Director, Technical Service

The Opportunity: The Director of Technical Services leads the Central Technical Services Department and oversees the Maple Leaf Foods (MLF) Processing Facilities laboratories. This role provides strategic direction, leadership, and talent development, as well as ensuring food safety and exceeding customer requirements. By applying a continuous improvement approach, maintaining a cost-conscious mindset, and driving innovation, the Director ensures the highest standards are met. Additionally, the role offers technical support to a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders, including executive senior leadership and plant senior leaders. Excelling in laboratory management and cross-functional business engagement, the Director leverages strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by February 10. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration. Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Oversee chemical and microbiological operations at the Central Laboratory (Corporate Laboratories).
• Coach and support Processing Plant Laboratories across Canada, ensuring consistent application of MLF laboratory practices and procedures.
• Conduct annual and periodic performance reviews with direct reports to set expectations, identify strengths and development opportunities, and address performance issues.
• Develop and update a 5-year Technical Service Strategy and roadmap initiatives to ensure continuous improvement, innovation, and waste elimination in the lab. Set, adjust, and communicate expectations, set goals, assess gaps, provide feedback, review results, and support the Technical Services team.
• Build relationships with peers and MLF functional leaders to provide solutions to business problems.
• Prepare and monitor Corporate Laboratories and Functional annual budgets and capital estimates on equipment expenditures. Continuously seek waste elimination and cost reduction through annual projects and a "just do it" approach.
• Support programs and initiatives to ensure Standards Council of Canada/ISO 17025 compliance at accredited laboratories, including participation in annual laboratory objectives and management review.
• Oversee standardization initiatives for laboratory technologies and methodologies, including sustainability initiatives and promoting "Green Lab" practices.
• Stay updated on current government regulations, procedures, and industry standards impacting MLF laboratories.
• Support the GFSI - BRC initiative, including conducting Annual Internal Laboratory Assessments at non-accredited laboratories and issuing assessment reports.
• Assess and recommend new technologies, procedures, test methods, and instrumentation impacting MLF laboratories, and provide recommendations for improvement. Adapt and improve existing laboratory techniques and methods; approve analytical and quality procedure protocols (SOPs), validations/verifications, measurement of uncertainty reports, and project reports.
• Interpret scientific data and assess potential risks/impact to the organization.
• Support the creation, standardization, implementation, and maintenance of the Laboratory Quality Management System.
• Ensure the Quality Management and Technical Teams have the authority and resources necessary to obtain laboratory equipment, supplies, and services, and personnel as required to maintain the good standing of the Laboratory and Accreditation program. Continuously work to improve the Quality Management System.
• Ensure Laboratory Managers and personnel are free from internal and external pressures that could compromise competence, impartiality, judgment, or operational integrity.

What Youll Bring:

• Minimum: Degree in Microbiology and/ or Chemistry or Biology/Food Science with emphasis on food/environmental biology.
• Minimum 10 years of analytical experience in a Microbiology and/or Chemistry Laboratory, preferably in the meat, dairy or food processing industry.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership roles in Quality Assurance and/or Food Safety.
• Exceptional problem-solving, troubleshooting skills and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated time management, multi-tasking and priority setting skills.
• Highly diligent and organized, working well in a team as well as individually.
• Proven ability to influence and impact others at various levels within the organization.
• Knowledge and experience in the area of change management processes and techniques, coupled with experience in implementing and developing continuous improvement programs.
• Able to effectively coach and mentor staff, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to deal with people professionally.
• Ability to adapt to a changing work environment and to learn quickly.
• Ability to travel as is required by the business

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• Strategic thinking and effective execution.

• In depth knowledge of ISO 17025; Food chemistry and microbiology methods and procedures, laboratory processes, including government requirements and regulations required for food testing in established food processing facilities
• In depth knowledge of accredited scope addition requirements for testing laboratories including proficiency testing programs, accuracy trueness, cross reactivity, method uncertainty, precision, MDL, LOQ, RDI, linear range, working ranges, robustness, stability, inter and intra assay variation and fit for-purpose
• Skilled change agent demonstrated through the ability to work with people consistent with the Leadership Values to reach desired outcomes.
• Use of 6- sigma tools for design of experiments, strong analytical skills and able to translate data into information and insights to connect with the intended audiences
• Effective situational leadership demonstrated by applying the appropriate leadership style for given situations. Willing team player by helping others, including laboratory customers
• Effective communication skills written, verbal, with scientific, technical and non-technical audiences including Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• Knowledge and implementation of laboratory sustainability (Green Lab) actions that support the companys vision and sustainability targets
• Active learner and keeps informed on new technologies that support laboratory growth, efficiencies, reduction of risk and innovation
• Budget management including preparation of annual budget including head count requirements, preventative maintenance programs, testing costs and analysis of budget variations. This includes the generation of capital expense requests and requirements and writing business cases for new equipment acquisitions
• Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), system upgrades data security systems that impact laboratory data management.

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• A hybrid work model that embraces remote work for eligible roles, helping team members achieve work-life balancecombining the best of both spending time working remotely, benefitting from focus time, and purposeful collaboration in the office setting.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, speaker series events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us: Were a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Lets build a better future, together.

Were passionate about food. For more than 100 years, weve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf, Schneiders, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co. Were on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company not just in Canada but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

Were a global food company with more than 13,500 team members. We operate sites in 20+ locations across Canada. We also have locations in the U.S. and Mexico, and do business in Asia. A diverse and inclusive work environment Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. Were so much stronger when we know were accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace. We embrace a strong, values-based culture Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

• Doing Whats Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team ataccommodations@mapleleaf.com.

Disclaimer: Please note that salaries posted on sites other than the MLF Careers Page are not a reflection of Maple Leaf Foods and are an estimated salary range provided by that particular job board. Maple Leaf Foods offers competitive wages and an attractive total rewards package, which will be discussed during an interview with our Talent Team.

#LI-Hybrid