Associate Manager, HRBP

The Knorr manufacturing facility in Independence, MO—located just 15 minutes east of downtown Kansas City—is a unionized, 24/7 operation. The Associate Manager, HR Business Partner serves as the primary on site HR contact and trusted partner to approximately 300 hourly team members and front line leaders. This role plays a critical part in delivering a positive employee experience while ensuring fair, consistent, and compliant application of company policies and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Working closely with HR Operations and People Partner teams, the Associate Manager, HRBP supports employee relations, performance management, onboarding, engagement, and change initiatives in a fast paced manufacturing environment. Employee & Labor Relations Serve as the first point of contact for employee relations questions, concerns, and grievances. Fairly and consistently administer the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in a union environment. Support union negotiations and collective bargaining processes, including implementation of agreements. Conduct employee relations investigations, including interviews, documentation, corrective actions, and counseling. Promote a respectful, inclusive, and proactive employee relations environment. Performance Management & Leader Support Coach and counsel hourly employees and front line leaders on performance, conduct, attendance, and policy matters. Support leaders through the performance management process, including feedback conversations and documentation. Provide guidance to supervisors on delivering effective feedback and corrective action in compliance with employment laws. HR Operations & Compliance Act as a subject matter expert for HR policies, processes, and systems, partnering with centralized HR support teams as needed. Manage escalation of HR issues through resolution while maintaining clear communication with all stakeholders. Administer medical accommodation processes in alignment with company policy and federal and state regulations. Participate in affirmative action and compliance related activities. Employee Engagement & Continuous Improvement Monitor employee engagement and climate indicators and identify opportunities to improve the employee experience. Partner with leaders to address people trends and implement practical, local solutions. Support continuous improvement of HR processes and ways of working at the site level. Hiring, Onboarding & Projects Partner with recruitment on hourly hiring needs and support the end to end onboarding process. Coordinate onboarding activities with safety, operations, payroll, and benefits teams to ensure a smooth new hire experience. Lead or participate in local HR projects and initiatives from start to finish. Qualifications Required 5+ years of HR experience in a manufacturing or factory environment; union experience strongly preferred. Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field. Demonstrated experience conducting employee relations investigations and handling grievances. Solid working knowledge of employment law and employee relations practices. Strong communication, judgment, and problem solving skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast paced environment. Preferred Experience with Kronos timekeeping; UKG payroll and Workday or similar HR systems preferred. Work Schedule Willingness to support off shift operations, including maintaining a stable schedule to support third shift team members. Flexibility to adjust schedule and travel as business needs require. Pay The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. Unilever considers a wide range of factors that influence compensation, including skill sets, experience, training, licensure and certifications, qualifications, education, and other business and organizational needs. Bonus This position is bonus eligible. LTI This position is LTI eligible. Benefits Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Employees may choose from a range of benefits including health insurance (prescription drug, dental, and vision), retirement savings, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, and various voluntary benefits. Coverage details follow applicable plan documents and governing plan provisions. Equal Employment Opportunity Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities. For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. Disability Accommodation If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Unilever