Reporting to the HSE Manager, the Senior Health and Safety Specialist provides senior ‑ level technical authority, leadership, and onsite presence to support the effective management of health, safety, and environmental risk across Plant 1, Plant 2, and associated operations. This role delivers experienced oversight of safety systems, regulatory compliance, and critical risk programs, and serves as a key technical resource to support sound decision ‑ making, consistency, and accountability across the site.

The Senior HSE Specialist acts as a stabilizing presence within the HSE function, providing independent technical judgment and continuity during periods of increased operational complexity, elevated incident activity, shutdowns, capital work, or regulatory engagement. The role coaches and supports HSE staff and site leadership while strengthening the practical application and effectiveness of HSE programs.

• Post ‑ secondary education in occupational health, ergonomics, health and safety, environmental studies, or other related fields.

• A minimum of 5 years of occupational health, safety, environmental, or related experience is preferred. Experience in manufacturing or industrial operations is also preferred.

• CRSP, CRST, or CHSC certification is preferred; candidates without designation must demonstrate a commitment to working toward professional certification within an agreed timeframe.

• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and sustaining safety programs and management system elements, including the ability to build structured programs from the ground up.

• • Strong health and safety background with hands ‑ on experience conducting root cause incident investigations, hazard assessments, and developing JSAs, SOPs, and safety training programs.

• Strong working knowledge of high ‑ risk safety controls and the ability to translate regulatory and internal requirements into practical, site ‑ ready programs.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage, influence, and support team members and other stakeholders.

• Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, as well as online SDS management systems and incident reporting and tracking systems.

• Provide senior technical leadership and guidance on complex or high ‑ risk health, safety, and environmental matters across Plant 1 and Plant 2.

• Serve as a senior resource for workplace incident investigations, providing oversight, technical guidance, and quality assurance to ensure effective root cause analysis and corrective actions.

• Support and coach HSE team members and operational leaders through complex or sensitive investigations and risk management decisions.

• Provide governance and senior oversight of the site incident management system (Intelex), including data quality, trend analysis, and escalation of systemic risk issues.

• Serve as the site’s senior technical authority during regulatory inspections, third ‑ party audits, and compliance reviews, and support corrective action development and follow ‑ up.

• Provide senior oversight of critical risk programs, including Lockout/Tagout, Confined Space Entry, Working at Heights, and Powered Mobile Equipment, ensuring consistency and effectiveness across both plants.

• Facilitate and support task ‑ based risk assessments and ensure appropriate controls are implemented and maintained.

• Identify, assess, and escalate hazards and emerging risks through workplace inspections, data review, and direct engagement with operations.

• Provide onsite HSE leadership support during shutdowns, capital projects, and high ‑ risk maintenance activities.

• Coach and mentor HSE personnel and support leadership development by strengthening technical capability, consistency, and accountability within the HSE function.

• Support the development, prioritization, and execution of safety ‑ related initiatives and improvement projects.

• Facilitate and support training related to new or revised safety programs and procedures and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained.

• Maintain a strong presence on the production floor to support leaders, identify risk, and reinforce safe ‑ work expectations and safety culture.

Cavendish Farms is a family-run company, where our team members are never just a number. We work from seed-to-table, providing opportunities to explore and grow. Headquartered in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Cavendish Farms is a leading producer of frozen potato products and appetizers throughout Canada, the United States, and around the world. We have Manufacturing facilities in PEI, Ontario, Alberta, and North Dakota and farm operations in the Maritimes and Minnesota and North Dakota. We also operate a research and plant breeding centre in PEI to develop new potato varieties and sustainable potato farming practices.

We have a proud history of values, quality and service, And bringing the goodness of the farm to the table is what we do best.

Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has operations in Canada and the United States and are a team of 20,000 dedicated employees. At J.D. Irving, Limited, you are part of a dynamic team of professionals who lead with integrity and are passionate about delivering results. With a culture that nurtures talent and creates an inclusive workplace, you can grow your career across our various operating divisions.

We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates, and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Worried you do not meet all the requirements? Studies have shown that many applicants apply only to job opportunities when they feel they meet 100% of the criteria. We promote an inclusive environment where everyone is appreciated, recognized, and empowered to contribute fully. If you are interested in this position but are worried you did not meet all the requirements, we would encourage you to still apply.

We appreciate your interest in our company however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.