Victoria joined Maple Lodge Farms as an HR expert in 2016 to support company’s recruitment strategy. She knew it would be a big job even before she started.
The company has been on an impressive growth trajectory for many years with chicken processing facilities across Canada. More than 2,000 people are employed at Maple Lodge Farms’ three facilities in Brampton and Mississauga, Ontario. Many of these positions are unionized and frontline production.
As Employee Experience Champion, Victoria is responsible for employee engagement which means new hires and long-standing employees know they are valued as an essential part of the Maple Lodge Farms family.
“My job is all about people. Every day I connect with new and existing employees to ensure they are feeling positive about their job and the workplace environment.”
When the Covid-19 pandemic began, employees were understandably unsure about the situation. Victoria and her colleagues emphasized to staff the nature of being essential workers and how important it is that Canadians have access to the food they enjoy and depend on.
The HR team was available around the clock to assist employees at the start of Covid-19. Changes were made quickly to establish health and safety protocols for the production floor which included maximum personal protection equipment (PPE).
Recently, the company partnered with the Region of Peel on a mobile Covid-19 vaccination unit to support not only employees but local residents.
When new employees start at Maple Lodge Farms, they are given a welcome orientation session that includes training on Good Management Practices (GMPs), HACCP, food safety, and occupational health and safety. It is a lot of information to process, and the team is available to provide support. The next day, new hires connect with their supervisors and begin on the job training.
Maple Lodge Farms prides itself in continuous training for employees and a culture where people can learn on the job and know they will be listened to.
If you want to join the Maple Lodge Farms family, the Careers page lists open opportunities in executive, management, and frontline positions.
The Talent Acquisition team is currently made up of 5 recruitment specialists who are responsible for finding best fit talent. They conduct interviews with facility tours and Q&A sessions to help people learn about the various jobs and opportunities for professional development.
Joining Maple Lodge Farms means being part of family that proudly lives and breathes its commitment — We feed Canadians!