HR Generalist-Mercersburg, Pennsylvania

The Human Resources Generalist:  HR Generalist delivers core HR services: employee relations, leader coaching, compliance, compensation guidance, engagement, and policy governance across a manufacturing environment. The role partners closely with others in HR for payroll, benefits, HRIS (ADP), leave administration and total rewards, and reports directly to the Human Resources Manager. 

HR Leadership
• Serve as the key HR contact for managers and employees on HR matters, employment law, policies, and procedures; coach leaders on performance, feedback, and documentation.
• Oversee performance management cycles; guide corrective action/discipline with fairness and consistency.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state labor laws and company policies; maintain strong HR fundamentals (records, documentation, HRIS data integrity) and consistency with other Herbruck’s facilities.
• Champion engagement and a culture of safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Employee Relations
• Lead and resolve employee relations issues (investigations, conflict resolution, attendance/performance) with timely, well-documented actions.
• Interpret policies and employment laws; ensure consistent communication and application across teams.
• Analyze data from surveys, exits, and stay interviews; identify trends and drive targeted retention actions.
• Collaborate with supervisors to apply consistent coaching and solutions that improve team climate and results.

Training & Development
• Identify site training needs (front-line and leadership) and coordinate/facilitate workshops and skill-building.
• Support leader capability (communication, coaching, delegation, feedback, performance reviews).

Culture, Engagement & Organizational Effectiveness
• Co-lead engagement initiatives (surveys, action planning, recognition) and programs that strengthen the employee experience, safety culture, and cross-shift communication.
• Partner in performance management improvements and career pathways for plant roles.

Program & Policy Management
• Implement and maintain HR policies and programs aligned with plant operations, food safety, and customer/regulatory requirements, support audit readiness.
• Ensure consistent execution of HR processes (records, leaves, accommodations, investigations, and responses to customer/third-party audits).

Compensation & Total Rewards Guidance
• Advise leaders on offers, internal equity, job architecture, and shift differentials; support annual recognition and compensation cycles in partnership with the CHRO and HR colleagues.

COE & Cross-Functional Partnership
• Liaise with HR colleagues for payroll and benefits; ensure accurate and timely transactions (hiring, changes, terminations) and issue resolution.
• Partner with Plant leadership on daily production meetings and ramp planning so staffing, scheduling, and HR processes support safety, quality, and cost goals.

Other Responsibilities
• Be flexible and adaptive to additional duties as assigned; contribute to HR initiatives across Herbruck’s locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, or related field—or equivalent experience; PHR/SPHR or SHRM‑CP/SCP preferred.
• 5+ years of HR or related experience with employee relations in operations (food/agriculture, manufacturing, or distribution), multi-site experience preferred.
• Working familiarity with audit frameworks for plant environments (e.g., SEDEX, SQF/BRC, FDA Preventive Controls) and OSHA basics for partnership with EHS.
• Data-savvy; comfortable with HRIS (ADP) and Microsoft tools (Excel/Teams) to analyze trends and inform decisions.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and follow-through; effective with leaders and employees at all levels.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

Physical Demands

Work occurs in office and on the plant floor; must be able to move about facilities, don required PPE, and occasionally lift up to 25 lbs. Exposure to typical plant conditions (variable temperatures/noise; proximity to moving mechanical parts) during floor presence; extended hours/weekends may occasionally be required during start up, off-site events or peak demand. Biosecurity compliance is essential, including restrictions on routine contact with other poultry/livestock operations. Occasional travel to other Herbruck’s sites may be required.