Human Resource Generalist

Full Time

Clerical

PF - Dubuque, Dubuque, IA, US

Human Resources Generalist

(Non-Union / Salary)

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: General Manager

Location: Dubuque, IA (on site)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, Thrift, Life Insurance

Standard Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM (subject to management’s discretion) and some work outside of these time frames.

Position Overview

The HR Generalist is responsible for supporting the full range of Human Resources functions in a union setting. This position serves as a trusted HR resource to plant leadership, supervisors, managers, union employees, and union representatives.

The HR Generalist provides day-to-day HR support across employee and labor relations, recruitment, onboarding, benefits, payroll coordination, attendance, performance management, training, compliance, investigations, employee engagement, and HR administration.

This position requires a strong understanding of HR needs in a manufacturing environment, including hourly production employees, multiple shifts, overtime, attendance requirements, workplace safety, food safety, and the administration of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA)

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary HR contact for non-union and union employees & representatives, while partnering with plant management to maintain a safe and productive labor-management relationship.

• Assist with grievance administration, including researching facts, documenting issues, preparing responses, and tracking grievances through resolution.

• Coordinate recruitment and hiring of hourly and salaried employees.

• Post positions, review applications, conduct interviews, coordinate resting, and facilitate the selection process.

• Coordinate and conduct new employee orientation and onboarding.

• Ensure new employees understand workplace expectations, benefits, policies, and applicable union requirements.

• Monitor attendance and provide guidance to supervisors regarding attendance issues and applicable CBA provisions correctly and consistently.

• Assist with administration of FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation leave, and other applicable leaves in coordination with the appropriate HR resources or third-party administrators and the corporate offices.

• Assist employees with benefit enrollment, changes, and general benefit questions.

• Coach supervisors on documenting performance issues and providing effective feedback.

• Maintain accurate training records and documentation.

• Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.

• Partner with the management team to support compliance with company policies, food safety requirements, GMPs, sanitation requirements, and other plant standards.

• May be required to work outside of normal business hours at times, this may include travel, which is reimbursed by the company.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.

• 1-3 years of HR or administrative experience, preferably in manufacturing or another hourly workforce environment.

• Working knowledge of basic employment laws and HR practices.

The following is preferred:

• Post secondary degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or a related field; or equivalent HR experience.

• Experience working in a unionized manufacturing environment.

• Experience working with a collective bargaining agreement.

• Experience with FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, and other leave administration.

• PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar HR certification.

• Experience in dairy, food processing, beverage, or other regulated manufacturing environments.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS/timekeeping systems.

• Strong understanding of HR fundamentals and employee relations.

• Ability to interpret and apply a collective bargaining agreement.

• Strong conflict-resolution and time management skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively with employees from diverse backgrounds and experience levels.

• Ability to establish trust and credibility with both employees and management.

Required Soft Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgement.

• Ability to work effectively with employees, supervisors, management, and union representatives.

• Strong documentation and investigative skills.

Competency

• Must be able to read and write English and perform basic math calculations.

• Effective time management skills to achieve results through prioritizing demands.

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills.

• Strong attention-to-detail and organizational skills.

• Must demonstrate proficiency in essential tasks and a willingness to learn.

• Strong Excel skills including, but not limited to, creating and formatting spreadsheets, using formulas and functions to manage large datasets (IF, SUM, INDEX, MATCH, VLOOKUP), and create charts/graphs

Working Conditions

• Typically in a office setting but will at times need to visit the plant production floor and production areas where there can be loud noise which may cause the worker to should in order to be heard above ambient noise level.

• Exposure to a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and exposure to heat/cold temperature changes.

• May be required to sit, stand, or walk for prolonged period of times.

• Required to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms on a repetitive basis.

• the employee must be able to lift, push, pull, and move up to 50 pounds.

• Requires visual acuity to review written documentations; ability to hear and understand speech.

About Prairie Farms – “Farmer Owned. Locally Produced. Since 1938.”

We are a farmer-owned cooperative. This means we are owned and operated by over 800+ farm families who are critical members of society. They have selflessly taken on the tremendous task of producing nutritious, high-quality milk for a growing population, which requires being on the job 24/7, 365 days a year.

We have represented American agriculture since our founding in 1938. Many of our dairy farms are operated by several generations of family members with roots dating back to the 1800s. On average, each farm milks around 120 cows and everyone pitches in to keep them happy and healthy - which means around-the-clock care!

Our Mission:

• To produce dairy products of the highest quality

• To conduct our business with professional integrity

• To exceed expectations of our customers and consumers

• To support our communities in a positive, sustainable manner

• To deliver exceptional patronage to our network of farm families

• To simply “do right” for our farm families, employees, and communities

EEO Statement

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.