Employee Relations Specialist

Employee Relations Specialist

The Employee Relations Specialist is responsible for supporting positive employee relations and promoting consistent, fair, and effective application of company policies and employment practices across Byrne Dairy & Deli retail locations.

This position serves as a primary Human Resources resource for Store Managers, District Managers, Regional Managers, and employees regarding workplace concerns, employee conduct, conflict resolution, and corrective action.

The Employee Relations Specialist is also responsible for overseeing and advancing employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention throughout the company. This position will develop, implement, and evaluate programs designed to improve the employee experience, increase employee satisfaction, strengthen employee retention, recognize employee contributions, and promote the company as a top employer within the communities it serves.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The list below contains tasks that are typically associated with the job. It is not all-inclusive and may vary.

Employee Relations Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employees and members of management regarding employee relations concerns, workplace issues, company policies, and employment practices.
• Provide guidance and support to Store Managers, District Managers, Regional Managers, and department leaders regarding employee performance, conflict resolution, corrective action, employee engagement, and retention.
• Respond to employee questions and concerns in a timely, professional, consistent, and confidential manner.
• Promote positive employee relations and assist in creating a respectful, inclusive, supportive, and productive work environment.
• Build trusted relationships with employees and members of management throughout the organization.
• Identify recurring employee relations concerns and recommend proactive solutions, training, programs, or policy improvements.
• Assist management with resolving workplace conflicts and improving communication among employees and members of management.

Employee Satisfaction, Engagement, and Retention

• Oversee company initiatives related to employee satisfaction, employee engagement, employee recognition, workplace culture, and employee retention.
• Create short-term and long-term employee engagement and retention strategies that support the company's operational goals and workforce needs.
• Regularly evaluate employee satisfaction and identify opportunities to improve the overall employee experience.
• Develop and administer employee satisfaction surveys, engagement surveys, pulse surveys, stay interviews, focus groups, and other employee feedback programs.
• Review and evaluate employee survey results and develop action plans to address identified concerns and opportunities.
• Develop and implement employee recognition and appreciation programs that acknowledge employee performance, accomplishments, years of service, attendance, teamwork, customer service, and contributions to the company.
• Recommend improvements to communication, recognition, training, career development, onboarding, management practices, workplace culture, and the overall employee experience.
• Maintain awareness of employee engagement and retention trends and recommend innovative programs appropriate for a multi-location convenience store organization.
• Provide managers with tools and resources to improve employee engagement, communication, recognition, morale, and retention within their teams.

Employee Feedback and Retention Analysis

• Conduct employee stay interviews to identify why employees remain with the company and determine opportunities to improve long-term retention.
• Review employee exit interviews and separation information to identify common reasons employees leave the organization.
• Analyze employee turnover by location, district, position, department, length of service, management team, and other relevant factors.
• Identify stores or departments experiencing high employee turnover, low engagement, employee satisfaction concerns, or recurring employee relations issues.
• Measure the results of employee retention initiatives and modify programs based on employee feedback and business outcomes.

Workplace Investigations

• Conduct prompt, thorough, fair, and objective investigations involving employee complaints and workplace concerns.
• Interview complainants, employees, witnesses, and members of management as part of the investigation process.
• Review relevant documentation, employee records, policies, schedules, timekeeping records, video footage, written statements, and other available information.
• Prepare clear and detailed investigation summaries, including findings and recommended next steps.
• Maintain accurate and confidential investigation records.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field preferred.
• Three or more years of Human Resources, employee relations, employee engagement, organizational development, or employee retention experience preferred.
• Experience developing or supporting employee engagement, satisfaction, recognition, or retention programs preferred.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting a multi-location retail, convenience store, restaurant, hospitality, or other fast-paced operation preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Human Resources systems, and employee survey or engagement platforms.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annually Salary $70,000 - $80,000
• Paid Time Off
• Health, Dental, Vision Benefits
• 401k with Company Match