Department: Human Resources
Reports to: Senior HR Business Partner
Location: Grovetown, GA, USA
Shift: First

FLSA Status: Exempt

OVERVIEW:

The Employee Relations Partner is a senior HR professional responsible for the company's employee relations program, with a primary focus on workplace investigations, discipline, and employee separations. Working under the oversight of the Senior HR Business Partner, this role conducts thorough, objective investigations into employee complaints and concerns, guides managers through disciplinary actions and performance counseling, and manages the termination process from decision through offboarding. The Employee Relations Partner serves as a trusted, consistent point of contact for managers and employees on sensitive workplace matters, helping the company mitigate risk, ensure fair and consistent treatment, and maintain a respectful, compliant work environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Workplace Investigations:

• Lead and conduct thorough, objective investigations into employee complaints, concerns, and policy violations, in coordination with and under the oversight of the Senior HR Business Partner
• Gather and document evidence, interview witnesses, and prepare clear, well-supported investigation summaries and recommendations
• Ensure investigations are conducted consistently, fairly, and in compliance with company policy and applicable employment law
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate documentation throughout the investigation process

Discipline & Performance Counseling:

• Partner with managers to assess performance and conduct issues and determine appropriate corrective action
• Conduct disciplinary meetings and counseling sessions with employees, clearly communicating expectations, consequences, and improvement plans
• Create, issue, and document disciplinary actions (verbal warnings, written warnings, etc.)
• Coach managers on how to address performance and conduct concerns proactively and consistently

Terminations & Offboarding:

• Manage the termination process for involuntary and voluntary separations, including reviewing termination decisions for consistency and legal compliance
• Conduct termination meetings and exit interviews
• Coordinate final pay, benefits continuation, and offboarding logistics with Payroll and Benefits
• Identify trends in turnover and separations and share insights with the Senior HR Business Partner and leadership

Employee Relations & Advisory Support:

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for employees and managers on employee relations questions, conflicts, and concerns
• Promote positive employee relations and foster a respectful, inclusive work environment
• Advise managers on employee relations best practices, policy interpretation, and risk mitigation
• Escalate complex or high-risk matters to the Senior HR Business Partner as appropriate

Compliance & Documentation:

• Stay current on employment laws, regulations, and labor law changes affecting discipline, investigations, and terminations
• Ensure employee relations actions are conducted in accordance with company policy, procedures, and applicable law
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready employee relations records and documentation in the HRIS and case management systems

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field required

• Experience: 7+ years of progressive HR experience, with substantial experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, and employee discipline required; experience partnering with legal counsel or HR Business Partners on complex employee relations matters preferred; PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification preferred; certified workplace investigator training a plus

SKILLS / COMPETENCIES:

• Sound judgment and objectivity when conducting sensitive workplace investigations
• Strong knowledge of employment law, disciplinary process, and termination best practices
• Excellent interviewing, active listening, and documentation skills
• Ability to communicate difficult messages with clarity, empathy, and professionalism
• High degree of discretion and ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills, able to guide managers through difficult conversations
• Sound decision-making and risk-assessment skills
• Proficiency in HRIS and case-management systems (Workday, ADP, UKG, Kronos) and MS Office Suite

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Primarily desk-type duty
• Regular standing and walking through a plant environment