Director Health, Safety, and Environment

This role will require a balance between strategic and operational responsibilities. Regular engagement with the front lines is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Cultural Transformation

• Define, structure, and implement an inspiring OHS vision and strategy tailored to the realities of a heavy industrial environment.


• Serve as a change agent capable of influencing both senior management and front-line teams.


• Collaborate closely with other members of senior management and ensure that OHS strategies, programs, and processes are aligned with the organization’s culture, mission, vision, and values.


• Evolve the OHS function from a primarily reactive/compliance role toward a strong partnership with operations.


• Develop a culture of prevention focused on accountability, operational rigor, and continuous improvement.


• Provide hands-on leadership through a sustained presence on the ground, ensuring credibility and a genuine understanding of operations.

OHS Expertise – Heavy Industrial Sector

• Identify, analyze, and prioritize critical risks with a high potential for severity (lifting, working at heights, hazardous energy, mobile equipment, welding, and concurrent operations).


• Develop the necessary skills and contribute to reviewing the quality of accident and near-miss investigations, supported by a rigorous root-cause analysis approach.


• Implement the OSHMS (Occupational Safety and Health Management System) as well as the required OSH programs, ensuring they are robust and tailored to on-site realities.


• Be responsible for the organization’s emergency response program and ensure its maintenance, evolution, and continuous improvement to strengthen organizational preparedness, responsiveness, and resilience.

Performance, Governance, and Compliance

• Develop performance metrics and implement a dashboard to track OHS performance—both predictive indicators and outcomes.


• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements (LSST, LATMP, RSST, CNESST, CCC).


• Manage relationships with external organizations (CNESST, OHS partners, insurers).


• Actively participate in capital expenditure (CapEx) decisions related to reducing risk levels and ensuring operational safety.

Environmental Management and ISO 14001 Compliance

• Provide leadership for the environmental management system in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard, including its maintenance, continuous improvement, and preparation for internal and external audits.


• Ensure that all activities comply with applicable Canadian environmental requirements (federal, provincial, and municipal), as well as with permits, certificates, and other regulatory obligations.


• Identify, assess, and control the environmental aspects and impacts of operations, while implementing programs aimed at preventing pollution, reducing environmental risks, and improving environmental performance.


• Develop and monitor environmental performance indicators, track regulatory developments, and present the associated results, risks, opportunities, and action plans to management.


• Serve as the organization’s primary representative before regulatory authorities, certification bodies, and stakeholders, while raising awareness and engaging managers and employees in the integration of environmental best practices.

OHS Team Management

• Guide, organize, and develop the OHS team to make it a source of influence and a business partner in occupational health and safety.


• Clarify the roles and responsibilities among the OHS team, line management, and operations.


• Support managers in developing their skills in workplace accident prevention and OHS leadership.
  

Desired Profile
Experience and Education

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations/human resources and/or a university certificate in occupational health and safety, nursing, engineering, law, or a related discipline.


• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, including: At least 5 years in a heavy industrial environment (manufacturing or industrial construction).


• Demonstrated experience in change management and OSH cultural transformation.


• Experience in team engagement and management.


• Experience in a unionized environment required.


• Membership in the Canadian Council of Certified Safety Professionals (CCPSA) – an asset.


• Strong project management skills.

What We Offer

• A compressed 4.5-day workweek and flexible hours;


• Comprehensive group insurance plan with employer contribution;


• Pension plan with employer contribution;


• Annual bonus plan;


• Employee and Family Assistance Program (including access to telemedicine);


• Free charging stations for electric vehicles;


• Fully equipped on-site fitness center for employees;


• On-site cafeteria;


• Corporate sports league.


• And much more!