Sr. Project Specialist

The Opportunity:

Reporting to the Reliability Leader, the Sr. Project Specialist is responsible for leading and executing reliability, maintenance, and capital improvement initiatives that enhance equipment performance, operational efficiency, food safety, and asset lifecycle management across the facility.

The role serves as a technical and project leadership resource within the plant, coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver projects safely, on time, and within budget while supporting the site’s reliability strategy and operational objectives.

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by May 25. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Lead and execute reliability, maintenance, and capital improvement projects
• Support plant reliability strategy and continuous improvement initiatives
• Improve equipment uptime, reliability, and operational efficiency
• Coordinate project activities from planning through commissioning and startup
• Develop and manage project scopes, timelines, budgets, and progress reporting
• Coordinate contractors, vendors, procurement activities, and onsite execution through schedule flexibility
• Support shutdown and outage planning, coordination, and execution
• Ensure compliance with all safety, food safety, environmental, and regulatory standards
• Participate in root cause analysis and implementation of sustainable corrective actions
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams to achieve site objectives
• Support maintenance optimization and asset lifecycle management initiatives
• Maintain project documentation, drawings, and technical records
• Identify opportunities for standardization, cost reduction, and process improvement
• Support implementation of reliability best practices and maintenance standards
• Communicate project updates, risks, and performance metrics to site leadership
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement

What You’ll Bring:

• Strong project management and execution capability in a manufacturing environment
• Experience managing capital, reliability, and continuous improvement projects from concept through startup
• Knowledge of industrial equipment, maintenance systems, and plant operations
• Understanding of reliability methodologies including RCA, PM/PdM, and FMEA
• Ability to improve equipment uptime, maintainability, and operational performance
• Experience developing project scopes, schedules, budgets, risk assessments, and business cases
• Strong contractor, vendor, and stakeholder coordination capability
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills in fast-paced environments
• Experience supporting shutdown and outage planning and execution
• Working knowledge of automation, controls, and industrial systems
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical, electrical, and process drawings including P&IDs
• Experience with SAP CMMS system
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause problem-solving capability
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
• Data-driven decision making and performance analysis capability
• Strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills
• Commitment to safety leadership, food safety, and regulatory compliance
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously
• Results-oriented with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement mindset

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.

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