Senior Manager, Halal Affairs and Stakeholder Relations at Maple Lodge Farms

Interested in joining Canada’s largest poultry processor? At Maple Lodge Farms, we’re not only passionate about our chickens, but our people, too. We operate to the latest in technological, health and safety, and quality standards. With rapid expansion over the years, and continued innovation and investment in growth, we’re looking for committed, team players to join the Maple Lodge family. As a proudly family-owned Canadian company, we’re passionate about what we do. If you’re a committed team player, we would love to have you as part of our team.

About The Role

The Senior Manager, Halal Affairs & Stakeholder Relations leads MLHC’s Halal governance, certification, stakeholder engagement, and community relations strategy. This role serves as the company's subject matter expert and primary representative on Halal matters, strengthening trust, credibility, and relationships with Muslim consumers, certifying bodies, faith leaders, community organizations, and other key stakeholders. The position provides strategic advice on emerging issues, stakeholder expectations, and reputational risks to ensure alignment between Halal requirements, corporate objectives, and community trust.

This is a new position with the company.

What's in it for you?

• Weekly pay
• Health, Dental and Group Insurance benefits with company-paid premiums
• Reward For Excellence annual bonus program
• Company Pension Plan
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Onsite Cafeteria
• Discount at our Chicken Shop
• A culture that values humility, a respect for family and hard work

What You Will Be Doing

Develop, implement and maintain enterprise-wide Halal Affairs strategy

• Support corporate objectives, sustainability commitments, reputation priorities, and stakeholder expectations through the development of Maple Lodge Farms' Halal Affairs strategy.
• Provide strategic guidance on certification requirements, stakeholder expectations, consumer trust, community concerns, emerging issues, industry trends, opportunities, and reputational risks affecting Halal consumers and Muslim communities.
• Partner with Marketing, Sales, Corporate Affairs, and Operations to ensure Halal initiatives, community engagement, brand positioning, and product strategies are integrated and mutually reinforcing.
• Develop and oversee the company's Halal certification strategy, including the management, evaluation, negotiation, and renewal of certifying body relationships.
• Support the evaluation of strategic initiatives, partnerships, and business opportunities by providing stakeholder and community perspectives.
• Develop and manage budgets related to Halal certification, stakeholder engagement, community investment, events, partnerships, audits, and strategic initiatives.
• Ensure investments support measurable business, stakeholder, compliance, and reputational outcomes.
• Provide subject matter expertise during issues, crises, regulatory discussions, media inquiries, and stakeholder engagements involving Halal-related matters.

Strengthen Community and Stakeholder Relationships

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with Muslim communities, faith leaders, Imams, Islamic scholars, advocacy organizations, and other key stakeholders to enhance trust, reputation, and market relevance.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen engagement through dialogue, partnerships, education, sponsorships, and community initiatives.
• Ensure stakeholder engagement activities reflect the company's values and commitment to respect, inclusion, transparency, and trust.
• Partner with Corporate Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Operations, and Marketing to address stakeholder concerns, misinformation, certification issues, and emerging reputational risks.
• Monitor emerging issues, stakeholder concerns, regulatory developments, consumer expectations, and industry trends affecting the Halal sector, and provide strategic advice on risks and opportunities that may influence Maple Lodge Farms' reputation, stakeholder relationships, and position within the marketplace.
• Serve as a source of expertise on evolving community expectations, certification standards, and issues affecting trust and confidence in Halal products.
• Represent Maple Lodge Farms and Zabiha Halal at industry conferences, community events, trade shows, stakeholder forums, government meetings, and other external engagements, as required.
• Promote the company's leadership in Halal food production, certification integrity, food safety, animal welfare, and community engagement.

Oversee Audits, Inspections, and Governance Compliance

• Direct and coordinate Halal certification audits, inspections, stakeholder visits, and facility reviews.
• Ensure findings, recommendations, and corrective actions are effectively communicated and addressed.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to maintain compliance and strengthen operational performance.
• Establish oversight and governance of Halal requirements across third-party processors, co packers, suppliers, and external partners.
• Ensure certification requirements, policies, and governance practices are effectively implemented across MLHC.
• Support continuous improvement in Halal governance and compliance practices.

Facilitate Internal Alignment and Workforce Engagement

• Foster productive relationships between blessors, operational teams, certifying bodies, and management to ensure alignment, collaboration, and understanding of Halal requirements throughout the organization.
• Support training, communication, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen organizational alignment and compliance.
• Help resolve issues and build alignment between internal teams and external stakeholders.

Policies, Processes & Procedures

• Adhere/comply with company policies and procedures.
• Recommend, develop and implement enhancements and improvements to departmental policies and procedures.

What You Will Bring

• 8-10+ years of progressive experience in stakeholder relations, corporate affairs, community relations, public affairs, regulatory affairs, government relations, sustainability, or a related field.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholder groups, including community organizations, faith leaders, industry associations, regulatory bodies, and external partners.
• Advanced knowledge of food and meat plant regulatory standards (CFIA, etc.), GMP, HACCP, BRC, food safety, food quality, etc.;
• Team-player with excellent leadership skills, able to motivate others, negotiate effectively, and interact professionally with internal and external stakeholders;
• Experience leading programs, managing teams and influencing external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
• Experience managing complex issues, reputational risks, and stakeholder concerns in a corporate or public-facing environment.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving operations, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, communications, or external affairs teams.
• Experience interacting with Halal certifying bodies, Muslim community organizations, faith leaders, or multicultural stakeholders would be a strong asset.
• Experience representing an organization in public forums, industry events, stakeholder meetings, and government engagements.
• University degree in Public Affairs, Communications, Political Science, Business, Public Administration, Food Science, Religious Studies, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of Halal certification principles, governance frameworks, and industry practices, along with formal knowledge of Islamic studies, Halal certification, or the Canadian Muslim community.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing, food safety, regulatory compliance, and animal welfare considerations affecting Halal production.

Maple Lodge Farms was established in 1955. We are the largest chicken processor in Canada, and we remain family owned. The principles that guided us from our humble beginnings, when Lawrence May sold eggs door-to-door, are the same principles that guide us today: hard work, agricultural wisdom and family values. We are creating a sustainable future by providing healthy, wholesome, best quality chicken products with a focus on the humane treatment of animals, the responsible use of resources and the positive development of our employees and the communities in which we operate.

Please note that any offer of employment will be conditional upon background and reference checks, including a criminal record check.

In accordance with Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 2003, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants are required to make their needs known in advance.

Our recruitment process may involve the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in reviewing applications. These tools help identify candidates whose qualifications closely align with the job requirements. Please note, these AI tools are not used to disqualify applicants but to support our efforts in efficiently screening large volumes of applications.

We thank all applicants for applying, however, only those chosen will be contacted by our Talent Acquisition Team.

IND2