Director Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP)

Who we are

Skjodt-Barrett is a world-class manufacturer of food solutions and custom ingredients for North America's most beloved and trusted brands. We take pride in working closely with our customers to understand their unique needs and create innovative, individualized solutions that deliver joy to their customers.

A family-founded company started over 35 years ago, we are backed by the investment company Axel Johnson Inc (AJI). With their investment and support, we are well-positioned to foster growth and explore new opportunities.

Our customers, blue-chip international brands and mid-sized producers alike, are why we exist. Our teams of innovators, communicators, and managers are the people who meet their needs, build trust, and exceed their expectations. 

Who we need

Reporting to the Chief People Officer, we are looking for a Director Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) to join our team. As our new Director HRBP, you will blend strategy with hands-on execution to support building high-performing teams throughout our organization. You will foster trusting partnerships across the business and drive impactful talent strategies aligned with company objectives. You will leverage your experience to advise leaders and drive success in performance optimization, employee relations, engagement, talent development, and more.  If you are passionate about driving change and excited by the challenge of shaping something new, this is the perfect role for you.

This is a hybrid role working 2-3 days per week onsite at our cutting-edge facility in Brampton, Ontario.

Who you are

You are an experienced HR Business Partner eager for the next career growth opportunity to manage and execute strategic change while taking ownership of a broad range of people-focused responsibilities. Driven by a passion for people and culture and strong core values, you believe every action and conversation reflects on your organization, presenting an invaluable opportunity to make a meaningful impact and foster engagement. With extensive experience in transformation, you excel in advising and supporting functional leaders and aligning people and culture initiatives with business needs. 

What's in it for you

Influence and Exposure. You want to step into a pivotal Senior HR Business Partner role at an organization revitalized by dynamic new leadership and private equity investment. You will have the chance to design and implement strategic plans that make a tangible impact on the bottom line. This is a greenfield opportunity to build and nurture a thriving team environment from the ground up.

Impact and Autonomy. As a leader, you will have the autonomy to apply your insights to design and implement innovative processes and directly measure the impact of your contributions. You will work closely with a leadership team known for their dynamism, humility, and intelligence—qualities that make this group stand out in the industry. The speed at which you can make an impact here is unmatched, with minimal bureaucracy and politics. You will be part of a culture that values quick, effective action and genuine, smart leadership.

Career Development. At Skjodt-Barrett, we are committed to fostering career growth and transformation. This role offers you a unique opportunity to significantly advance your career, working alongside driven and supportive leaders through a substantial business and HR transformation. You will be able to grow rapidly, tackle new challenges, and receive the coaching and support necessary to prepare for future HR leadership roles. By leveraging the network of HR professionals at other AJI companies, you will have access to a wealth of resources and expertise to guide your professional development and success.

How you will make an impact:

• Partner with senior leadership. You will work closely with senior leaders to understand and address their business goals. You will partner with them to create and execute a talent strategy, influencing senior leadership on overcoming barriers to success, and driving proactive solutions. You will identify opportunities to optimize organizational design and workforce planning, ensuring our approaches are both effective and efficient.
• Support team performance and development. As an advisor, you will support leaders in enhancing team performance through various initiatives, including performance reviews, feedback, coaching, and career development. You will play a key role in developing leadership capabilities by guiding them on best practices for talent management, such as organizational design, performance management, and succession planning. Your efforts will contribute to building a high-performance environment where leaders and teams thrive.
• Be a source of support. You will be a vital source of expertise, guiding complex employee relations and talent management challenges. You will collaborate with peers to address and resolve issues promptly and sensitively. You will drive continuous improvement by identifying areas for impactful change, ensuring that our talent management practices evolve and remain effective.
• Foster relationships. Working alongside the Chief People Officer and the broader people team, leveraging cross-functional knowledge to empower and support a high-performing organization. You will guide the HR team across Canada and the US in transforming our HR function, enhancing strategic business partnering, and improving service delivery. Partnering with external talent acquisition resources, you’ll support strategic hiring initiatives to meet organizational needs.

What you bring to the role:

• The experience. As an HR Business Partner, you bring expertise in advising functional leaders and aligning people programs with business needs. With deep knowledge of performance management, total rewards, employee relations, and culture, you’re skilled in navigating complex environments. As a strategic thought leader, you can independently execute your ideas and champion plans while remaining open and flexible to feedback. You have an in-depth understanding of employment standards and applicable employment legislation across Canada. US HR experience would be an asset.
• The consulting approach. You are a trusted partner, empowering your clients with strategies and tools to meet business goals. Building strong relationships, you influence without authority, always seeking to understand root causes and propose solutions. 
• The project management skills. You identify gaps, propose solutions, and see initiatives through from planning to rollout. You adapt seamlessly to shifting priorities and ensure projects meet deliverables, budget, and timing.
• The interpersonal skills. You have outstanding professional written, verbal, and presentation skills. You can navigate conflict, manage stressful situations, mediate, and facilitate discussions at the senior leadership level. You can work across teams and with any stakeholder level. You genuinely appreciate and actively promote diverse experiences and backgrounds. You have a proven ability to influence and drive change, and you are interested in understanding others, hearing their perspectives, and addressing their concerns. 
• The accountability. You take ownership of your work and its impact, appreciating diverse perspectives and fostering a collaborative culture. You are driven, humble, and a team player committed to driving success.

Why join?

We've got great taste. We care deeply about fostering a culture of transparency, responsibility, and integrity. It's what drives us to make great-tasting, convenient, and healthy ingredients and finished products that our customers depend on. With a focus on nurturing and growing our employees' careers and professional satisfaction, we believe in open communication, idea sharing, and knowledge building. Skjodt-Barrett is committed to building an inclusive culture that helps to create longevity, growth, and innovation in the food industry.

We are working towards a sustainable future. We believe that what's good for people and the planet is good for profit. It is everyone's responsibility to do their part. We recognize the growing need to prioritize sustainability in manufacturing, and we continue to take steps to evolve. We strive to accelerate the adoption of sustainable packaging and food products to be a responsible partner for our customers and for the greater good. We take our role as a supply chain partner to heart and adhere to a strict Supplier Code of Conduct to ensure that our vendors uphold the integrity and values we live by.

We believe actions speak louder than words. Every day, we come together to exceed the expectations of our customers, each other and ourselves, inspired by our values:

• We care. About family, honesty, and respect.
• We communicate. Across every level, often, effectively, and clearly.
• We Empower. With trust, integrity, and accountability.
• We Deliver. Every time, through teamwork, innovation, and results.

We support and care for our employees and their families. 

Benefits and perks we offer include comprehensive health, dental, paramedical and long term disability. 

Apply now.

At Skjodt-Barrett, we aim for diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion in all of our operations and interactions. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and want to play an integral role in delivering innovative food product solutions, apply to express your interest. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

1. A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor to discuss your interest in the role and the company.
2. A 30-minute virtual interview with the Chief People Officer to review your experience.
3. An in-person, situational interview with the Chief People Officer, providing an opportunity to ask about the organization's change management initiatives.
4. An onsite plant tour and final interview with key Executive Leadership team members. This will give you a firsthand look at the plant setup, a chance to meet the leaders you'll be working with, and an opportunity to ask questions about the working environment.

Skjodt-Barrett welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Please let us know what accommodations you require across the selection process.

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