Job Description

Department: Operations
Reports to: Senior Director of Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment
Status: Full-time position
Purpose:
Reporting to the Senior Director of Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment, this position serves as the site’s subject matter expert in health, safety, and environmental practices. The role is responsible for advancing and embedding the HSE agenda by supporting the effective management of corporate programs, employee education, and the implementation of policies and procedures.

Operating in close collaboration with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and other key stakeholders, the incumbent will drive safety awareness and foster a culture of accountability within their span of influence. Success in this role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, with a strong focus on regulatory compliance, claims management, and local WSIB administration.

The HSE Specialist is a highly interactive, shop-floor–based role, encompassing daily walkarounds, employee engagement, problem-solving, monitoring, and wellness initiatives. This position demands a safety-first mindset, a collaborative approach, and the resilience to thrive in a high-demand environment while ensuring the protection and well-being of all employees.

Key Responsibilities:
• Provide leadership in site Health & Safety, fostering a culture of safety-first practices.
• Actively participate in and support the Joint Health and Safety Committee.
• Maintain and enhance the Occupational Health, Safety & Environmental (OHSE) compliance management system.
• Coordinate and participate in internal and external OHSE audits and inspections.
• Report and analyze incidents, delivering actionable insights to drive continuous improvement in workplace safety and loss control.
• Manage and coordinate site return-to-work programs.
• Track, coordinate, and ensure completion of all OHSE training programs.
• Lead and follow up on investigations and corrective actions related to accidents, environmental spills, and other non-conformances.
• Support environmental affairs, including approvals, monitoring, reporting, hazardous materials management, waste disposal, and overall waste management.
• Collaborate with construction contractors to strengthen safety awareness and practices through site monitoring, inspections, incident investigations, and in-house training sessions.
• Conduct ergonomic assessments, safety mapping, and toolbox talks to promote employee well-being.
• Coordinate and investigate Near Miss program activities, ensuring timely follow-up and resolution.
• Maintain OHSE bulletin boards to ensure visibility of key information and updates.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Health & Safety or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience as a Health, Safety & Environment Specialist or equivalent role.
• Certified Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Ontario health, safety, and environmental regulations, principles, and practices.
• Experience in large production, warehouse and distribution environments with automated equipment and powered lifting equipment.
• Background in audit training and facilitation considered an asset.
• Exceptional attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated change management and influencing skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks and meet firm deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Gay Lea Foods is a leading Canadian dairy co-operative renowned for producing high-quality, nutritious dairy products that Canadian families love and trust. From farm to table, our 1,200 farmer members in Ontario and Manitoba, and more than 1,200 employees across four provinces, work together to nourish communities through award-winning brands including Gay Lea, Nordica, Salerno, Bothwell Cheese, and more. As part of its deeply rooted, balanced commitment to people, profit, and planet, Gay Lea Foods proudly invests one percent of pre-tax earnings back into Canadian communities through a national food security partnership with Second Harvest, and the community-building efforts of the Gay Lea Foundation. To learn more, visit gayleafoods.com.
Gay Lea Foods is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in our workplace.
Reasonable accommodation is available upon request throughout our recruitment and selection process.
Gay Lea Foods may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the recruitment process, including screening and assessment.
We are currently accepting applications for this open position.
Thank you for your interest in Gay Lea Foods.
Wishing you all the best with your career search!