Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Are you the kind of person who is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious? Are you always solving?

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) to join our HR Team and support the U.S. Manufacturing function. This hybrid position reports directly to the Senior Global HR Leader – Operations.

Hybrid position with preference for someone living in Hopewell, VA or Calvert City, KY.

The Senior HRBP serves as a strategic and trusted advisor to plant leadership, aligning people strategies with operational and organizational priorities across all US manufacturing sites for Ashland (7 total, with 4 union sites). The role requires deep expertise in labor relations, employee relations, and labor and employment governance, partnering closely with leaders to strengthen labor‑management relationships, drive performance, and ensure consistent application of labor laws and collective bargaining agreements across locations.

In unionized and labor‑intensive settings, the HRBP provides hands‑on, day‑to‑day operational support to plant leadership.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to plant leaders and managers, offering daily leadership and guidance across all human resources areas, including leadership and coaching, employee and labor relations, employee engagement, compensation, recruiting, and talent development
• Provide HR guidance on organizational design, workforce planning, and change management
• Lead and support a team of HR Generalists through organizational changes, labor matters, and critical employee situations
• Partner with HR Centers of Excellence (such as Talent, Compensation, and Payroll) to deliver integrated HR solutions while championing best practices, compliance, and innovative approaches
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration within the HR Generalist team
• Drive labor relations activities, including the interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements, where applicable
• Support management during labor discussions, grievance processes, disciplinary actions, and investigations
• Promote a strong performance culture through goal setting, timely feedback, performance management, and accountability
• Engage as a partner in CBA union negotiations, arbitrations, and grievances
• Resolve complex employee relations matters with a balanced, compliant, and employee‑focused approach
• Maintain strong working relationships with union leadership (if applicable) and internal stakeholders
• Work proactively to advance Ashland’s inclusion and diversity goals

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field, or equivalent experience with a minimum of 5–7 years of HR and Labor expertise
• Demonstrated labor relations experience supporting a unionized workforce, including participation in collective bargaining and contract negotiations
• Progressive HR experience within a manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of state and federal employment laws and regulations governing employment practices
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information while adhering to company policies and procedures
• Highly collaborative and influential, with the ability to consult, partner, and build strong relationships at all levels
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills; strong judgment; and the ability to work independently while contributing to a team environment
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and coaching skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to travel up to 40%
• Authorization to work in the United States

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:

• PHR or SPHR certification
• Experience supporting multi‑site operations
• Knowledge of HRIS systems; experience with Workday is helpful

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Note:

We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.