Employee Relations Partner

KSB SE & Co. KGaA; Grovetown (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KSB GIW, Inc. in Grovetown, GA is seeking an Employee Relations Partner to lead investigations, disciplinary actions, and offboarding while supporting managers with policy interpretation and risk mitigation.

This senior HR role emphasizes fairness, confidentiality, and legal compliance within a manufacturing environment. The position requires extensive experience in employee relations, strong interviewing and documentation skills, and the ability to partner with legal counsel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related field is required.
• 7+ years of progressive HR experience with a focus on employee relations, investigations, and discipline.
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification preferred; certified workplace investigator training is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct thorough workplace investigations, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
• Guide managers through disciplinary actions and performance counseling with clear communication.
• Manage involuntary and voluntary terminations and offboarding, ensuring compliance and proper documentation.
• Provide advisory support on employee relations best practices, policy interpretation, and risk mitigation.

Skills

Workplace investigations

Employment law knowledge

Interviewing

Documentation

Confidentiality

Coaching managers

Risk assessment

HRIS systems

MS Office

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

Workday

ADP

UKG

Kronos

Job description

KSB is a leading supplier of pumps, valves and related service. Our reliable, high-efficiency products are used in applications wherever fluids need to be transported or shut off, covering everything from building services,industry and water transport to waste water treatment, power plant processes and mining. Founded in 1871 in Frankenthal, Germany, the company has a presence on all continents with its own sales and marketing organisations and manufacturing facilities. Around the globe, more than 190 service centres and around 3,500 service specialists are on hand to provide local inspection, servicing, maintenance and repair services under the KSB SupremeServ brand. Innovative technology that is the fruit of KSB’s research and development activities forms the basis for the company’s success.People. Passion. Performance. It is these three success factors that make KSB the company it is today.At KSB, we recognise that it is people who actually make the difference – the people we employ and the people we serve. This is why we are committed to equal rights and treatment worldwide and never lose sight of the aspects ecology and sustainability when manufacturing our products.Employee Relations PartnerKSB GIW, Inc.Department: Human ResourcesReports to: Senior HR Business PartnerLocation: Grovetown, GA, USAShift: FirstFLSA Status: ExemptOVERVIEW:The Employee Relations Partner is a senior HR professional responsible for the company's employee relations program, with a primary focus on workplace investigations, discipline, and employee separations. Working under the oversight of the Senior HR Business Partner, this role conducts thorough, objective investigations into employee complaints and concerns, guides managers through disciplinary actions and performance counseling, and manages the termination process from decision through offboarding. The Employee Relations Partner serves as a trusted, consistent point of contact for managers and employees on sensitive workplace matters, helping the company mitigate risk, ensure fair and consistent treatment, and maintain a respectful, compliant work environment.RESPONSIBILITIES:Workplace Investigations:Lead and conduct thorough, objective investigations into employee complaints, concerns, and policy violations, in coordination with and under the oversight of the Senior HR Business PartnerGather and document evidence, interview witnesses, and prepare clear, well-supported investigation summaries and recommendationsEnsure investigations are conducted consistently, fairly, and in compliance with company policy and applicable employment lawMaintain confidentiality and appropriate documentation throughout the investigation processDiscipline & Performance Counseling:Partner with managers to assess performance and conduct issues and determine appropriate corrective actionConduct disciplinary meetings and counseling sessions with employees, clearly communicating expectations, consequences, and improvement plansCreate, issue, and document disciplinary actions (verbal warnings, written warnings, etc.)Coach managers on how to address performance and conduct concerns proactively and consistentlyTerminations & Offboarding:Manage the termination process for involuntary and voluntary separations, including reviewing termination decisions for consistency and legal complianceConduct termination meetings and exit interviewsCoordinate final pay, benefits continuation, and offboarding logistics with Payroll and BenefitsIdentify trends in turnover and separations and share insights with the Senior HR Business Partner and leadershipEmployee Relations & Advisory Support:Serve as a trusted point of contact for employees and managers on employee relations questions, conflicts, and concernsPromote positive employee relations and foster a respectful, inclusive work environmentAdvise managers on employee relations best practices, policy interpretation, and risk mitigationEscalate complex or high-risk matters to the Senior HR Business Partner as appropriateCompliance & Documentation:Stay current on employment laws, regulations, and labor law changes affecting discipline, investigations, and terminationsEnsure employee relations actions are conducted in accordance with company policy, procedures, and applicable lawMaintain accurate, audit-ready employee relations records and documentation in the HRIS and case management systemsQUALIFICATIONS:Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field requiredExperience: 7+ years of progressive HR experience, with substantial experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, and employee discipline required; experience partnering with legal counsel or HR Business Partners on complex employee relations matters preferred; PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification preferred; certified workplace investigator training a plusSKILLS / COMPETENCIES:Sound judgment and objectivity when conducting sensitive workplace investigationsStrong knowledge of employment law, disciplinary process, and termination best practicesExcellent interviewing, active listening, and documentation skillsAbility to communicate difficult messages with clarity, empathy, and professionalismHigh degree of discretion and ability to maintain strict confidentialityStrong interpersonal and coaching skills, able to guide managers through difficult conversationsSound decision-making and risk-assessment skillsProficiency in HRIS and case-management systems (Workday, ADP, UKG, Kronos) and MS Office SuitePHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Primarily desk-type dutyRegular standing and walking through a plant environmentKSB Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. KSB makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.We value employees who take the initiative and are committed to our company; Employees who take responsibility and for whom business success is the focus of their actions. In return, we offer fair framework conditions for collective wages and pensions, flexible working time models, individual training opportunities and the best career prospects.