JOB PURPOSE
The Human Resources Business Partner will be part of an agile and dynamic Shared Services People & Culture team, supporting Book Depot Inc. and Kidsbooks Publishing. This role will champion our core purpose and values while enabling a consistent, compliant, and people-first employee experience across all business units.
Operating within a centralized Shared Services model, the Human Resources Business Partner will deliver high-quality, responsive HR support to leaders and team members, ensuring alignment with operational needs, organizational priorities, and applicable US and Canadian (Ontario) employment legislation.
The Human Resources Business Partner will serve as a key point of contact for People & Culture inquiries and will support both strategic initiatives and day-to-day HR service delivery across the full employee lifecycle, including: recruitment, onboarding, leadership development, engagement, recognition, compensation, payroll, benefits, performance management, leaves of absence, health and safety, and wellness. This role will also contribute to the design, standardization, and implementation of scalable HR programs, tools, and training solutions across both organizations.
STRATEGIC:
Key measurables or activity-based leading indicators that the job is accountable for includes:
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Track number of WSIB claims, incidents/accidents, number of team members on leave, and percentage of successful return-to-work outcomes
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Maintain a dynamic and accurate FTE count aligned with production and operational demands across supported business units
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Support and develop strategies to increase retention rates, with a focus on frontline workforce stability
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Support the annual administration of CORE engagement assessments; drive increased participation and year-over-year improvement
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Track and recognize service anniversaries and key milestones to strengthen engagement and culture
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Track number of internal promotions and support internal mobility strategies
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Track number of referrals received, hires made, and referral program effectiveness
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Track and support hiring volumes to meet operational growth needs
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Monitor absenteeism trends and support proactive attendance management strategies in alignment with company policy and legislation
In addition to the strategic purpose of the role outlined above, you will:
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Support the development of leaders by creating and facilitating workshops and coordinating scalable training and development initiatives across both organizations
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Assist in the creation, standardization, and implementation of HR policies and practices in compliance with applicable legislation, including the Employment Standards Act (ESA), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), and Ontario Human Rights Code, as well as applicable U.S. legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other relevant federal and state employment laws
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Build and enhance recognition strategies that reinforce a strong, values-driven culture
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Plan and support key calendar events and engagement opportunities that foster connection across teams
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Support annual merit review processes and contribute to compensation practices that drive performance, internal equity, and market competitiveness
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Scope, plan, and support health, safety, and wellness initiatives that promote compliance and a culture of safety
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Support retention strategies for key talent and high performers
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Enhance scalable hiring, onboarding, and offboarding practices aligned with legislative requirements
FUNCTIONAL:
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Participate in full-cycle recruitment, from preparing job postings to conducting interviews and preparing offers, ensuring compliance with applicable employment and human rights legislation
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Support onboarding and training of new team members, including required compliance training (e.g., workplace safety, harassment and violence prevention)
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Partner with the Manager, People & Culture on cross-functional and Shared Services projects as required
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Build collaborative and trusted relationships with leaders and team members across business units
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Act as a brand ambassador through professional and consistent communication internally and externally
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Develop and enhance innovative, multi-channel communication strategies aligned with core purpose and values
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Support and guide leaders through complex employee relations matters, ensuring fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes
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Support administration of benefits and payroll processes in alignment with ESA requirements
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Administer and support leaves of absence, including ESA statutory leaves, WSIB-related absences, and company-sponsored programs
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Research and support programming to enhance overall health and wellness of team members
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Maintain and update HRIS systems (e.g., ADP/TriNet) ensuring accuracy, data integrity, and compliance with privacy requirements
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Contribute to continuous improvement of Shared Services processes, tools, and service delivery
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Additional project work and responsibilities as required
PEOPLE & CULTURE:
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Model Book Depot Inc. values in all that you do and hold others accountable in maintaining the integrity of them
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Ensure everyone is pulling together in the same direction and that you are prioritizing departmental and individual goals
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Champion, influence, embrace and motivate change, with a strategic mindset for continuous improvement and scalability
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Provide mentorship and meaningful feedback to your team
QUALIFICATIONS
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Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field or equivalent experience required
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Minimum 5 years of relevant HR experience, preferably in high-volume or operational environments
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Experience supporting multiple business units and/or jurisdictions (Canada and U.S.) is an asset
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Payroll or Human Resources Management education or experience is a strong asset
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Knowledge of learning and development principles is a strong asset
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Technical and system expertise; HRIS or ADP knowledge is a strong asset
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Working knowledge of applicable employment legislation, including Ontario legislation (ESA, OHSA, Human Rights Code) and relevant U.S. federal and state laws (e.g., FLSA, OSHA, ADA, FMLA)
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Strong written and verbal communication and facilitation skills
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Self-motivated with strong project and time management capabilities
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Goal-oriented with a growth mindset
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Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion
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High level of initiative and empathy in supporting leaders and team members
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Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization
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Strong alignment to organizational values and ethical standards
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Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with learning platforms or tools is an asset
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Positive, adaptable, and solutions-focused mindset
***DUE TO VOLUME, ONLY SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED, NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.
Book Depot Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on any protected ground under applicable U.S. and Canadian law.
