HR Generalist/Employee Relations/Payroll

Position Summary As an HR Generalist, you’ll be at the heart of creating a positive, people‑first workplace where employees feel supported and valued. In this dynamic role, you’ll partner with leaders and employees alike, driving retention efforts, supporting labor relations, and ensuring smooth, compliant HR operations. From collaborating on staffing needs and managing job bids to providing guidance on policies and fostering an inclusive culture, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day. If you’re passionate about building strong teams and shaping a thriving work environment, this is the role for you.

Responsibilities Employee Relations: Foster a positive labor and employee relations environment, facilitate workplace investigations or other inquiries under the guidance of the site HR leader. Maintain and enhance the location’s HR initiatives, promote a culture of trust and engagement, actively listen, provide constructive feedback, recognition, and gratitude, and serve as a visible business partner by regularly visiting the production floor and engaging employees at all levels.

Retention and Workforce Management: Collaborate with the plant management team to ensure hourly production employee retention aligns with HR metrics and goals. Complete data entry and review of the time and attendance system; assist with job fairs, training and development workshops, new hire onboarding, labor relations, and payroll processing. Partner with Talent Acquisition to create and manage job requisitions, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.

Communication and Training: Effectively communicate and demonstrate Smithfield’s ROI guiding principles and provide necessary resources to empower employees, including FMLA, LOA, ADA, Workday resources, etc., Data Management and Compliance: Assist with the preparation and oversight of HR‑related audits (e.g., SMETA/SWA), maintain accurate records in the Human Resources Information System (HRIS), ensuring data integrity and compliance with company policies and regulations.

Strategic Human Resources Guidance: Work with the site HR leader to drive the success of the HR department, offering guidance on HR policies and procedures, handling labor relation meetings, records management, employee inquiries, community relations, and employee events. Collect and analyze HR data to make recommendations on workforce planning, conduct orientation, and support on‑the‑job training initiatives.

Qualifications Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university in Human Resources, Business Management, or a related field and at least 2years of related experience (or equivalent education and experience).

Solid understanding of employment law practices and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Bilingual in Spanish or another language preferred.

Experience administering benefits, compensation, and other HR programs with proficiency in HRIS systems such as Workday, payroll, time‑keeping systems, and the Microsoft Office Suite. Previous Workday/HCM experience preferred.

Ability to lift up to 15pounds and work in an environment that may include wet or humid conditions, extreme cold and heat, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.

Physical Demands & Work Environment The majority of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant. The plant environment includes wet or humid conditions, extreme cold and heat, moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Benefits Smithfield offers comprehensive benefit plans and programs with lower out‑of‑pocket costs, including medical plans, wellness and fitness programs, and educational assistance. A relocation package is available.

Equal Employment Opportunity Smithfield is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non‑job characteristic as directed by law. If you have a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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