Corporate Human Resources Generalist

Blue River PetCare; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Flexible & Health Spending Accounts

Disability, Life Insurance, and Critical Illness Coverage

Retirement plans with company match

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Pet Perks with industry vendor partners

Chicago CTA Transit Program Benefits

Discounted gym memberships

Childcare discounts with KinderCare

Exclusive travel, entertainment, and retail discounts

Hybrid and remote opportunities

Job summary

Blue River PetCare seeks a Human Resources Generalist located within 40 miles of Chicago to manage day-to-day HR functions. The role includes supporting HR operations, employee engagement, and compliance across a corporate environment.

The successful candidate will have experience with HRIS systems and a background in employee relations. Benefits include health insurance, PTO, and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting corporate and/or multi-site organizations.
• Experience with Workday or similar HRIS systems.
• Experience supporting employee engagement and organizational initiatives.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support daily HR operations and respond to employee inquiries.
• Assist with employee lifecycle activities including status changes.
• Provide guidance to managers regarding employee relations matters.
• Coordinate payroll-related processes and maintain payroll tracking documentation.
• Facilitate onboarding and offboarding logistics.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency.

Skills

Proactive

Organized

People-focused

Operationally strong

Strong documentation and process management skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

This team member must be located within 40 miles of the Blue River PetCare corporate office (1 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60606) to work a hybrid schedule.

The Human Resources Generalist serves as a strategic and operational partner supporting the day-to-day functions of Corporate Human Resources. In partnership with the HR Coordinator, this role is responsible for executing and supporting core HR initiatives across employee relations, HR operations, onboarding/offboarding, payroll coordination, HRIS administration, employee engagement, manager support, and overall HR compliance.

The position partners closely with leadership, Payroll, HRIS, and employees to ensure efficient HR operations, consistency in processes, and a positive employee experience across the corporate population.

The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, people-focused, operationally strong, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

HR Operations & Employee Support

• Support daily HR operations and respond to employee and manager inquiries related to HR processes, policies, and programs.
• Maintain accurate employee records, HR documentation, and personnel data within HR systems.
• Assist with employee lifecycle activities including status changes, transfers, leaves, and internal HR processes.
• Manage the Corporate HR inbox and assist with follow‑up and resolution of employee requests.
• Coordinate unemployment claims, employment verifications, and other administrative HR processes.
• Support internal HR communications and employee‑facing updates.

Employee Relations & Compliance Support

• Provide day‑to‑day guidance to managers regarding employee relations matters, performance concerns, documentation, and workplace issues.
• Assist with progressive discipline documentation, coaching conversations, investigations, and follow‑up actions in partnership with HR leadership.
• Support HR compliance efforts including recordkeeping, I‑9 administration, policy adherence, audit preparation, and employment documentation.
• Partner with HR leadership and the Policy & Compliance Specialist on policy implementation and compliance‑related initiatives.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure appropriate handling of sensitive employee information.
• Conduct exit interviews, stay interviews, and support employee engagement and retention initiatives.

Payroll Coordination & HR Administration

• Coordinate payroll‑related processes including tracking hires, terminations, compensation updates, leaves, and employee changes.
• Partner with Payroll to review payroll reports and identify discrepancies prior to processing.
• Support payroll‑related employee inquiries and maintain payroll tracking documentation.
• Review and process HR‑related transactions and personnel updates within the HRIS.

HRIS, Reporting & Process Improvement

• Maintain employee data accuracy within Workday and other HR systems through audits, verification, and ongoing maintenance.
• Assist with HR reporting, workforce data tracking, and operational reporting needs.
• Partner with HRIS and cross‑functional teams on system updates, testing, implementations, and workflow improvements.
• Support HR technology initiatives, troubleshooting, documentation creation, and process standardization efforts.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency across HR processes.

Onboarding, Offboarding & Employee Experience

• Coordinate onboarding and offboarding logistics including documentation, scheduling, system updates, and employee communications.
• Support new hire onboarding and orientation processes to ensure a positive employee experience.
• Assist with employee engagement initiatives, recognition efforts, surveys, and organizational culture activities.
• Partner with leaders to support a positive and inclusive employee experience throughout the employee lifecycle.

Requirements

• Experience supporting corporate and/or multi‑site organizations.
• Experience with Workday or similar HRIS systems.
• Experience supporting employee engagement and organizational initiatives.
• PHR or SHRM‑CP certification preferred.

Technical Skills

• Experience with HRIS systems (Workday preferred)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with HR reporting, audits, and employee data management
• Strong documentation and process management skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field preferred

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $80-88 per year

Blue River PetCare team members are eligible to participate in the discretionary annual bonus program.

Blue River PetCare offers the following benefits:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible & Health Spending Accounts
• Disability, Life Insurance, and Critical Illness Coverage
• Retirement plans with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Holidays, and Bereavement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Pet Perks with industry vendor partners, including deals on insurance, preventatives, food, and supplies
• Chicago CTA Transit Program Benefits
• Discounted gym memberships for local Chicago team members
• Childcare discounts with KinderCare
• Exclusive travel, entertainment, and retail discounts
• Hybrid and remote opportunities

Diversity is embraced at Blue River PetCare and the uniqueness of all individuals is supported. All qualified applicants will be considered for all positions regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or ancestry.