HR Generalist

Catallia Mexican Foods, LLC is looking for an HR Generalist to join our team! Position Overview This hands-on position serves as the primary administrator for employee leaves of absence, workers’ compensation, workplace accommodations, employee relations, and payroll. The HR Generalist ensures timely, accurate, and compliant administration of these programs; partners with employees and leaders to resolve workplace matters; maintains confidential records; and supports consistent application of company policies and applicable employment laws. Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions Administer leaves of absence: Serve as the primary contact for FMLA, Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), disability, and other applicable federal, state, and company leave programs. Determine eligibility, issue required notices, collect certifications, track deadlines and leave usage, maintain communication, and coordinate return-to-work requirements. Manage workers’ compensation: Coordinate injury reporting, claims, medical documentation, wage and work-status information, return-to-work activities, and communication with employees, leaders, carriers, providers, and applicable agencies. Administer workplace accommodations: Lead the interactive process under the ADAAA and applicable laws, including timely acknowledgment, documentation, evaluation, implementation, confidentiality, and follow-up with employees, leaders, and health care providers. Lead employee relations support: Advise employees and supervisors on attendance, conduct, policy interpretation, conflict resolution, corrective action, performance management, and other workplace matters. Conduct prompt, fair, and well-documented workplace investigations; identify findings and risks; recommend appropriate action; and monitor follow-through. Own payroll administration: Serve as the primary payroll contact and processor. Review timekeeping, enter employee changes and payroll inputs, administer benefit deductions, research discrepancies, coordinate corrections, complete payroll audits and reconciliations, and ensure accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing before each cutoff. Maintain accurate HRIS, payroll, leave, accommodation, employee-relations, and workers’ compensation records, protecting confidentiality and data integrity. Maintain required notices, postings, reports, files, and supporting documentation; perform scheduled audits and support regulatory, payroll, benefits, and internal compliance reviews. Review and maintain relevant employee handbook provisions, HR policies, procedures, forms, and employee communications. Explain leave, workers’ compensation, accommodation, payroll, and employee-relations processes clearly in English and Spanish and provide culturally responsive support. Partner with HR leadership, supervisors, employees, payroll and benefits partners, carriers, and providers to resolve issues and ensure consistent administration. Actively participate in Food Safety and Food Defense activities and perform additional duties as directed. Additional Responsibilities Monitor and maintain accurate, up-to-date Form I-9 records for all employees in accordance with federal requirements. Track employment authorization expiration dates and ensure timely follow-up on required reverifications, renewals, and updated documentation, as applicable. Proactively communicate with employees regarding expiring work authorization and coordinate the completion of required documentation within applicable deadlines. Maintain confidential employment eligibility records and ensure compliance with applicable federal immigration and employment verification regulations. Serve as the primary backup to the HR Manager for day-to-day HR operations, employee communications, and urgent employee matters. Serve as a backup to the Total Rewards and Talent Acquisition artner. Coordinate with designated backup personnel to maintain continuity for payroll, leave, workers’ compensation, accommodations, and employee-relations matters during absences. Provide limited recruiting and onboarding support as business needs require. Basic Qualifications Must have a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience. Must understand applicable employment, leave, wage-and-hour, disability accommodation, and workers’ compensation requirements. Must be proficient with HRIS, timekeeping, spreadsheet, and database systems. Must demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, organization, attention to detail, and the ability to manage sensitive matters and competing deadlines. Must be able to work varied hours when needed to support payroll deadlines and employees across all shifts. Must be bilingual in English and Spanish. Physical Requirements Ability to lift boxes and other materials weighing up to 30 pounds. Ability to remain seated for extended periods throughout the workday, with the flexibility to move around the facility as needed. Ability to work in an office and manufacturing environment and interact with employees across various departments and shifts. Preferred Qualifications Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, PHR, or a payroll credential. Experience administering FMLA or other leaves of absence, workers’ compensation claims, and workplace accommodations. Payroll processing experience, including timekeeping review, employee changes, deductions, audits, reconciliations, and discrepancy resolution. Experience administering payroll and employee programs in a manufacturing, food-production, retail, or other multi-shift environment. 2 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including hands-on responsibility for employee relations and confidential employee matters. Experience with Minnesota leave, workers’ compensation, and employment requirements. Strong investigation, conflict-resolution, employee communication, and case-management skills. Position Backup Absences are to be covered by the HR Manager or another trained designee. Payroll, active leave cases, workers’ compensation claims, accommodation matters, and urgent employee-relations issues must be transferred with current status and required deadlines. Compensation & Benefits Accrual-based Earned Sick and Safe Time Salary: $70,000 to $90,000 annually Health, dental, and vision insurance 3 weeks PTO (increases after 5 years) 401(k) with up to 4% match Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals With Disabilities The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.41CFR60-1.35(c) Catallia Mexican Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr