Manager, HR - Leave Administration (Contract Position)

Hungry for a career that’s as rewarding as it is delicious?

At Aspire Bakeries, we don’t just bake breads, cookies, and cakes - we create foods that bring people together. From La Brea Bakery artisan breads to Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, our products are enjoyed by millions of people every day. And behind every bite are talented manufacturing and support teams who take pride in their work and our food.

We’re looking for hard-working people who will bring integrity, creativity, and a passion for excellence to everything they do - whether that’s on the bakery floor, in the office, or supporting customers. In return, we offer a workplace culture built on care, ownership, and growth - where your contributions matter and your career can rise as high as our bread loaves!

With 13 commercial bakeries across North America and a reputation as an industry leader, Aspire Bakeries is rising together with our people and our customers to be the best all-around bakery solution. If you’re ready to grow with us, we’d love to hear from you

Why You’ll Love Working At Aspire Bakeries

• Culture - Our culture thrives on collaboration, diversity, and a shared passion for excellence. We support team members, empower growth, and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.
• Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-paid life insurance and additional voluntary options to fit your needs, including disability coverage.
• Work-Life Balance – Paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and holidays so you can recharge and spend time on what matters most.
• Retirement Savings – A competitive registered retirement plan (RPP) with immediate company match.
• Growth & Development – Opportunities to build skills, grow your career, and develop expertise through Aspire Bakeries’ learning and development programs.
• Recognition & Rewards – Performance incentive plans that celebrate achievements across sales, bakery performance, and individual contributions.

About the Role

We are seeking a Leave Administration Manager to join our team at our Brantford location. As a Leave Administration Manager, you will provide strategic and operational oversight of the company’s leave of absence programs across Canada, ensuring legislative compliance, effective vendor management, and a consistent, high‑quality employee leave experience. This role partners closely with HR leadership and cross‑functional teams to support employee well‑being and mitigate risk.

This is a 12-18month contract position. This role requires you to be onsite in Brantford four days per week, providing hands‑on collaboration with the team and direct exposure to the pulse of the business.

Compensation

• Salary Range: $100,000 – $115,000

Core Accountabilities (What You’ll Be Doing)

• Lead and manage relationships with third‑party leave administrators to ensure service quality, timeliness, and SLA compliance.
• Ensure compliance with provincial employment standards and human rights legislation, partnering with Legal to mitigate risk.
• Own and maintain leave policies, procedures, and employee communications, ensuring consistency and alignment with legislative changes.
• Provide expert consultation to HRBPs and leaders on leave eligibility, documentation, workflows, and return‑to‑work coordination.
• Design and deliver training, tools, and resources to support consistent and compliant leave administration practices.
• Drive continuous process improvements to reduce cycle times, errors, and escalations.
• Analyze leave data and trends to deliver actionable insights on operational impact and risk to leadership.

Minimum Qualifications (What You Bring to the Table)

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in leave management, benefits administration, or HR compliance.
• Strong working knowledge of provincial employment standards, human rights legislation, and leave requirements.
• Demonstrated experience managing third‑party vendors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with regulatory benefits compliance and project management in deadline‑driven environments.
• Excellent communication, consulting, and interpersonal skills with a high level of discretion.

Preferred Qualifications (Extra Ingredients for Success)

• Direct experience with Cowan Benefits, Manulife, or similar leave administration vendors.
• Experience supporting multi‑province organizations with complex jurisdictional requirements.
• Familiarity with disability management, workers’ compensation, and integrated leave programs.

Call to Action

Ready to grow your career with a company that values your work and your future?

Apply today and become part of our team at Aspire Bakeries!

We thank each applicant for taking the time and effort to submit a resume; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.