Employee & Labor Relations Specialist Senior

Employee & Labor Relations Specialist

Located in the heart of Central Ohio, Illuminate USA is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we've rapidly grown to over 1,500 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere.

This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We're not just building solar panels—we're building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you're looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you!

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.

We are seeking an experienced Employee & Labor Relations Specialist with 10+ years of expertise in union relations, investigations, and employee relations strategy. This role will serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and HR teams, providing guidance on complex labor and employee relations issues while ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements, employment laws, and company policies. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in manufacturing and unionized environments, a bachelor's degree, and SHRM certification.

Key Responsibilities

• Union Relations & Contract Administration
• Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) to ensure consistent compliance across the organization.
• Act as a point of contact for union representatives on employee concerns, grievances, and workplace matters.
• Track, document, and respond to grievances, ensuring timely and accurate resolution.
• Investigations & Compliance
• Lead complex and sensitive investigations into allegations of harassment, discrimination, misconduct, retaliation, and workplace disputes.
• Collect and analyze evidence, conduct witness interviews, and prepare detailed investigation reports.
• Provide findings and actionable recommendations to leadership in alignment with company policy, CBAs, and legal standards.
• Grievance Handling & Case Management
• Manage grievance cases from intake through resolution, maintaining accurate documentation and communication.
• Partner with managers, HR, and legal counsel to resolve disputes in compliance with CBAs and employment laws.
• Identify and track grievance trends, escalating systemic issues to leadership as needed.
• Prepare grievance cases for arbitration. Ensure witnesses are reliable and prepared to testify in arbitration hearings.
• Prepare arbitration files and ensure all evidence is captured and available for hearings.
• Policy & Risk Management
• Review, interpret, and enforce workplace policies to ensure fairness and compliance.
• Identify employee relations risks and recommend proactive strategies to minimize future disputes.
• Monitor changes in labor and employment law, advising leadership on necessary policy and practice updates.
• Training & Guidance
• Coach and support managers in handling employee relations matters, including performance management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions.
• Develop and deliver training programs to enhance leadership capabilities in employee and labor relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or related field
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in employee and labor relations.
• Strong background in manufacturing and unionized work environments required.
• Expertise in labor contract interpretation, grievance handling, and investigations.
• In-depth knowledge of labor laws, employment regulations, and HR compliance practices.
• Exceptional communication, (verbal & written communication skills a must), negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage highly confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to identify and mitigate mid-contract issues and minimize impact on next negotiations process.

At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward.

Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.