Senior Specialist, Employee Relations

Job Description

In this position, the Senior Specialist, Employee Relations serves as a critical strategic partner and hands-on HR leader, deeply embedded within our automotive manufacturing plants and parts depots. This role is responsible for supporting the hourly and salaried workforce, collaborating closely with leadership to drive business objectives through a comprehensive HR lens. The HRBP will foster a positive and productive work environment, manage all aspects of the employee lifecycle, ensure compliance, and champion talent development, employee engagement, and effective labor relations directly on the production floor.

This position requires strong business acumen, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and an unwavering commitment to ethical practice and continuous improvement. The Senior Specialist, Employee Relations, working without any appreciable supervision, is responsible for the resolution of employee relations issues, such as conflicts, disputes, and disciplinary matters, with fairness and consistency in a timely manner. This role designs standard operating protocols and benchmarks to be implemented for investigations, cases, and mediations, to improve employee motivation.

Additionally, the role is a subject matter expert on matters pertaining to employee relations. The role advises leaders and consults with teams on performance management, feedback mechanisms, and delivery, goal setting, workplace conduct, employee retrenchment, etc. to ensure a positive work environment across the organization.

What you'll do...

HR Business Partnership

• Strategic Business Partnership & Business Acumen:
  Serve as a trusted advisor to plant leadership, translating business strategy into impactful HR initiatives that optimize organizational effectiveness and elevate the employee experience. Leverage deep operational acumen, gained through immersive Gemba walks and direct engagement with leadership, to proactively identify and address human capital needs within our lean manufacturing and logistics environments, delivering strategically aligned HR solutions that directly accelerate business success and cultivate a high-performance culture.
• Talent Management & Workforce Transformation:
  Design and execute advanced talent management strategies, encompassing performance optimization, leadership development, robust succession planning, strategic compensation, and integrated talent acquisition. Proactively analyze future workforce needs and capabilities, implementing innovative hourly talent programs (e.g., apprenticeship pathways, reskilling initiatives, strategic placements) that build a high-performing, engaged, and resilient workforce pipeline essential for future growth and our organizational transformation.
• Data Storytelling and Workforce Planning:
  Champion a data-first approach, leveraging HR analytics platforms (e.g., Visier, Voice) to extract critical insights, predict workforce trends, and inform strategic decision-making at the operational leadership level. Lead complex change management initiatives across diverse stakeholder groups, effectively shifting organizational mindsets and mitigating risks to successfully achieve critical business objectives during our ongoing lean and organizational transformation.
• Culture Development & Employee Advocacy:
  Champion a high-performance, inclusive culture, fostering open communication, trust, and mutual respect in alignment with our 7 Proactive Leadership Standards. Act as a visible and influential HR leader, spearheading employee recognition, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and cultural events to significantly boost engagement and drive continuous organizational improvement. Maintain a proactive presence on the plant floor, conducting regular engagements to build strong employee relationships, ensure HR accessibility, and proactively address general workplace concerns.
• External Relations & Community Stewardship:
  Orchestrate strategic interactions with local governmental agencies and lead impactful charitable initiatives, significantly strengthening the plant's community engagement and enhancing its positive…