Compensations & Benefits HR Generalist

Challenge Manufacturing; Walker (MI); On-site; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP program

Employee ownership culture

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing seeks a detail-oriented HR Generalist to lead weekly payroll for hourly staff, maintain timekeeping, and ensure accurate payroll processing in a fast-paced manufacturing setting in Walker, MI.

The role supports onboarding, benefits, employee relations, and compliance across the organization, with opportunities to coach managers and collaborate on recruiting efforts. ESOP culture emphasizes ownership and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business administration, accounting, or related field required.
• 2+ years of HR and/or payroll administration experience required.
• Experience handling high-volume hourly payroll and timekeeping systems preferred.
• Experience with HRIS/HCM systems; Workday preferred.
• PHR certification preferred; union relations experience preferred (UAW).
• Automotive manufacturing experience preferred; strong confidentiality needed.

Responsibilities

• Process weekly payroll for hourly employees, auditing timecards and resolving discrepancies.
• Administer timekeeping records, attendance tracking, and payroll data integrity.
• Resolve payroll discrepancies and manage garnishments and leave administration timely.
• Coordinate FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers’ compensation, and return-to-work processes.
• Serve as a primary contact for payroll and leave questions across the org.
• Support payroll audits, reporting, reconciliations, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain HRIS/HCM records and assist with onboarding and new-hire processing.
• Assist with employee relations investigations, coaching, and documentation.
• Coach supervisors on attendance and policy interpretation; partner on investigations.
• Assist with recruiting activities: review resumes, interview, and onboard new hires.
• Monitor attendance and follow up on tardiness/absenteeism with documentation.
• Support benefits enrollment changes, open enrollment, and employee education.
• Maintain employee recognition and engagement programs; cross-train HR team as needed.

Skills

Payroll processing

Timekeeping

Employee relations

Auditing & compliance

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Analytical skills

Hiring support

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in HR / related field

PHR Certification

Tools

Workday

Job description

Who We Are: Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!Who We Want:We are seeking a detail-oriented and people-focused Human Resources Generalist with strong payroll administration experience to support our manufacturing workforce. This role will primarily oversee weekly payroll processing, timekeeping administration, payroll auditing, garnishment processing, and leave administration while also supporting broader HR functions across the organization.The ideal candidate is highly organized, analytical, and able to communicate effectively with employees and leaders at all levels. This position requires someone who can balance employee support with compliance, accuracy, confidentiality, and operational efficiency in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.What You'll Do:Process weekly payroll for hourly employees, including reviewing and auditing timecards, resolving discrepancies, ensuring approvals are completed, and validating payroll accuracy prior to submissionAdminister and maintain employee timekeeping records, attendance tracking, and payroll-related data integrityInvestigate and resolve payroll discrepancies, employee pay concerns, missed punches, shift differentials, and overtime issues in a timely mannerManage payroll garnishments, child support orders, tax levies, and other wage attachments while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulationsCoordinate leave administration processes, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers’ compensation, personal leaves, and return-to-work communication with employees and leadersServe as a key point of contact for employee payroll and leave-related questions and communicationsSupport payroll audits, reporting, reconciliations, and compliance activities to ensure accurate payroll processing and recordkeepingMaintain employee and applicant records in HRIS/HCM systems in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirementsAssist with onboarding, orientation, and new hire processing activitiesSupport employee relations activities including investigations, disciplinary actions, coaching conversations, and documentationCoach and guide supervisors and managers on employee relations matters, attendance concerns, and policy interpretationAssist with recruiting activities as needed, including reviewing applications, interviewing candidates, and onboarding new employeesMonitor attendance, tardiness, and absenteeism reporting and ensure appropriate documentation and follow-up actions are completedSupport employee benefits administration including enrollments, changes, open enrollment communication, and employee educationMaintain and support employee recognition and engagement programsCross-train and support additional HR functions as business needs evolveWhen and Where:This will be a full time on-site position located at our Plant in Walker, MI.Occasionally, this may require you to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends, outside of our regular hours, to ensure we successfully meet customer needs, deadlines, or urgent requests.What You Need to Have:Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, or related field preferred2+ years of Human Resources and/or payroll administration experience requiredExperience processing high-volume hourly payroll requiredExperience managing timekeeping systems, payroll audits, garnishments, and leave administration strongly preferredExperience with HRIS/HCM systems required; previous experience with Workday preferredPHR Certification preferredUnion relations experience preferred (UAW)Previous automotive manufacturing experience preferredStrong attention to detail with the ability to maintain confidentiality and accuracy in payroll processingExcellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skillsExcellent oral and written communication skillsComfortable communicating in difficult situations in both individual and group settingsAbility to work with urgency and meet payroll deadlines in a fast-paced environmentDemonstrates ethical practice, sound judgment, and professionalism in all interactionsTakes positive action to objectively resolve conflict by listening, staying focused on issues, and driving resolutionIs thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasksDemonstrated ability to support multiple HR disciplines including employee relations, payroll administration, benefits, onboarding, and complianceAble to inspire, influence, and develop positive working relationships across all levels of the organizationUnderstands the operational impact of payroll and HR decisions on the overall business