Health & Safety Specialist

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Position Summary/Objective:

The Health and Safety Specialist will foster a positive safety culture by developing, implementing, and driving compliance to safety standards and maintaining a safe work environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Take the lead on building a safety culture by training, coaching, and holding team members accountable on workplace safety topics.
• Develop and implement safety initiatives, controls, and procedures to address safety risks in the workplace. This can include developing/delivering training, implementation of PPE/engineered controls, and also being a consistent voice on all safety matters.
• Fully support all safety activities including day to day activities and coach and mentor operations Supervisors.
• Implement ergonomic controls and programs to support the plants.
• Ensure all Safety training matrices and compliance training matrices are up to date.
• Facilitate and conduct workplace risk assessments in partnership with Joint Health and Safety Committee.
• Track and oversee Health and Safety performance metrics - Near Misses, Injuries, Missed Workdays, and trends and determine corrective and preventative measures.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (JHSC, Site Leadership) to develop, audit, and achieve the highest level of safety standards.
• Train employees, monitor and correct use of PPE, engineering and administrative safety controls in both production and non-production areas.
• Conduct daily safety walks and attend team huddles to ensure high compliance in safety measures.
• Ensure all monthly safety training is being completed.
• Promptly escalate safety issues and risks to Site Leadership and JHSC
• Support Return-to-Work process, coaching with Supervisory team.
• Ensure and track health and safety compliance and take part in the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC), including conducting spot checks and participate in incident investigations, as required.
• Work in compliance with OH&S acts and regulations.
• Use personal protective and safety equipment and clothing as directed by the employer and report workplace hazards and dangers to the supervisor or employer.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Qualifications

• Completed post-secondary in (EHS) Environmental Health and Safety, or related field or equivalent work experience in an OSHA background.
• 3+ years of work experience required in Health and Safety focused role.
• Experience in the Food Industry is preferred.
• 1 year of Health & Safety management and/or executive level support experience (preferred but not required)
• Demonstrated experience in providing high quality customer experience, building a safety culture, communicating to get team member buy-in
• Detail oriented with proven ability to prioritize and work efficiently with minimum direction or supervision.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to perform administrative tasks with high degree of accuracy.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), including active listening and proofreading.
• Ability to perform at a high level in a fast paced and dynamic work environment.
• Ability to demonstrate good, sound judgment.
• Flexible to support other shifts when required (Afternoon and Night shift and weekends when required).  
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Teams, Outlook

• In depth knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), WHMIS and all other workplace Health and Safety regulations
• Familiar with WSIB reporting and return to work programs.
• Possess or be in the process of obtaining the Certified Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation is an asset.
• Previous experience working with regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Labor
• Keeps the work atmosphere FUN by keeping it light and welcoming.

What we expect:

• Values-led: You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We’re a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don’t brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn’t one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait! There’s more!

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or 401k matching for an empowered financial journey
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.