Employee Relations Partner II

Associate Relations Partner II

The Associate Relations Partner II is a mid-level associate relations professional responsible for providing strategic associate relations consultation to managers and associates pertaining to workforce matters and company and division policies and procedures in furtherance of business operations, associate engagement, and legal compliance. The AR Partner II will be assigned specific business teams or divisions which involve intermediate-level complexity and/or associate relations support, while also being called on to provide associate relations counseling or conduct workplace investigations for other teams or individual associates.

Take this opportunity to join North America's leading business solutions provider and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry! Apply today!

What we offer:

Full-Time Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)
• 401(k) with company match
• Training and Career Development
• Generous Paid Time-Off

Responsibilities:

• Strategic employee relations consultation to help align management actions with business objectives, Associate engagement, and legal compliance goals.
• Strategize with managers in improving work relationships, resolving associate concerns, enhancing Associate engagement and retention, and fostering compliance with company/division policy and applicable laws.
• Evaluate and address Associate grievances, identifying and recommending any appropriate action items to include without limitation, enhancements or changes in policies or practices as needed.
• Represent the company at unemployment hearings.
• Prepare and finalize employment action and investigation documentation. Input and update Associate relations tracker/ case manager.
• Lead and/or participate in special projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience required; SPHR or PHR certification preferred
• Experience in Human Resources 5+ Employee Relations counseling and investigations
• Paramount sensitivity to and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills
• Solid research, analysis, and problem-solving skills
• Advanced level knowledge of federal and state employment laws

Job Will Remain Open Until Filled

The Company is one of North America's leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The Company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Job Duty

Strategic associate relations consultation to help align management actions with business objectives, associate engagement, and legal compliance goals.

* Develop and maintain solid understanding of business goals and initiatives, company and division policies, and workforce compliance obligations.
* Provide strategic advice to managers on workforce matters including but not limited to associate development, retention, performance and conduct related disciplinary action, terminations, and organizational/divisional initiatives.
* Guide managers in assessing need for and developing associate-related communications including corrective action documentation.
* Strategize with managers in improving work relationships, resolving associate concerns, enhancing associate engagement and retention, and fostering compliance with company/division policy and applicable laws.
* Evaluate and address associate grievances, identifying and recommending any appropriate action items to include without limitation, enhancements or changes in policies or practices as needed. Partner with Associate Relations leadership team in development of any such policies.
* Evaluate value of dispute resolution to resolve workplace conflicts and mediate such disputes between associates and managers as needed.
* Handle RIF analysis and implementation with guidance from AR leadership team and Legal.
* Represent the company at unemployment hearings as needed.

Administrative Responsibilities
* Prepare and finalize employment action and investigation documentation
* Input and update associate relations incident management system

Project Management
* Lead and/or participate in special projects as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities for direct reports

Indirect Reports
- This position does not have guidance or mentoring responsibilities for indirect reports

Travel and/or Driving Requirements
- Travel is an essential duty and function of this job. Driving is not an essential duty or function of this job.
- Travel up to 5%

Minimum Qualifications

The following are the minimum job-related qualifications which an individual needs in order to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job

Education Level: (Required): Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Field of Study/Area of Experience: Human Resources
3-5 Years of experience in Associate Relations counseling and investigations

SPHR or PHR certification preferred

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Paramount sensitivity to and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills
• Customer service orientation
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Strong prioritization skills
• Proven conflict management skills
• Strong qualitative analysis and decision making skills
• Solid research, analysis, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment
• Ability to work effectively with management
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
• Track record of building and maintaining customer/client relationships
• Flexible and adaptable, able to change and alter according to changes in projects or business environment
• Ability to work independently and prioritize duties with minimal supervision, in order to meet deadlines
• Ability to work cooperatively with others toward common group objectives, demonstrates respect for the ideas and contributions of other team members, cultivates positive relationships with other associates
• High level of professionalism
• Ability to effectively balance business objectives, associate interests, and compliance obligations
• Ability to solicit and be receptive to feedback
• Intermediate level knowledge of federal and state employment laws
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web-browsers

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Office / Sedentary Requirements
Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Typically requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time (66%+ each day), ability to hear the telephone, ability to enter data on a computer and may also require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds.

Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions

Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one's supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.

The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.