Manager of People and Culture

Our client, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (The Food Bank), founded in 1984, was the first organization of its kind in Ontario dedicated to providing emergency food. Forty-one years after incorporation, The Food Bank continues to evolve to meet the community’s needs so that no one in Waterloo region experiences hunger. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region functions as a distribution centre, so they don’t give out food directly from their location. Instead, they work with the Cambridge Food Bank to lead the Community Food Assistance Network. This means they acquire essential food items, fulfill orders, and distribute fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to partner organizations across Waterloo region. The Network consists of 54 organizations and 132 food assistance programs.

The Manager of People and Culture, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, is a trusted advisor and visible member of their leadership team. They are looking for someone who can create systems and develop programs, coach and advise a diverse team of staff and volunteers, be a subject matter expert and problem solve with positivity and flexibility. The direct reports will include the People and Culture Coordinator, the Volunteer Program Coordinator, and the Newcomer Program Coordinator, who will look to this role for direction and support on day-to-day activities and development of annual work plans.

The short-term responsibilities of this role may change from year-to-year, as priorities of The Food Bank change.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing and implementing strategies that foster a positive and engaged workplace culture, as well as managing HR policies and practices to support employee well-being and development. Implementing and updating Human Resources policies and procedures while ensuring compliance with all relevant employment laws and regulations. Ensure a smooth onboarding process for new team members ensuring compliance and culture is being upheld.
• Ensuring effective Human Resources administration. Leading processes and support people leaders on recruitment, hiring, performance management, employee relations, learning and development, job design, employee onboarding, health and safety, and terminations and leaves.
• Oversee and manage payroll and compensation framework with input into the annual budgeting process.
• In collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer and other Food Bank leaders, help provide input into the strategic people planning initiatives including enhancements to volunteer team supports.
• Provide day to day support to the Human Resources mandate that drive business results and community impact.
• Integrating principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (IDEA) in all organizational people practices.
• Driving culture through delivering programs, events, and impactful internal communication strategies.
• Act as oversight and support to the social committee ensuring the events of the committee are in line with the core values of the organization and ensuring resources are used to foster the core values and culture.
• Report on social committee activities in management meetings.
• Manage the recruitment process by drafting interview questionnaires, conducting pre-screening activities, candidate testing, panel interviews and references; participate in hiring decisions and prepare written offers.
• Create and maintain an employee value proposition as it relates to recruitment, to attract and retain new and current staff.
• Maintaining and reporting on workplace health and safety compliance.
• Oversee the WSIB process including Form 7 reporting, WSIB case management and coordinating return to work arrangements.
• Manage non-occupational injuries and return to work.
• Administer and coordinate leaves and manage communication when necessary.
• Developing clear policies and ensuring policy awareness.
• Maintain compliance with changing legislation, maintaining an up to date policy manual.
• Working with employment lawyer on matters as required.
• Ensuring relevance and are up to date on changing legislation and able to incorporate changes into HR policies and programs.
• Maintain and ensure compliance for Image Canada and Food Banks Canada Accreditation.
• Training, counseling, and coaching staff.
• Resolving conflicts through positive and professional mediation.
• Handling workplace investigations, disciplinary, and termination procedures.
• Serve as a link between management and employees by providing knowledgeable counsel on questions, interpreting, and administering contracts and policies striving to resolve work-related issues.
• Conduct exit interviews. Model positive, constructive communications, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region values and related core competencies. Coach staff to enhance demonstration of values-driven behaviours.
• Overseeing the day-to-day management of the HR team, which includes 3 direct reports: the People and Culture Coordinator. Volunteer Coordinator and Newcomer Program Coordinator.
• Training, counselling and coaching HR team member.
• Maintaining employee and workplace privacy.
• Compile statistical reports and metrics concerning HR related data such as turnover, absenteeism, hiring and identify solutions and make recommendations.
• Giving helpful and engaging presentations.
• Assist with development and delivery of training materials.
• HRIS: Accountable for end-to-end function of the system. Act as primary liaison with the vendor.
  
  
  

Qualifications And Experience

• Post-secondary education in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Canadian Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and/or Canadian Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior management/leadership role with demonstrated success in Human Resources responsibilities.
• Experience with ADP Payroll system.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of Human Resources Information Systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable employment legislation, including but not limited to the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
• Experience managing staff and financial resources.
• Demonstrated understanding of organizational behaviour.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of employee engagement and performance management frameworks.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of financial systems.
• Understanding of volunteer management principles and/or personal volunteer experience at a managerial level.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of issues surrounding hunger, low income, and poverty an asset.
• Understanding of the operational realities facing food banks and other partners an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of change management principles and practices
  
  
  

Why Work for The Food Bank of Waterloo Region?

• We have a passion to live our mission - to channel our community’s energy so no one goes hungry - and are committed to helping obtain and distribute emergency food from our neighbours for our neighbours.
• Our employees and volunteers are invested in and passionate about the work they do and are inspired to drive thoughtful innovation and growth.
• We take the work seriously but try not to take ourselves too seriously; we understand the importance of the work we do and teamwork while balancing fun, excitement, and camaraderie in the workplace.
  
  
  

What benefits does The Food Bank offer?

Some benefits and perks provided by The Food Bank of Waterloo Region include:

• Competitive salaries/wages! We’re a proud certified Living Wage Employer (Ontario Living Wage Network). We believe that all employees should be paid an hourly wage that allows them to meet their basic needs (such as food, shelter, and clothing) while also participating in community life.
• Dental, drug, and supplemental healthcare coverage for individuals, couples, or family.
• A mental health and well-being focus with short-term counselling and resources provided by our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and up to $1000 per year in counselling services.
• Vision care coverage.
• An RRSP matching program.
• A Healthcare Spending Account and Lifestyle Spending Account.
• A Bring Your Own Device allowance to cover work-related cell phone use.
• Professional dues and association fee coverage.
• A generous vacation package, paid sick and family responsibility days, paid floating days, and birthday off.
• Hybrid work environment (where applicable).
  
  
  

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