HR Generalist/Employee Relations/Payroll

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. About the role Job Summary The HR Specialist is responsible for supporting HR operations and implementing HR programs across the employee lifecycle. This role works independently on routine HR tasks and collaborates with teams to ensure effective service delivery. Required to manage projects/processes independently with limited supervision. The HR Generalist serves as a trusted business partner and provides comprehensive human resources support throughout the employee lifecycle. This position partners with leaders and employees to administer and support employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, performance management, succession planning, benefits administration, payroll coordination, HRIS management, immigration processes, compliance, employee engagement, and organizational initiatives. The HR Generalist promotes a positive work environment while ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Serves as the primary HR contact for assigned business units, employees, and managers regarding HR policies, procedures, benefits, and employment-related matters.

Provides guidance and coaching to managers regarding employee relations, attendance, disciplinary actions, investigations, performance concerns, workplace conflicts, and policy interpretation.

Conducts and documents workplace investigations involving employee complaints, policy violations, and workplace concerns.

Partners with hiring managers to identify staffing needs and develop recruiting strategies.

Coordinates recruiting activities including interviews, background checks, pre-employment screenings, employment verification, offer letters, onboarding, and new hire orientation.

Reviews and approves wage increases in accordance with company compensation philosophy, salary structures, and departmental budgets, while ensuring internal equity and external market competitiveness.

Recommends compensation adjustments, salary structure modifications, and other compensation-related improvements.

Serves as the primary liaison between assigned business units and Payroll.

Reviews, validates, and communicates all weekly payroll changes, including new hires, promotions, transfers, compensation changes, leave activity, employee status changes, and terminations.

Assists with leave administration, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, and other applicable leave programs.

Maintains accurate employee information within the HRIS.

Performs periodic audits of employee data, compensation records, payroll transactions, benefits enrollment, personnel files, organizational structures, and HR processes to identify discrepancies and ensure compliance.

Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and company policies.

Supports the annual performance management process.

Assists managers with coaching, corrective actions, and Performance Improvement Plans.

Coordinates employment-based immigration processes with employees, managers, legal counsel, and outside immigration vendors.

Maintains required immigration documentation and assists with employment authorization compliance.

Develops and delivers presentations explaining the purpose, goals, and application of HR policies, programs, procedures, practices, and strategic initiatives.

Develops employee communications, HR guidance documents, and training materials.

Coordinates employee meetings, training sessions, HR initiatives, recognition programs, and employee engagement activities.

Recommends improvements to HR policies, procedures, workflows, and employee programs.

Participates in continuous improvement initiatives and special HR projects.

Assists with preparation of HR reports, workforce metrics, and leadership presentations.

Supports compensation administration projects.

Participates in employee engagement and wellness initiatives.

Assists with other HR projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.

Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive Human Resources experience.

Experience supporting multiple HR disciplines.

Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.

Experience using HRIS systems (Workday preferred).

Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.

Ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS Ensures timely completion of assigned HR deliverables and follows through on commitments made to leaders and employees.

Maintains proactive communication with leaders, employees, Payroll, Benefits, Finance, Talent Acquisition, and other internal stakeholders to ensure HR activities are completed accurately and within established deadlines.

TRAVEL Regular business travel will be required to all sites for supported employees.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU 15 days of paid time off and 12 company-paid holidays 401k plan with a 6% match Comprehensive health plan including medical, dental, vision, Life, short-term & long-term disability Health savings account matching Motivating wellness program Employee Assistance Program Paid paternal leave Gym reimbursement

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. By supporting water and energy security, enabling the energy transition and driving the use of circular technologies, we help our customers build a better world. With more than 13'000 employees and 160 world-class production facilities and service centers across the globe, we are a globally diverse team. We prioritize your health and safety and are committed to offering a work environment in which you can thrive.