Richard Plourde
About Richard Plourde
Richard Plourde serves as the Manager of Training and Development at JD Irving St-Léonard Sawmill, where he has worked since 2019. With a background in health and safety coordination and a degree in Forest Science from the Université de Moncton, he focuses on enhancing operational training initiatives.
Work at J.D. Irving
Richard Plourde currently serves as the Manager of Training and Development at J.D. Irving, Limited's St-Léonard Sawmill. He has held this position since 2019, overseeing training initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency. His responsibilities include upgrading the operational training material specifically for sawmill operations. Prior to this role, he worked as a Health & Safety Coordinator at J.D. Irving for nine years, where he contributed to safety protocols at the St-Leonard and Kedgwick Sawmills, as well as Black Brook Woodlands.
Previous Experience in Health and Safety
Before joining J.D. Irving, Richard Plourde worked as a Health & Safety Coordinator at Boise Cascade Company from 2005 to 2010. In this role, he was responsible for implementing safety measures at the ALLjoist Facility in St-Jacques, New Brunswick. His extensive experience in health and safety spans over a decade, contributing to his expertise in operational safety within the forestry and sawmill sectors.
Education and Expertise
Richard Plourde holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Science from the Université de Moncton, which he completed from 1987 to 1993. His educational background provides him with a strong foundation in forest science, which complements his operational experience in the sawmill industry. Additionally, he has pursued further studies at the Université de Moncton, enhancing his qualifications in training and development.
Bilingual Communication Skills
Richard Plourde is proficient in both French and English, enabling effective communication in a bilingual work environment. This skill is particularly valuable in the context of training and development, as it allows him to engage with a diverse workforce and deliver training materials in both languages.
Strong Operations Background
Richard Plourde has a robust operations background, particularly in the forestry sector. His focus on forest science and extensive experience in health and safety within sawmill operations contribute to his comprehensive understanding of operational processes. This expertise informs his current role in training and development, where he aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of employees at J.D. Irving's St-Léonard Sawmill.