Septodont is a global leader in dental products and a growing organization in pharmaceutical development and contract manufacturing (CDMO), committed to improving patients’ health and well-being worldwide.
Present in more than 110 countries, Septodont is powered by over 2,600 employees and 6 international production sites, combining industrial excellence, innovation, and technological expertise to serve healthcare professionals globally.
In North America, our operations span Ontario, Quebec, and Pennsylvania. Our Cambridge, Ontario site, home to Novocol Pharma, is a key center of innovation with over 40 years of expertise in sterile injectable cartridges and combination product manufacturing, supported by a team of more than 675 employees.
We are seeking an HR Director to join our Cambridge leadership team in a high-impact, strategic role.
This position is designed for a leader who wants to go beyond traditional HR. Partnering closely with the Site Head, you will play a direct role in shaping business decisions, influencing site strategy, and ensuring the organization has the capabilities to achieve its goals.
As part of an evolving HR model, you will lead the continued transformation of the HR function to be more proactive, efficient, and business-driven, while strengthening the team’s focus on ownership and solutions.
This is an opportunity to step into a role where HR is a true driver of business success, offering both visibility and the ability to make a meaningful impact within a key site in the Septodont network.
Position summary
Reporting to the Vice President, Human Resources Americas, the Site HR Director is the senior Human Resources leader for the Cambridge site and a core member of the site leadership team.
The role is accountable for shaping and executing the people strategy that enables Cambridge to deliver its operational, financial, and transformation objectives. Acting as the primary HR partner to the Site Head, the Site HR Director ensures strong alignment between business priorities and people decisions, combining strategic perspective with disciplined, on-the-ground execution.
The role operates in close partnership with the Site Head, while remaining fully anchored within the HR functional leadership and governance defined by the VP HR Americas.
Key responsibilities:
Site leadership & business partnership:
Serve as the primary HR partner to the Site Head and a trusted advisor to the Cambridge leadership team, ensuring alignment between site priorities and the broader HR framework defined at regional level.
Contribute to site strategy, ensuring people implications are anticipated, clearly framed, and effectively executed.
Act as a visible and engaged leader on site, closely connected to all functions, including operations and administrative groups.
Bring clear, pragmatic judgment to leadership discussions, with the ability to influence, challenge, and support decision-making at the highest level.
People strategy execution & operational delivery:
Own the end-to-end execution of the HR agenda for Cambridge, ensuring alignment with business priorities and disciplined delivery.
Translate strategic objectives into clear people priorities, execution plans, and measurable outcomes.
Ensure excellence and efficiency in core HR processes (talent, performance, engagement, workforce planning), with a strong focus on execution quality and impact.
Drive continuous improvement in HR processes, simplifying strengthening accountability across the site.
Lead, coach, and develop the Cambridge HR team, building capabilities, and elevating business partnerships through effectiveness.
Design and implement programs, processes, and frameworks that reduce unnecessary complexity, anticipate risk, and prevent recurring employee relations issues before they escalate.
Organizational effectiveness & transformation:
Lead and support key transformation initiatives at site level, including organizational design, capability building, and operational change.
Partner with the Site Head and leadership team to optimize structure, roles, and ways of working in line with evolving business needs.
Anticipate workforce implications of strategic decisions (capacity, skills, leadership pipeline) and proactively shape solutions.
Ensure change initiatives are tightly managed, communicated, and adopted, with clear accountability.
Talent, leadership & workforce Planning:
Lead the talent agenda for Cambridge, including talent acquisition, succession planning, leadership development, and strengthening the director layer.
Partner with leaders to build strong, accountable teams aligned with performance expectations and business priorities.
Drive forward-looking workforce planning aligned with operational and growth needs.
Elevate hiring capability and outcomes, ensuring quality, speed, and long-term success.
Employee relations, culture & engagement:
Oversee complex employee relations matters, ensuring balanced, fair, and consistent decisions aligned with both regulatory requirements and business objectives.
Foster a strong, performance-oriented culture grounded in accountability, trust, and engagement.
Maintain close proximity to the site to anticipate issues early and ensure HR responses are grounded in operational reality.
Ensure consistent application of policies and practices, minimizing risk and reinforcing a disciplined operating environment.
Co-lead the Employee Communications Committee, ensuring proactive and positive employee relations.
Governance, risk & functional alignment:
Operate within the HR governance framework defined by the VP HR Americas, ensuring that key people decisions (including talent, compensation, organization design, and employee relations matters) are aligned and validated as appropriate.
Ensure full compliance with employment and labor legislation and company policies.
Maintain strong alignment with the broader HR function (Americas and Global), ensuring consistency while adapting to site-specific needs.
Contribute to workforce cost planning and budget discussions at site level.
Leverage HR data and insights to inform decisions, monitor performance, and drive continuous improvement.
Oversee the Cambridge EHS team ensuring the health and safety program follows local regulations and environmental targets are achieved. Ensure EHS supports wellness and CSR initiatives, as appropriate.
Experience and profile
12+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including senior roles in complex, operational environments.
Strong experience partnering with senior operational leaders in manufacturing or highly regulated industries.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively at both strategic and execution levels.
Proven track record in organizational transformation, talent development, and workforce planning.
Strong understanding of labor relations, compliance, and employee relations in a complex environment.
Experience in global or multi-regional organizations is an advantage.
Demonstrated experience leading a leveraged HR operating model, delivering outcomes through a team of HRBPs and specialists rather than direct personal execution.
Capabilities and leadership style:
High-impact business partner with strong credibility.
Clear, structured thinker with strong execution discipline and attention to detail.
Pragmatic and solutions-oriented, able to balance business needs with people considerations.
Comfortable operating in complex, fast-moving, and evolving environments. Strong ownership mindset, with the ability to drive outcomes and ensure follow-through while holding others accountable rather than assuming direct ownership of execution
Visible, engaged leader with strong relational skills and the ability to build trust across all levels.
Experience leading HR in complex, high-volume environments (500+ employees) with multiple priorities, requiring strong prioritization, role clarity, and disciplined scope management.
Ability to delegate effectively, coach for capability, and maintain clear boundaries, ensuring the HR Director role remains focused on leadership, strategy, and high-value decisions rather than operational execution.
What We Offer
Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package
RRSP program to support long-term financial planning
Bonus eligibility aligned with business and individual performance
Professional development and continuous learning opportunities
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support well-being
Discounted gym memberships and wellness initiatives
Corporate discounts and employee perks
Employee recognition programs
Social events and team engagement activities
The starting salary for this role is approximately $ 170,000 CAD , with flexibility based on qualifications and experience. Our total rewards package is designed to support your financial well-being, professional growth, and overall quality of life, including comprehensive benefits, bonus eligibility, and development opportunities.
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Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the country where the position is based for the duration of employment. This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored immigration support.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and thank all applicants in advance; however, we will be corresponding only with those selected for an interview.
In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free recruitment and selection process.
Recruitment Fraud – please be aware of recruitment fraud. Novocol Pharmaceutical of Canada Inc. will never ask for banking information, money or any personal information up front. We will only respond to official applications submitted through our careers site. In addition, we will only use official corporate e-mail addresses (septodont.com or novocolpharma.com) to communicate with applicants. Should you be contacted without submitting an application, please delete the message and advise your e-mail provider.
