Current Opportunities

People & Culture Director | Western Milk Pool

The Organization

The Western Milk Pool (WMP) represents the association of dairy producers for the four Western Canadian provinces, including BC Milk Marketing Board, BC Dairy, Alberta Milk, SaskMilk, and the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba.

At the WMP, we believe that our strength lies in our unity and shared vision. We are more than an association; we are a culture-driven organization committed to becoming better together in all aspects of our journey. Our dedication to fostering a thriving dairy industry and promoting sustainable practices is not just a goal but a passion that resonates internally and externally.

As we embark on this transformative path, we recognize that the leadership position of Interim People & Culture Director holds a pivotal role in shaping our collective future. This position serves as a guiding compass, helping us navigate the foundation of transformation and steering us towards a more innovative, inclusive, and adaptive workplace. You will play a crucial role in nurturing a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. Your insights and expertise in organizational transformation will be instrumental in shaping our path forward, as we strive to meet the dynamic challenges of the dairy industry and beyond.

Together, as a culture-driven organization, we aim to leave a positive mark not only within our association but also in the broader dairy community and the world we serve. Join us in this transformative journey, where every step we take reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, sustainability, and becoming better together for Canadian dairy.

Vision: Better together for Canadian dairy.

Mission: Inspiring, innovating, and collaborating to build a healthy Canadian dairy industry.

Our guiding behaviors: ‘Think bigger,’ ‘Win-win,’ and ‘Fact-based,’ serve as the foundation for our culture. As the Interim People & Culture Director, you will play a crucial role in embedding these values in our workplace.

Learn more about the WMP here: Western Milk Pool Transformation Approved – BC Dairy

 

The Opportunity

Reports to:	Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports:	3; 1 HR Generalist and 2 Consultants
Location:	Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, or Regina with at-home-based arrangements – travel will be required to each location. Please note this is NOT a fully remote position.
Employment Type:	This is a full-time position with an approximate 12-month term to cover maternity leave, with the potential for consultancy-based work post term.

 

The Mandate

• Executing our HR strategies that align with our organizational goals and objectives;
• Leading a small team of internal staff and consultants;
• Bringing your expertise in organizational transformation to drive change and facilitate the transition to a more agile and adaptive workforce;
• Utilizing your expertise in organization design to align our structure, roles, and processes with our strategic objectives;
• Culture and Values: Recognizing the importance of culture and values in attracting and retaining top talent. Collaborate with stakeholders to cultivate a positive and inclusive work environment that reflects our desired culture;
• Fact-based decision-making: Utilizing data-driven insights and project management skills to launch, evaluate, and enhance people programs, policies, and procedures;
• Win–Win: Driving talent management initiatives, including career development, succession planning, and employee retention strategies; and
• Leadership Coaching: Providing leadership coaching and development opportunities to our senior executives. Supporting their growth and helping them unleash their full potential as they navigate through organizational challenges.

 

Key Accountabilities

Organizational Transformation

• Collaborating with the executive leadership team to effectively address the diverse and interdependent strategic and operational requirements concerning people and culture. Your insights and guidance will enable us to embrace the evolving landscape and nurture a culture of continual progress and improvement, furthering our mission of fostering unity and collaboration within the Canadian dairy industry.

Competitive Compensation and Benefit Programs

• With our leadership team, you will design and implement cutting-edge compensation and benefit programs. Your expertise will help us attract top talent, retain our exceptional employees, and ensure that our organizations remain at the forefront of the industry.

Inclusive Culture and Diversity

• We believe in fostering a workplace that embraces diversity, innovation, and mutual respect. Your passion for inclusivity will drive initiatives to build an even stronger culture where everyone feels valued, engaged, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

Leadership and Employee Training

• Develop and deliver impactful training programs that empower our leaders and employees to grow personally and professionally. Your creativity and expertise will shape the learning journey for our team members, enabling them to excel and drive our organizations forward.

 

HR Policy Alignment across Multiple Organizations

• We operate across four provinces and five organizations, and your skills in HR policy alignment will be crucial in streamlining processes, ensuring consistency, and adhering to relevant regulations. Your ability to navigate diverse jurisdictions will be the key to our collective success.

Reward & Recognition Program

• Make a lasting impact by spearheading the development and implementation of a comprehensive Reward & Recognition Program. Acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional contributions of our employees, creating a culture of appreciation and motivation.

 

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have the following:

Education:

• Preferred: Degree in HR Management and/or CPHR or equivalent.

 

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including 5+ years in senior leadership.

 

Competencies and Attributes:

Organizational Transformation

• We seek an individual with a proven track record in driving organizational transformation with a hands-on approach. Your experience in leading change initiatives will be pivotal as we shape our workplace to be more agile, innovative, and adaptable to meet future demands.

Pension, Union, and Benefits

• To thrive in this role, you will leverage your extensive expertise in pension administration, union relations, and benefits management. Your in-depth knowledge of these critical areas will enable you to implement effective programs and policies that support our employees’ financial well-being and job satisfaction.

Multi-jurisdiction/Provincial

• As our organization operates across multiple regions, you must be well-versed in navigating the complexities of multi-jurisdictional and provincial HR regulations and legislation. Ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations will be instrumental in our continued success and growth.

 

Equal Opportunity

The WMP is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and is essential to service excellence. The WMP welcomes applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, members of racialized communities, indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity to confidentially self-identify at time of application.  In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Gallagher and the WMP throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

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How to Apply:

Please send your resume in Word or PDF format to: HRCCCanada.GBS.EdmontonPIES@ajg.com. Copy and Paste the following job title and code and place it in the subject line of your email so we can identify the job and confirm receipt of your application:
AJMG-356266 People & Culture Director | Western Milk Pool - AB - Edmonton and AreaBC - Vancouver and AreaMB - WinnipegSK - Regina (OTIAPPLY)

Please note that only those candidates meeting the selection criteria, established by our client, will be contacted further. Although we may not contact you directly for this particular role, all applications will be reviewed as we would like to consider you for future opportunities that may be appropriate. We encourage you to continue to visit our website at optimumtalent.com as our opportunities are updated on a regular basis.