Overview In this role you partner with two Chicago-area manufacturing sites to shape the employee experience and drive a high-performing culture. You will lead labor relations and guide organizational design, workforce planning, and talent development in a unionized environment. The position combines strategic HR partnership with hands-on operational support to enable business objectives. You will work closely with plant leadership to balance employee engagement, compliance, and workplace effectiveness across sites.
Compensation / Benefits- Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
- Annual incentive bonus eligibility
- Health savings and spending accounts
- 401k with company match
- Paid time off
- Life and Disability Insurance
Responsibilities- Lead and manage labor relations activities, including bargaining preparation, negotiations, contract administration, and grievance/arbitration processes across two facilities.
- Serve as primary contact for union relationships, supporting grievance handling, arbitration prep, and union leadership collaboration.
- Counsel site leadership on performance management, disciplinary actions, and workplace concerns; conduct objective fact-finding.
- Partner with site leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, and succession planning for critical roles.
- Provide coaching on performance, development, and career planning; oversee compensation guidance for promotions and adjustments.
- Interpret HR policies and ensure consistent application; analyze HR metrics with leadership to identify improvements.
- Partner with Talent Acquisition to attract talent, support workforce planning, and address skill gaps through development initiatives.
- Oversee HR operations for manufacturing sites, ensure compliance with laws, policies, and CBAs; participate in audits and manage leave/return-to-work processes.
Key requirements- Seven+ years of progressive HR experience in a unionized manufacturing environment (preferred).
- Experience with first-chair or primary union contract negotiations, including strategy and bargaining table participation.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. labor and employment laws and compliance.
- Experience managing high-volume, full-cycle talent acquisition.
- Bachelor in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
- Ability to travel and work between two sites.
- strong communication
- trust and credibility with employees and leadership
- conflict resolution
- labor relations
- contract administration
- arbitration preparation
