HR Generalist
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
AM - ACS - 9256
Meridia Recruitment Solutions has partnered with Acadian Seaplants, to recruit an HR Generalist to join their team as the primary HR contact for the manufacturing client group in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia.
Acadian Seaplants, founded in 1981 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is a family-owned, global leader in sustainable seaweed innovation. For more than 40 years, Acadian has grown from a small harvest operation into a fully integrated bio-tech manufacturer of premium seaweed-based products for plants, animals and people to over 80 countries, with a strong commitment to research, environmental stewardship and community. Consistently recognized for excellence, including Platinum status in Canada’s Best Managed Companies, Acadian Seaplants offers an inspiring, values-centered workplace dedicated to sustainability, quality and global impact.
Role Description:
Reporting to the Vice-President, HR, the HR Generalist will serve as the on-site HR resource in a fast-paced, plant environment based in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia with regular regional travel as well to support plants in Yarmouth and Charlesville, NS and in Pennfield, NB. This hands-on role will oversee day-to-day HR operations, including employee support, employee relations, benefits administration, policy implementation, performance documentation, and compliance with employment legislation and corporate standards. In addition, you’ll collaborate closely with site leadership, supervisors and the Global EHS Manager to drive the Company’s core values of Safety, Teamwork and Value Creation.
By joining Acadian Seaplants, you will get to coach leaders through employee relations and organizational change, empower supervisors to confidently manage and develop their teams, and play a vital, trusted role in shaping a strong, engaged workplace culture across multiple manufacturing sites. In return, you will be offered a competitive salary and benefits package, reflecting your value, impact and expertise.
Your responsibilities will include:
• Serve as the primary HR contact for site leadership and employees, providing expert guidance, interpretation, and support on company policies, HR programs, processes, and applicable labour laws;
• Coach managers and supervisors on employee relations, performance management, development, and organizational change, empowering them to lead confidently and effectively;
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding for hourly and salaried roles, collaborating with managers and HR staff, conducting exit interviews, and analyzing turnover trends to inform staffing strategies;
• Support all employee relations activities, including attendance management, policy clarification, disciplinary discussions, documentation, and investigations as required;
• Assist with performance documentation, ensure consistent application of HR policies, and contribute to annual salary, wage, and talent review processes;
• Educate employees on benefits and pension programs, and coordinate disability management and return-to-work processes with relevant managers and stakeholders;
• Participate in HR planning and strategic initiatives, including benefits and systems audits, and support continuous improvement of people processes and systems at manufacturing sites;
• Collaborate closely with Plant Managers, supervisors, and the broader HR team to align HR practices with operational goals and organizational priorities;
• Partner with manufacturing leaders at all locations to champion and embed Acadian Seaplants core values of safety, teamwork, and value creation throughout the workforce;
Your Qualifications:
The ideal HR Generalist is a hands-on, practical HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You are service oriented, partnering with both employees and leadership to bring HR expertise to people development and organizational change. Bringing a collaborative approach, you are passionate about building strong relationships, and shaping a positive, engaged workplace culture.
Your qualifications will include:
• Completion of post-secondary education in Human Resources or equivalent professional experience;
• Minimum of 5 years HR experience, ideally in a warehouse, manufacturing, or operational environment;
• Flexible and proactive, able to contribute to any project that supports the business and team objectives;
• Resourceful problem-solver, able to address issues independently and creatively while maintaining strict confidentiality;
• Proven record of maintaining strict confidentiality handling sensitive issues effectively;
• Ability to manage difficult conversations with tact and professionalism;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, proofreading, and editing skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) for reports and presentations;
• Willing and able to travel frequently as required to support multi-site operations.
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
AM - ACS - 9256
Meridia Recruitment Solutions has partnered with Acadian Seaplants, to recruit an HR Generalist to join their team as the primary HR contact for the manufacturing client group in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia.
