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…