Job Description
HR Manager (Operations \& Safety Focus)
About Farm Girl
Farm Girl is a proudly Canadian food and beverage company focused on better-for-you products with scaled retail distribution. As production demand grows, we are strengthening our people, safety, and operational foundations to support a high-performing manufacturing environment.
Position Overview
The HR Manager will lead all human resources functions with a strong focus on
supporting plant operations, frontline leadership, and workplace safety
. This role is deeply embedded in the day-to-day realities of a manufacturing facility, working closely with the Plant Manager and Production Supervisors to drive performance, engagement, and compliance.
This individual will act as the
management representative on the Joint Health \& Safety Committee (JHSC)
and own all aspects of safety training and compliance in accordance with Ontario regulations.
Key Responsibilities
HR Business Partner to Operations
- Partner closely with the
Plant Manager and Production Supervisors
to support daily workforce needs and operational goals
- Provide guidance on employee relations, attendance management, and performance issues on the production floor
- Support workforce planning, scheduling practices, and labour optimization in a shift-based environment
- Act as a trusted advisor to frontline leaders, building their capability in people management
Health, Safety \& Regulatory Compliance
- Own and continuously improve the company’s health and safety program in alignment with the Occupational Health and Safety Act
(OHSA)
- Serve as the
certified management representative on the JHSC
, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements (meetings, inspections, recommendations, and follow-ups)
- Manage all Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
(WSIB)
processes including claims management, return-to-work programs, and reporting
- Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation
- Ensure the plant is always audit-ready and compliant with provincial regulations
Safety Training \& Culture
- Design, implement, and track all mandatory safety training (e.g., WHMIS, workplace violence/harassment, PPE, equipment safety)
- Partner with Production Supervisors to ensure consistent training execution on the floor
- Champion a
“safety-first” culture
through coaching, communication, and leadership engagement
- Monitor training compliance and maintain accurate records
Employee Relations \& Performance Management
- Lead employee relations matters including investigations, conflict resolution, and progressive discipline
- Coach supervisors on performance management, documentation, and employment standards compliance
- Support onboarding and retention strategies for hourly production employees
- Promote a fair, respectful, and inclusive workplace aligned with Canadian employment standards
Policies, Compliance \& Administration
- Ensure compliance with
Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA)
and other applicable labour legislation
- Develop, update, and enforce HR policies and workplace procedures
- Maintain employee records, HRIS systems, and reporting metrics
- Support audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions
Qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally in
food manufacturing or CPG environments
- Strong working knowledge of Ontario labour laws, including OHSA, WSIB, and ESA
- Experience working directly with
production teams or plant operations
- Experience serving on or leading a
Joint Health \& Safety Committee (JHSC)
- Proven ability to deliver
hands-on safety training
in a manufacturing setting
- Strong employee relations and conflict resolution experience
Preferred
- Experience in food, beverage, or other regulated manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with GMP and food safety standards
- CHRP or CHRL designation (or in progress)
- First Aid / Health \& Safety certifications
Key Competencies
- Practical, floor-oriented leadership style
- Strong understanding of manufacturing workforce dynamics
- Confident communicator with frontline and leadership teams
- Highly organized with strong follow-through
- Proactive problem-solver with a compliance mindset
Why Join Farm Girl?
- Be part of a growing Canadian food brand scaling its operations
- Work closely with operations leadership to shape culture and performance
- High-impact role with ownership over safety and people systems
- Fast-paced, collaborative, and entrepreneurial environment