Acadian Seaplants, founded in 1981 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is a family-owned, global leader in sustainable seaweed innovation. For more than 40 years, Acadian has grown from a small harvest operation into a fully integrated bio-tech manufacturer of premium seaweed-based products for plants, animals and people to over 80 countries, with a strong commitment to research, environmental stewardship and community. Consistently recognized for excellence, including Platinum status in Canada’s Best Managed Companies, Acadian Seaplants offers an inspiring, values-centered workplace dedicated to sustainability, quality and global impact.
Role Description:
Reporting to the Vice-President, HR, the HR Generalist will serve as the on-site HR resource in a fast-paced, plant environment based in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia with regular regional travel as well to support plants in Yarmouth and Charlesville, NS and in Pennfield, NB. This hands-on role will oversee day-to-day HR operations, including employee support, employee relations, benefits administration, policy implementation, performance documentation, and compliance with employment legislation and corporate standards. In addition, you’ll collaborate closely with site leadership, supervisors and the Global EHS Manager to drive the Company’s core values of Safety, Teamwork and Value Creation.
By joining Acadian Seaplants, you will get to coach leaders through employee relations and organizational change, empower supervisors to confidently manage and develop their teams, and play a vital, trusted role in shaping a strong, engaged workplace culture across multiple manufacturing sites. In return, you will be offered a competitive salary and benefits package, reflecting your value, impact and expertise.
Your responsibilities will include:
• Serve as the primary HR contact for site leadership and employees, providing expert guidance, interpretation, and support on company policies, HR programs, processes, and applicable labour laws;
• Coach managers and supervisors on employee relations, performance management, development, and organizational change, empowering them to lead confidently and effectively;
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding for hourly and salaried roles, collaborating with managers and HR staff, conducting exit interviews, and analyzing turnover trends to inform staffing strategies;
• Support all employee relations activities, including attendance management, policy clarification, disciplinary discussions, documentation, and investigations as required;
• Assist with performance documentation, ensure consistent application of HR policies, and contribute to annual salary, wage, and talent review processes;
• Educate employees on benefits and pension programs, and coordinate disability management and return-to-work processes with relevant managers and stakeholders;
• Participate in HR planning and strategic initiatives, including benefits and systems audits, and support continuous improvement of people processes and systems at manufacturing sites;
• Collaborate closely with Plant Managers, supervisors, and the broader HR team to align HR practices with operational goals and organizational priorities;
• Partner with manufacturing leaders at all locations to champion and embed Acadian Seaplants core values of safety, teamwork, and value creation throughout the workforce;
Your Qualifications:
The ideal HR Generalist is a hands-on, practical HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You are service oriented, partnering with both employees and leadership to bring HR expertise to people development and organizational change. Bringing a collaborative approach, you are passionate about building strong relationships, and shaping a positive, engaged workplace culture.
Your qualifications will include:
• Completion of post-secondary education in Human Resources or equivalent professional experience;
• Minimum of 5 years HR experience, ideally in a warehouse, manufacturing, or operational environment;
• Flexible and proactive, able to contribute to any project that supports the business and team objectives;
• Resourceful problem-solver, able to address issues independently and creatively while maintaining strict confidentiality;
• Proven record of maintaining strict confidentiality handling sensitive issues effectively;
• Ability to manage difficult conversations with tact and professionalism;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, proofreading, and editing skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) for reports and presentations;
• Willing and able to travel frequently as required to support multi-site operations.
To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking “Apply Now” below.
For more information contact Austin McLennan, Partner, at 902-424-1103 and amclennan@kbrs.ca or Abdul Dalloul, Recruitment Specialist at 902-334-7488 and adalloul@kbrs.ca or please apply online by clicking the “Apply Now” button below. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Austin or Abdul know.
Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity.
To learn more about Meridia Recruitment Solutions, our job opportunities, and career advice we invite you to explore our site and subscribe for career alerts.
For more information contact Austin McLennan, Partner, at 902-424-1103 and amclennan@kbrs.ca or Abdul Dalloul, Recruitment Specialist at 902-334-7488 and adalloul@kbrs.ca or please apply online by clicking the “Apply Now” button below. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let Austin or Abdul know.
Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity.
To learn more about Meridia Recruitment Solutions, our job opportunities, and career advice we invite you to explore our site and subscribe for career alerts.
