Director, People & Culture

Veterinary Purchasing Co. Ltd. (VP) is the largest veterinary-owned distributor in Canada. Located in St. Marys, Ontario, with a second warehouse in Moncton, New Brunswick, our primary purpose is to ensure that veterinarians have the supplies they need, when they need it, to provide healthcare to all types of animals. We are looking for a new member to join our Human Resources team in the Director, People & Culture role. Be a part of the supply chain industry and join VP!

Director, People & Culture

The Director, People & Culture provides strategic leadership for the organization’s Human Resources and Health & Safety functions. This role partners closely with senior leaders and people leaders to support workforce planning, employee relations, organizational effectiveness, legislative compliance, workplace safety and a positive employee experience.

The Director also leads the HR & Safety team and ensures programs, policies, systems and practices effectively support employees, operational needs and organizational goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR advice and coaching to senior leadership and people leaders on workforce, organizational and employee matters.
• Lead, coach and develop the HR & Safety team, establishing priorities and ensuring effective delivery of HR and safety services.
• Support workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning, business expansion and organizational change.
• Champion the organization’s culture and values and promote a respectful, inclusive, safe and productive workplace.
• Advise leaders on employee relations, attendance, performance management, discipline, conflict resolution and workplace concerns.
• Lead or oversee workplace investigations and other complex or sensitive employee matters.
• Provide guidance on terminations, restructuring, severance, employment agreements and employment-related risk.
• Ensure employee matters are handled consistently, fairly and in accordance with legislation, policies and organizational values.
• Oversee recruitment, selection, onboarding and employee lifecycle practices.
• Partner with leaders on workforce requirements, succession planning, employee development and retention strategies.
• Oversee performance management, training and leadership development programs.
• Lead employee engagement initiatives, including surveys, focus groups, recognition and organizational communication.
• Oversee compensation and total rewards programs, including job evaluation, salary structures, market benchmarking, benefits and retirement programs.
• Provide oversight of HR systems, payroll-related processes, time and attendance and employee data administration.
• Use workforce data and HR metrics to identify trends, risks and opportunities and support informed business decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve, streamline and automate HR processes and services.
• Lead the development, implementation and ongoing review of HR and workplace policies and procedures.
• Ensure employment practices comply with applicable employment standards, human rights, accessibility and other workplace legislation.
• Monitor legislative developments and assess their impact on organizational policies and practices.
• Provide guidance to leaders and employees on legislation, policies and workplace practices.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the organization’s occupational health and safety program and promote a strong safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation legislation, including training, inspections, documentation and reporting requirements.
• Oversee incident investigations, hazard assessments, corrective actions, workers’ compensation claims and return-to-work programs.
• Monitor safety performance and workplace risks and continuously improve programs that prevent injuries and support safe operations.

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP):

• Follows and understands all relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with respect to Good Manufacturing Practices

Company Culture:

• Demonstrates a commitment to VP’s core values of service, care, respect, integrity, and community by incorporating these principles into daily work, decision-making, and interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders
• Embodies and promotes VP’s mission of delivering the highest level of service to our member practices through the personal actions of people care.

Skills and Knowledge Required

• Post-secondary education in Human Resources Management or a related discipline.
• CHRP/CHRL designation
• Minimum fifteen years of Human Resources experience in a leadership capacity and five years of occupational health and safety experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience actively participating on a Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience leading people, advising leaders and managing complex employee and workplace matters.
• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, employee relations, compensation, HR systems and occupational health and safety practices.
• Experience with UKG or a similar HCM platform is considered an asset.
• Bilingualism in English and French is considered an asset.

What you bring

• Strong leadership, coaching and relationship-building skills.
• Strategic thinking and business acumen, with the ability to connect people practices to organizational priorities.
• Sound judgment and the ability to navigate complex, confidential and sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong communication, influencing, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• A practical, solutions-focused approach with strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Strong organizational and change-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• The ability to balance employee experience, operational requirements, organizational objectives and legislative obligations.
• A demonstrated commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, inclusive and productive workplace.

Schedule and Hours of Work

• Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• In person

Location

This position will be located at VP’s Head Office in St Marys (485 Queen St W, St. Marys, ON N4X 1B7).

Compensation

$133,514.00 - $190,735.00

NOTE: Salary will be determined based on the successful applicant's experience and qualifications. This role also qualifies for an annual performance bonus.

Vacancy Reason

• Replacement

Why Choose VP?

• Competitive salary
• Employer-funded pension plan
• RRSP top-up program
• 100% employer-paid Health and Dental Benefit premiums, with option to enhance benefits coverage through employee co-pay
• Proud to support the local St. Marys' community
• Helping to serve the animal health industry in Canada
• Paid time off to volunteer

How to Apply:

Please apply online with your cover letter and resume at: https://vpcl.bamboohr.com/careers

Application Deadline: This role will remain posted until filled.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be acknowledged. No phone calls please.

Veterinary Purchasing Company Ltd. is committed to employment equity and welcomes diversity. In addition, Veterinary Purchasing Company Ltd. encourages applications from all qualified individuals including persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, women, and members of visible minorities.

Veterinary Purchasing Company Ltd. provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process. If you require accommodations to complete an application, please contact Human Resources [email protected] or call 519-284-1371 ext. 256 and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs.