Senior Specialist Employee Relations

We made history and now we work to transform the future – for our customers, our communities, and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

Ford Energy is a newly formed, wholly‑owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company dedicated to accelerating U.S. energy independence. Leveraging Ford’s century of manufacturing excellence and world‑class battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid‑scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems (BESS). Ford Energy is uniquely positioned to capture the growing demand for reliable, US‑built energy storage systems.

We are not just building batteries; we are building the infrastructure for the next generation of the American grid.

Why Ford Energy?

At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry‑leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package including performance‑based bonuses, Ford vehicle discounts, and the opportunity to shape the energy strategy of one of the world’s most iconic brands.

In this position ...

The Plant Sr. HR Specialist serves as a strategic HR advisor and subject matter expert at Ford Energy. This role requires a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of manufacturing operations and a passion for building high‑performing workplace cultures. The Sr. Specialist is responsible for leading complex employee relations matters, driving talent sustainability, and aligning HR practices with broader organizational goals.

As a senior member of the plant HR team, this individual will mentor junior staff, assess systemic risk trends, and ensure that HR frameworks are scalable for a high‑growth startup environment.

• Strategic Consultation:
  Provide expert guidance to plant leadership on organizational effectiveness, policy application, and complex personnel decisions.
• Talent Management:
  Lead the strategic execution of talent management, including performance management, succession planning, performance cycle activities, and compensation planning.
• Data Storytelling:
  Analyze complex workforce metrics to identify potential risks and develop deep insights and recommendations that drive people decisions for operating leaders.
• Team Development:
  Mentor and develop HR team members (Associates and Specialists), ensuring a high standard of HR service delivery across the plant.
• Community & Stakeholder Engagement:
  Support interactions with local governmental agencies and lead charitable activities to integrate the plant into the local Kentucky community.

• Complex Investigations:
  Lead and oversee the most sensitive and complex employee investigations, ensuring thorough evidence review and alignment with legal and ethical standards.
• Risk Assessment:
  Identify and assess workforce trends to recommend systemic improvements to HR practices, policies, and training to mitigate organizational risk.
• Conflict Resolution:
  Act as the final point of escalation for interpersonal conflicts and corrective action matters, ensuring fairness, consistency, and a respectful workplace culture.
• Ethics & Compliance:
  Manage the plant’s response to ethics and compliance hotline reports, partnering with legal counsel on discovery and litigation preparation when necessary.

• Lean Methodology:
  Leverage lean principles to problem‑solve and drive effective change management programs that improve HR efficiency.
• Regulatory Oversight:
  Ensure total compliance with employment laws (FMLA, ADA, FLSA), I‑9 protocols, and OSHA safety documentation.
• Leave & Benefits Administration:
  Apply expert knowledge of leave policies and their interaction with worker’s compensation to manage high‑level cases within HRIS systems.
• Health & Safety:
  Partner with safety and occupational health leads to drive wellness programs and ensure a culture of safety on the manufacturing floor.

• Bachelor’s…