Employee and Labour Relations Manager

Autoport Limited is actively seeking a dedicated Employee and Labour Relations Manager to join our dynamic team

At Autoport Limited, we foster a vibrant and inclusive environment where your skills can flourish in a supportive, safety-focused community. Our commitment to training and career development lays the groundwork for lasting professional journeys. We highly value individuals who bring passion and dedication to make a meaningful impact.

In this role, you will play a vital role in shaping a positive and productive employee relations environment through strategic planning, policy development, and effective leadership. The Labour and Employee Relations Manager will support the HR Director by driving key HR initiatives across Canada and the US, overseeing collective bargaining processes, and ensuring compliance with labor laws and internal policies. This position also leads critical talent functions, including learning and development, succession planning, and talent management, while aligning HR strategies with broader business objectives and promoting operational excellence.

Major Responsibilities

|| Labour Relations

• Manage the collective bargaining processes, including preparation, negotiation and implementation. Works with internal stakeholders including the HR/LR Director, Automotive Director, Finance and others to design bargaining strategies that align with company objectives.
• Oversee the processing of employee grievances and ensure compliance with collective agreements. Liaise with internal and external legal representatives as required.
• Ensure adherence to all relevant labor laws and regulations in both Canada and the US.
• Provide oversight to HR Business Partners on labor relations matters, helping them make informed decisions and manage complex situations.

|| Employee Relations

• Oversight of workplace complaints, disciplinary issues, policy violations and investigations. Ensure compliant and thorough workplace investigations are completed in accordance with collective agreements, policies and legislation.
• Oversee the talent management process including talent acquisition, onboarding and offboarding, performance management, leadership development and succession planning
• Responsible for planning, implementing, and managing programs that promote the well-being of employees. This includes creating and delivering wellness initiatives, educating employees on health topics, and tracking program effectiveness.
• Create a positive and engaging work environment by planning and executing programs, initiatives, and activities aimed at boosting employee morale, motivation, and satisfaction.
• Contributes to the development of HR policies and procedures that address employee and labor relations matters.

|| Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyzing HR data to identify trends and inform decision-making, as well as preparing reports on key HR metrics. 
• Develop and analyze reports and dashboards to support strategic HR decision-making.
• Conducts comprehensive research on current HR trends and formulates proposals to implement improvements, and/or optimize efficiencies within human resources functions.

|| Strategic Planning

• Contributing to the development of HR strategies and policies that align with the organization's goals. 
• Demonstrates a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and strategic enhancement of HR processes.

|| Collaboration

• Working with cross-functional teams to align HR practices with other business areas and ensure smooth integration of HR processes. 

|| Leadership and Mentorship

• Providing leadership and guidance to HR staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. 
• Lead HR/LR initiatives related to employee relations/union relations

|| Other

• Maintain compliance with relevant employment laws, tax regulations, and internal HR policies.
• Continuously improve HR operations through systems auditing, policy reviews, and process redesign.
• Special Projects as may be assigned, addressing specific challenges and contributing to the overall strategic objectives of the HR team and Company objectives.
• Monitor employment legislation, collective agreement trends, and labour market conditions to ensure compliance and proactive planning.

Qualifications and Requirements

To succeed in this role, the successful candidate should have:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations or related field.
• 5+ years of HR experience with at least 3 years in a managerial or lead role in unionized environments.
• CHRP/SHRM-CP or similar certifications are an asset.
• Expert knowledge of employment and labour law, collective bargaining, arbitrations, contract administration and grievance resolution in both Canada and the US.
• Conducting and/or overseeing workplace investigations involving discipline, harassment and conflict resolution.
  
• Experience designing and implementing learning and development solutions aligned to business needs.
• Demonstrated success in performance reviews, succession planning and leadership pipeline development.
• Strategic ability to assess talent gaps and align resources to future business needs.
• Excellent negotiation, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to build trust with employees, managers and union representatives.
• Demonstrated proficiency in coaching, developing and managing teams.
• Strong understanding of HR systems and platforms for tracking employee performance and learning, including BambooHR. 
• Proficiency working with Microsoft Office as well as web-based applications such as Power BI.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative, navigates change effectively, with composure in complex situations.
• Ability to prioritize work requirements,
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and manage sensitive information with discretion and integrity.
• Proficiency with speaking and writing in French is considered an asset.
• An equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered.

Benefits

|| Comprehensive Health and Dental Coverage: Enjoy peace of mind with our extensive health and dental benefits, ensuring you and your family's well-being.

|| Generous Paid Vacation: Recharge and relax with our generous paid vacation policy, providing you the time to unwind and come back refreshed. You are entitled to four (4) weeks upon hire, with further increases depending on length of service. 

|| Flexible Paid Sick and Personal Days

Take control of your well-being with our five (5) flexible paid sick and personal days, giving you the freedom to address personal needs or unforeseen circumstances.

|| Robust Pension Plan:

Secure your future with our robust pension plan, ensuring financial stability and peace of mind during your retirement years.

|| Short-term and Long-term Disability Coverage:

Rest easy knowing that our comprehensive disability coverage provides financial protection in case of unforeseen events, offering support during challenging times.

|| Performance-Based Bonus Potential:

Your hard work doesn't go unnoticed. Unlock your potential with our performance-based bonus program, rewarding your dedication and contributions to our success, up to 15% of your annual salary. 

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About Autoport Limited

Chances are, we handled the car you drive today. As a transportation leader in the automotive industry, Autoport handles more than 2 million import and domestic vehicles annually. We are well positioned to offer seamless access to key ports and global trade. Since our opening in 1971, we have established the solutions, the experience, and the expertise required to safely transport vehicles to the valued customer. Imagine driving onto a multi-level railcar and the precision it requires. As people drive vehicles throughout North America, we are the ones who ensure that cars are well secured and arrive to dealers damage-free.

To learn more about us, check out our Facebook page at: 

Autoport Limited is an equal opportunity employer who values diversity and inclusion, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, communities, and industries. Autoport Limited welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.  Autoport Limited's Accommodation Policy is available on request, including in accessible formats.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Communication is primarily made through email, so please monitor your email regularly.