Manager Human Resources – Metro in Toronto

The HR Manager serves as a strategic Business Partner, supporting store operations across a designated geographic district. This role is responsible for delivering expert guidance on human resources and labour relations matters, ensuring alignment with business objectives, legislative requirements, and collective agreement obligations. Working closely with operational leaders, the HR Manager provides proactive coaching, drives effective people strategies, and supports the resolution of complex employee and labour relations issues. This role requires extensive travel throughout the GTA and surrounding regions, including Northern and Eastern Ontario, with occasional overnight stays as business needs require.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Business Partnership & Advisory: Partner with District Managers and store leadership to understand business needs and deliver tailored HR and labour relations solutions. Provide expert advice and coaching on HR policies, procedures, legislation, and collective agreements. Build strong, trusted relationships with stakeholders to support effective decision-making.
• Labour Relations & Employee Relations: Lead and support grievance management and dispute resolution processes. Act as a key advisor during arbitration and legal proceedings in collaboration with legal counsel. Conduct workplace investigations and address complaints related to policy breaches or legislative matters. Ensure consistent and compliant application of collective agreements and labour practices.
• Talent & Workforce Management: Support store operations in core HR processes, including talent acquisition, performance management, succession planning, onboarding and offboarding, and compensation guidance. Analyze workforce trends and identify opportunities to improve engagement, retention, and performance.
• Health, Safety & Compliance: Partner with Health & Safety teams to support accommodation, modified duties, and return-to-work cases, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and internal policies.
• Training & Program Support: Contribute to the development and delivery of HR and labour relations training programs. Support the execution of HR initiatives and ensure effective implementation at the store level. Ensure accuracy and consistency in HR transactions and processes.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary education in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive HR experience, ideally as an HR Business Partner or Generalist.
• CHRP/CHRL designation is considered an asset.
• Experience in a unionized environment, preferably within retail.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of employment legislation, including ESA, Labour Relations Act, Human Rights Code, and Occupational Health & Safety legislation.
• Proven experience managing grievances, investigations, and complex employee relations matters.
• Strong influencing and relationship-building skills with the ability to coach leaders at all levels.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, negotiation, and conflict resolution capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates a high level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential matters.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal: Store Operations, Payroll, Labour Relations, Health & Safety, Loss Prevention, Legal.
• External: Customers, union representatives, and regulatory bodies.

The responsibilities and relationships assigned to this role may change as is necessary to achieve Metro's business objectives.