Associate HRBP - Employee Relations Focus

Experience Champaign Urbana; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

7% 401(k) matching

Business Resource Groups for diversity and inclusion

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

Experience Champaign Urbana is seeking an Associate HR Business Partner to shape HR strategies that support business objectives at our Champaign manufacturing facility. This onsite role reports to the Plant HR Manager, focusing on workforce planning, talent acquisition, and maintaining compliance.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of HR experience, strong communication skills, and a proven track record in employee and labor relations. Benefits include health coverage and a 7% 401(k) match.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of HR experience in manufacturing or unionized environments.
• Experience in employee and labor relations and HR process execution.
• Proficient computer skills including HRIS and applicant tracking systems.
• Strong decision-making and conflict management abilities are essential.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and prioritize tasks effectively.

Responsibilities

• Partner with site leadership to align HR strategies with business priorities.
• Administer compensation and performance management processes.
• Manage talent acquisition and oversee site training programs.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and company policies.

Skills

HR experience

Employee and labor relations

Communication skills

Proficiency in HRIS

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration

HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP)

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office

Job description

Associate HR Business Partner (HRBP) is a strategic, hands‑on HR Generalist responsible for partnering with site leadership to align people programs with business objectives at our Champaign manufacturing facility.

This is an ONSITE position Monday‑Friday reporting to the Plant HR Manager and other HR Leaders. It supports cross functional leaders to drive HR strategy and execution across workforce planning, talent acquisition for hourly roles, employee and labor relations in a unionized environment, training and development, HR administration, and compliance. The HRBP will act as a trusted advisor to leaders and a resource to employees, balancing tactical delivery with long‑term organizational effectiveness. The position has 1 direct report.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with site leadership to translate business priorities into HR strategies and programs that support operational performance and employee engagement.
• Lead workforce planning, headcount budgeting, and succession planning activities for the facility.
• Administer compensation, performance management, promotions and merit processes in coordination with corporate HR.
• Own hourly talent acquisition for the site, including sourcing, selection, testing, onboarding and early talent integration.
• Manage employee and labor relations: conduct investigations, resolve employee concerns and grievances, and contribute to the site’s union labor strategy.
• Oversee site training programs, including compliance, onboarding, and on‑the‑job training; identify skill gaps and support talent development initiatives.
• Manage HR transactional and administrative processes such as FMLA, leaves of absence, worker accommodations, HRIS updates and accurate record‑keeping.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local employment laws and company policies; support maintenance of the affirmative action/EEO program in partnership with corporate compliance and legal teams.
• Provide timely HR analytics and reporting to inform site decisions and continuous improvement efforts.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate high integrity in all people‑related matters.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive HR experience supporting employees and leaders in fast‑paced, ambiguous, manufacturing or unionized environments.
• Demonstrated experience in employee and labor relations, hourly recruitment, and HR process execution.
• Involvement in transformation initiatives such as designing and/or implementing people‑related change strategies, promoting adoption of new processes and tools, enabling reskilling/upskilling programs, and embedding continuous improvement and digital ways of working into everyday HR practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills; ability to influence and partner with leaders at all levels.
• Proficient computer skills, including HRIS, applicant tracking systems (Workday), and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Proven problem‑solving, conflict management and decision‑making abilities.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to prioritize competing demands in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field.
• HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP) preferred.
• Prior experience in a unionized facility and working with collective bargaining processes.
• Experience with Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies.

Core Competencies

• Business acumen and results orientation
• Collaborative partnership and stakeholder management
• Employee advocacy with a fair and consistent approach
• Change management and organizational effectivenessData‑driven decision making

Benefits

Affordably priced medical, dental and vision coverage, a 7% 401(k) matching, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) to foster diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and an industry‑leading total rewards package that includes a discretionary bonus.

Benefits begin immediately upon hire for salaried employees.

When you have a seat at our table, you’re entitled to a range of holistic wellness benefits and perks designed to support physical, social, emotional, and financial well‑being for you and your family.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

Wellbeing

• Physical – Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social – Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program, Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401(k), Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability