Finance Lead - Operations

The Opportunity:

The Finance Lead, Prepared Foods Operations provides financial leadership for four manufacturing plants, centralized charges, and associated capital investments. Partnering closely with Operations leadership and Plant Managers, this role is accountable for budgeting, forecasting, reporting, controls, and financial analysis that drive strong operational and financial performance.

This is a hands-on, visible role within plant leadership teams, acting as a trusted advisor and business partner to support decision-making, cost discipline, and continuous improvement.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by Febrruary 20. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Lead plant-level financial reporting, forecasting, and period-end activities, delivering accurate daily, weekly, and monthly cost and performance insights.
• Partner with plant leadership to interpret results, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend actions to improve performance.
• Own annual budgeting and planning processes, including overheads, product costing, BOM (bill of material) updates, and capital expenditures.
• Support new product costing from development through launch and ensure product costs accurately reflect manufacturing processes.
• Review, challenge, and support capital business cases with robust financial analysis.
• Ensure strong financial controls and compliance with IFRS and corporate policies; support audits and control assessments.
• Track and validate site savings initiatives, including continuous improvement programs, and ensure accurate recording of Cost of Poor Quality.
• Actively support inventory management and site governance processes as a member of plant leadership teams.
• Lead, coach, and develop finance team members and build financial capability across non-finance leaders.

What You’ll Bring:

• Post-secondary education in Finance, Business, or a related field (required)
• Professional accounting designation (CPA/CA/CGA/CMA or equivalent)
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing costing experience in an ERP environment (SAP preferred)
• Previous people leadership or supervisory experience
• Strong ability to coach, mentor, and develop others in a team-based environment
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing setting
• Strong business acumen, analytical capability, and problem-solving skills, with high attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to clearly present financial information to non-finance audiences
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office

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.
• 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:

We’re 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. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf®, Schneiders®, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co.® We’re 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.

We’re a global food company with approximately 10,000 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. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re 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 What’s 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 at accommodations@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.

Our 13,500 team members work in 20+ locations across Canada and the U.S. Find out where our plants and offices are located.

There’s no limit to how far you can take your career at Maple Leaf Foods. We’re a team of people with diverse backgrounds and a wide range of skills who challenge each other every day to learn and grow. When you join our team, your opportunities for growth are endless.