HR GeneralistWe are seeking an on-site HR Generalist at our Elk Grove Village and/or Glendale Heights, IL facilities, reporting to the Director of Human Resources. As a trusted resource and coach for employees and plant leaders in our fast-paced food manufacturing environment, you will support employee relations, staffing, onboarding, benefits, timekeeping, and payroll while maintaining a regular presence on the production floor. The role requires a flexible 45-50-hour workweek, support across shifts, and travel between sites as needed.
What you will do...- Maintain an approachable presence on the production floor across shifts, build relationships with employees and plant leaders, and follow PPE and GMP requirements in production areas that can be cold, noisy, and near moving equipment.
- Advise and coach supervisors on consistent policy application, progressive discipline, documentation, leaves of absence, and collective bargaining agreement procedures.
- Lead or support employee investigations, disciplinary meetings, and terminations; maintain clear, timely and confidential documentation.
- Support union labor relations by applying collective bargaining agreement provisions, tracking issues, and assisting with grievances and responses within required timelines.
- Partner with Operations on headcount planning, temporary labor requests, staffing agency coordination, recruiting, and onboarding.
- Respond to employee questions about policies, Dayforce, benefits and pay; provide backup payroll support and resolve timekeeping or pay discrepancies.
- Manage personnel documentation, leave notices and compliance deadlines, employment verifications, HR reporting, and related administrative processes.
- Administer unemployment claims and help coordinate leaves, disability, workers' compensation, and return-to-work activities.
- Keep the Director of Human Resources informed of sensitive or emerging matters, with timely updates through resolution.
- Support employment compliance, employee engagement and retention; take initiative to address recurring issues and improve HR processes.
What you will bring...- Associate or bachelor's degree required, with 3+ years of HR Generalist experience supporting manufacturing operations and coaching supervisors or managers.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish required.
- Hands-on experience conducting employee investigations and disciplinary meetings required; experience in a unionized workplace preferred.
- Working knowledge of FMLA, ADA, FLSA, and applicable Illinois employment requirements.
- Leadership presence, strong judgment, initiative, communication, conflict-resolution, attention to detail, organization, and confidentiality skills; able to influence plant leadership confidently.
- Strong administrative skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and keep accurate, timely records.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR information systems; Dayforce experience a plus.
- PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or comparable HR certification a plus.
- Comfort with new technology and company-approved tools, including appropriate AI tools, while protecting sensitive information.
What we offer...- Highly competitive compensation and bonus programs
- Medical, Dental and Vision options for you and your family
- Safe-harbor 401(k) Plan with generous matching and immediate vesting
- Life, AD&D, Short and Long-term Disability Programs
- Health, Dependent Care, & Commuter Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Savings Account Contributions
- Additional Voluntary Benefit Programs
- Paid Vacations and Holidays
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Target Base Salary: $85,000 - $100,000 annually, plus eligibility for an annual performance bonus of up to 10%.
