Director of Labour and Employee Relations

Gordon Food Service, North America's largest family-operated food distribution company, is seeking a strategic labour relations and positive employee relations partner to champion its relationship with employees and cultivate a work environment that does not require unionization. The right candidate will have a strong labour relations background with experience fostering employee engagement and resolving conflicts to ensure a positive employee experience across the organization.

Reports to : Senior Director, HR Canada and Senior Director, HR US

Job Summary :

The Director of Labour and Employee Relations will lead the strategic direction and management of labour relations activities and play a key role in promoting a positive employee culture. This individual will develop labour relations strategies, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, resolve labour disputes, and foster productive relationships between the company, its employees, and their representative organizations. This role will work closely with senior leadership to align labour and employee relations initiatives with the company's business goals and objectives to ensure a positive and harmonious work environment while protecting the company's interests.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Labour Relations

1. Develops and implements comprehensive labour relations strategies to support the organization's goals and objectives.
2. Ensures the company's labor relations practices comply with all applicable laws and regulations, such as provincial labour and employment related legislation.
3. Leads collective bargaining negotiations with labour unions, ensuring agreements align with company objectives and comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
4. Develops strategies for contract negotiations, prepares proposals, and facilitates discussions with union representatives.
5. Contributes to the company's overall strategic planning process, providing input on labour relations issues and their potential impact on business operations.
6. Serves as the primary point of contact for resolving labour disputes, grievances, and disciplinary actions.
7. Represents the company in arbitration proceedings, if necessary.
8. Collaborates with legal counsel to manage arbitration cases and other labour-related legal proceedings.
9. Identifies and mitigates risks associated with labour relations and advises leadership on best practices to avoid potential disputes.
10. Investigates and resolves employee grievances and disputes, working to prevent escalation to arbitration or litigation.
11. Collaborates with legal to represent the company in legal proceedings related to labour relations matters.
12. Develops and delivers training programs for managers and supervisors on labour relations, such as contract administration, grievance handling, dispute resolution techniques and employee relations / labour relations best practices.
13. Maintains open communication and builds positive relationships with union leaders and representatives to foster a collaborative working environment.
14. Monitors union activities and assesses their impact on organizational operations and employee relations.
15. Analyzes labour relations data and trends to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.
16. Provides expert guidance to senior leadership on labour relations strategies and best practices by preparing reports and presentations on labour relations activities, strategies, and outcomes.
17. Remains updated on labour-related matters, trends, and best practices to manage labour issues proactively.
18. Hires appropriate direct reports to support overall labour relations and positive employee relations strategy.

Employee Relations

1. Foster employee engagement by designing and implementing programs that enhance employee satisfaction and retention.
2. Work with the HR department to conduct engagement surveys to identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes.
3. Serve as a trusted advisor for employee relations issues, supporting employees and management.
4. Develop and deliver training programs for leaders on effective communication, conflict management, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
5. Organize workshops to educate employees on their rights and encourage open dialogue.
6. Implement proactive strategies to maintain a union-free environment by addressing employee concerns and enhancing communication.
7. Promotes positive employee relations within the company in union and non-union environments and develops programs and initiatives to improve employee morale, communication, and engagement.

Skills :

1. Proven skills in negotiation, mediation, and effectively resolving conflicts.
2. Ability to lead and motivate a team of labour relations professionals.
3. Ability to think strategically, aligning labour relations strategies with overall business objectives.
4. High level of emotional intelligence to navigate interpersonal dynamics effectively.
5. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills for educating, influencing, and collaborating with stakeholders at all levels.
6. Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse individuals.
7. Proven ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced work setting in high-pressure situations.
8. Strong analytical abilities to identify issues and develop practical solutions.
9. Detail-oriented and highly organized, able to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Qualifications :

1. Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or a related field required. Master's degree or JD preferred.
2. Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in labour including collective bargaining, serving as lead negotiator, labour dispute resolution, maintaining union relationships and developing labour relations and positive employee relations strategies.
3. 3 or more years of management experience required at a senior level is required.
4. Thorough experience and understanding of all applicable laws and regulations, such as provincial labour and employment related legislation.
5. Experience in the food service industry, logistics, or distribution preferred.
6. Experience in a unionized environment within a large multinational company.