Senior Human Resources Generalist

Rookwood Pottery is seeking a Senior HR Generalist to own and strengthen the company's core human resources function. Reporting directly to the President, this is a hands‑on, build‑and‑run role for someone who wants real ownership — not a seat in a large HR department, but the HR professional for a growing, ~65-person manufacturing company who sets the standard for how we hire, support, and take care of our people. You'll run the day‑to‑day across employee relations, benefits, onboarding, compliance, and records, while improving the systems underneath them over time. The right person is equally comfortable on the production floor and in a leadership meeting, exercises sound judgment and discretion with sensitive matters, and keeps leadership genuinely informed. This role carries clear authority and direct access to the President, and offers the chance to build durable HR systems in a stable, hands‑on environment. Key Responsibilities Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations across production, retail, and administrative teams Manage discipline, performance documentation, corrective action, and terminations — applied consistently and fairly across every department Advise and coach managers on handling employee matters with fairness and good judgment Maintain clear, accurate documentation supporting every employment decision Benefits & Insurance Lead administration of the company's health, dental, vision, and ancillary benefit programs Partner with our broker and carriers on plan design, open enrollment, and cost management (we are actively modernizing our benefits — you'll help shape it) Own employee benefits communication and reconcile enrollment and payroll deductions for accuracy Answer employee benefit questions promptly and professionally HR Systems & Payroll Partnership Administer our HRIS (ADP Workforce Now) — employee records, onboarding, time & attendance, and reporting Partner with Finance on payroll as a two‑person control: HR builds and verifies from approved time records, Finance reviews and submits Identify and implement improvements to HR workflows, internal controls, and data accuracy Onboarding, Compliance & Safety Own onboarding end to end, including Form I‑9 completion and new‑hire orientation Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment law — including FMLA, ADA/PWFA accommodations, FLSA classification, ACA/ALE reporting, and EEO Support workplace safety and OSHA compliance in a manufacturing setting, partnering with operations Support audits, reporting, and internal reviews Handbook, Records & Development Maintain the employee handbook as a living, practical, enforceable document; revise policies as operations and law evolve Keep complete, accurate, and confidential personnel files and manage record retention Support onboarding and compliance‑related training, and help managers with performance documentation Qualifications 3-7 years in an HR generalist role, ideally including time as the sole or lead HR person for a site or company Direct experience with employee relations, discipline, and terminations Experience administering benefits and working with insurance brokers/carriers Hands‑on HRIS/payroll experience — ADP Workforce Now strongly preferred Working knowledge of employment law and HR compliance (FMLA, ADA, I‑9, FLSA, ACA, OSHA) Manufacturing, operations, or similar hourly‑plus‑salaried environment strongly preferred Exceptional judgment, discretion, and confidentiality, and a track record of keeping leadership informed PHR/SPHR or SHRM‑CP/SCP a plus Compensation & Benefits $70,000-85,000 base, depending on experience Medical, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) Why This Role This is a role for an HR professional who values clarity, consistency, and accountability. You'll have direct access to ownership, real authority, and the opportunity to build durable systems that make a lasting difference in a company that makes something it's proud of. #J-18808-Ljbffr