Associate HR Business Partner - Twin Cities, MN

UNFI; Maplewood (MN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

UNFI is seeking an Associate Human Resources Business Partner to execute HR strategies in Talent Development, Workforce Planning, and Engagement within the retail group. The role partners with the HR Manager/Director to drive programs across benefits, training, performance, and labor relations.

You will support payroll data, confidential information, and compliance while delivering high‑quality HR services to the store teams in a hybrid setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred.
• PHR/SPHR/CHRL/CPHR Certification preferred.
• 1+ years of HR experience required.

Responsibilities

• Build effective partnerships with business leaders.
• Lead onboarding and new hire orientation activities.
• Support workforce planning, talent development, and engagement efforts.
• Handle associate relations with timely, respectful communication.
• Manage HR programs, data accuracy, and HRIS records.

Skills

HR laws knowledge

Talent strategies

HRIS platforms

Compensation & benefits

Change management

Coaching & development

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

PHR/SPHR/CHRL/CPHR Certification preferred

Job description

Hybrid 1 day per week at CUB Retail Store for HR Orientation.

Purpose:

The Associate Human Resources Business Partner is responsible for executing action items that support key projects and initiatives within the retail group, in partnership with their HR Manager or Director. The Associate Human Resources Business Partner is responsible for the effective execution of human resources strategies in areas such as Talent Development, Workforce Planning, Talent Selection, Engagement, Recognition, Performance Management, Organizational Development, Training, Associate Relations, Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Labor Relations, Sustainability, and Philanthropy.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Business Partnership

• Build effective working relationships with business leaders.
• Focus on growing business acumen to better understand business needs.
• Partner with supervisors to develop coaching skills and techniques.
• Provide coaching to individual contributors to make others successful.
• Participate and collaborate in supervisor, management, and staff meetings.
• Identify training needs through collaboration with other departments.
• Suggest new HR strategies.

Talent & Onboarding

• Responsible for working with the HR team to execute the workforce and talent agenda that attracts the right people in a competitive market and drives enterprise productivity, in partnership with Talent Acquisition.
• Implement effective onboarding plans for the successful assimilation of new hires.
• Conduct new hire orientation, as assigned, and ensure that new associates are well informed of benefits, policies, and programs.
• Deliver training programs, as assigned.

Engagement & Associate Relations

• Responsible for being a steward of the company culture.
• Ensure that associate questions are promptly and courteously resolved.
• Implement associate engagement events and activities, as assigned.
• Address associate concerns with open communication techniques. Communicate with associates in a timely and courteous manner.
• Handles basic employment relations issues, including reviewing recommendations with HR Director, HR Manager, or Sr. HR Business Partner and escalating, as appropriate.
• Execution of HR Activities and Programs.
• Build effective working relationships with the HR team.
• Complete personnel actions, including partnering with Total Rewards or HR Shared Services to obtain recommendations and approvals, ensuring the transaction is appropriately processed, and that associate data is accurate.
• Support peer networks across the company.
• Execute tactics to support core annual programs.
• Execute tactics to support local/department-level programs for areas such as workforce planning, engagement, recognition, training, wellness, and labor relations.
• Possess knowledge of HR policies and procedures as well as federal, state/province and local laws.
• Execute human resources tactics, including talent development, promotions, employee relations, terminations, exit interviews, recordkeeping, etc., in accordance with Company procedures and applicable legal requirements.
• Implement affirmative action plan and goals, where applicable.
• Leverage the network for learning when encountering a new challenge.
• Manage personal development following changes to the company, business, and/or HR.
• Maintain and update HRIS records. Ensure associate files are complete and compliant.
• Manage and track leaves of absence.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality with consistency.
• Participate in collaboration within the group and nationally on all HR programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred
• PHR/SPHR/CHRL/CPHR Certification preferred

Experience:

• 1+ years of HR experience, or related field required

Knowledge:

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of federal, state/province, and local employment laws, with the ability to interpret and apply them to complex HR scenarios.
• Broad understanding of talent strategies, including workforce planning, talent assessment, and succession planning.
• Knowledge of HR technologies and HRIS platforms, with the ability to extract insights from HR data to drive decision‑making.
• Understanding of compensation structures, benefits design, market competitiveness, and total rewards philosophy.
• Awareness of change management principles and organizational development strategies to support business transformation.
• Working knowledge of associate relations practices, conflict resolution techniques, and progressive coaching approaches.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and can clearly convey complex information to associates and leaders at all levels.
• Use strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and provide meaningful insights that inform HR and business decisions.
• Show initiative, operates with a sense of urgency, and consistently drives tasks and projects to completion.
• Apply strong problem‑solving skills to diagnose issues, evaluate options, and recommend effective, compliant, and scalable HR solutions
• Deliver high‑quality, accurate work while managing multiple priorities and maintaining attention to detail.
• Build capability in others by coaching supervisors and associates, offering constructive feedback, and influencing outcomes through strong relationship‑building.
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Demonstrate agility, seek out learning opportunities, and adjust quickly to evolving business needs, HR practices, and organizational priorities.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/DEMANDS:

Hybrid Role:

• This position follows a hybrid schedule, working in the office (1) days per week. The acceptable split between onsite and remote work is determined by the manager. Hybrid associates may choose to work from an office on a more frequent basis than required.

Travel (minor):

• This position may require the associate to travel up to 10% to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

Office Roles:

• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.