Human Resources Generalist (Bi-Lingual)

Company Summary:

At Häns Kissle, we strive to deliver the simple goodness of home in every bite. Founded in 1984, Häns Kissle began as the regional commissary for a small, high-end grocery chain in New England, MA, crafting fresh, upscale prepared foods and deli salads. Today we have two manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts and North Carolina.

Job Summary:

The HR Generalist serves as a hands-on HR partner within a manufacturing environment, with primary responsibility for recruiting, employee relations, unemployment administration, and management of the site's temporary employee program. This role works closely with plant leadership, staffing partners, and employees to support workforce stability, compliance, and a positive employee experience. The ideal candidate is bilingual (English/Spanish), experienced in manufacturing operations, and comfortable working onsite with a high-volume hourly workforce.

Key Responsibilities:

Recruiting & Workforce Staffing

• Lead full-cycle recruiting for hourly and salaried plant roles, including job postings, screening, interviewing, offer coordination, and onboarding.
• Partner closely with plant leadership to understand staffing needs and workforce planning requirements.
• Manage and administer the temporary employee program for the location, including:

• Partnering with temporary staffing agencies
• Coordinating requisitions, onboarding, and orientation for temp employees
• Monitoring attendance, performance, and conversion readiness
• Serving as the primary point of contact for agency-related issues

Employee Relations

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee relations matters, responding to concerns and questions in both English and Spanish.
• Partner with supervisors and managers on performance management, coaching, corrective action, and policy interpretation.
• Conduct or support workplace investigations as needed and provide guidance consistent with company policy and employment laws.
• Support a positive employee experience on the plant floor through regular visibility and engagement.

Unemployment & Compliance Administration

• Manage unemployment administration for the location, including claim responses, documentation, hearings, and coordination with third-party vendors or state agencies.
• Maintain accurate and timely records related to employee separations, attendance, disciplinary actions, and employment status changes.
• Support compliance with federal and state employment laws and internal HR policies.

Onboarding, Engagement & Communication

• Participate in new hire onboarding and orientation for both direct hire and temporary employees as needed.
• Lead and track the 30-60-90 day new hire check-in process, ensuring feedback is completed, documented, and escalated as appropriate.
• Coordinate plant-wide town halls and employee communication meetings, including logistics, content coordination, and follow-up.
• Own and manage the company newsletter, including content development, coordination with leadership, and distribution.

HR Operations & Recordkeeping

• Translate HR documents and provide bilingual support during meetings, trainings, and employee interactions.
• Participate in HR and employee engagement initiatives in coordination with the broader HR team.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations and organizational needs.

Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Promote and enforce workplace safety policies and procedures.
• Support factory improvement initiatives individually and with cross-functional teams.
• Participate in root cause analysis and problem-solving initiatives.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Minimum degree and experience:

• High School Diploma and/or equivalent experience required
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• A minimum of 3 years of HR experience preferred
• Food manufacturing experience, preferred
• Experience with unemployment claims administration and hearings preferred
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required

Specific competencies required:

• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and related program software
• Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and verbal
• Ability to translate HR concepts, policies and processes clearly for a bilingual workforce
• Comfortable addressing sensitive issues directly with employees and supervisors
• Maintains visibility and approachability on the production floor
• Maintains through and defensible employment records related to attendance, discipline and terminations
• High level of integrity, discretion and professionalism
• Strong organizational and time management skills in a fast paced environment
• Ability to balance employee advocacy with business needs
• Self-directed and accountable

Physical Requirements:

• This is an onsite position based at a manufacturing facility and requires onsite presence five days per week.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time, including regular movement between the office and production floor.
• Ability to navigate a manufacturing environment, including exposure to varying temperatures, noise levels, and workplace conditions typical of food manufacturing operations.
• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, reach, or climb stairs during employee interactions, orientations, audits, or events.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25-50 pounds, such as materials for onboarding, employee events, or training setups.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and in writing, in both English and Spanish.
• When present in production areas, personal protective equipment (PPE) is required, which may include safety shoes, hair/beard nets, safety glasses, and hearing protection.
• Prolonged periods of working at a computer utilizing typical office equipment (keyboard, mouse, monitor).

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Work Location: This is a fully onsite position based at our manufacturing facility in Haverhill, MA and requires an in-person presence five days per week.

Compensation Range: $65,800 - $102,900 annually. Actual compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Additional Benefits:

• Annual bonus incentive
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Pet Insurance
• Company-paid Mental Health Resources
• Opportunities for professional development