People Experience Specialist - Manufacturing & Distribution

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a People Experience Specialist - Manufacturing & Distribution based in Canada. The People Experience Specialist serves as a trusted advisor to employees and leaders across North America, providing thoughtful guidance on complex workplace and people matters. You will play a central role in resolving employee relations issues while ensuring policies and employment standards are applied fairly and consistently. The position combines investigations, performance management, accommodations, workplace safety, leaves, compliance, and employee engagement. You will work closely with leaders and cross-functional teams to navigate sensitive situations and develop practical, well-informed solutions. The role also contributes to a positive employee experience by promoting wellbeing resources, gathering feedback, and identifying trends that can improve people practices. With a strong focus on confidentiality, objectivity, and sound judgment, you will help create a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace environment. This is a hands-on, fully onsite opportunity in the Toronto area, with regular travel across the market and North America as needed. Accountabilities: - Employee Relations: Independently manage and resolve a high volume of employee relations matters, including complaints, performance concerns, separations, terminations, leaves, time and attendance issues, and other sensitive workplace situations across North America. - Workplace Investigations: Lead thorough, objective investigations involving bullying, harassment, workplace violence, fitness for work, misconduct, and other employee concerns, maintaining detailed documentation and recommending appropriate resolutions.

- Leadership Partnership: Advise leaders at different levels on complex employee relations situations, conflict resolution, performance management, and the consistent application of people policies and practices. - Performance Management: Partner with managers to initiate, implement, and monitor performance improvement plans while providing ongoing coaching, guidance, and support. - Compliance & Employment Standards: Collaborate with Compliance to support adherence to employment standards, scheduling requirements, meal and break rules, work eligibility, mandatory training, health and safety requirements, and other applicable policies. - Accommodations & Leaves: Review accommodation requests and supporting documentation, partner with managers on appropriate solutions, and support return-to-work processes by coordinating between employees, managers, and benefits teams. - Workplace Safety & Claims: Support employee injury matters and workplace compensation claims while maintaining expertise in emergency protocols, safety procedures, and incident response. - Employee Engagement: Conduct quarterly site visits and people compliance and engagement audits, gather employee feedback, identify concerns, and facilitate constructive dialogue and resolution. - Organizational Changes: Independently coordinate temporary and permanent layoffs and shop closures, ensuring appropriate planning, compliance, communication, and execution. - Hiring & Onboarding: Support hiring activities and ensure internal stakeholders have the knowledge and resources needed for effective recruitment, onboarding, and staff training. - Employee Support: Act as a knowledgeable point of contact for employees, helping them navigate questions and concerns and directing them to the appropriate resources, teams, or processes. - Wellbeing & Benefits: Promote available wellbeing programs and resources, encourage employee participation, and collaborate with benefits teams to identify opportunities for improvement. - People Data & Insights: Collect accurate and relevant people data, identify trends, and report or escalate significant issues to the appropriate stakeholders.