HR Business Partner

Kitchen Food Company; Hopkinsville (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Kitchen Food Company is seeking an experienced Human Resources Lead for the Hopkinsville site to partner with leadership and drive a high-performance culture, talent development and retention.

This role leads a small HR team, oversees diversity and inclusion, and sets the strategic direction for labor relations, compensation, and benefits while ensuring compliance with US laws and site objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or related field.
• 5+ years experience as HR generalist, preferably in food manufacturing or high-volume production.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. labor laws and employment regulations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR policies aligned with labor laws and best practice.
• Lead HR initiatives including talent development, succession, and retention.
• Oversee diversity, inclusion, and labor relations strategies.
• Coach site leadership on performance management and employee relations.

Skills

HR Generalist

Employee relations

HRIS

Labor laws

Policy development

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

ATS software

Payroll systems

Job description

Kitchen Food Company is a leading manufacturer of high-quality food products, serving customers across the country. We pride ourselves on our commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable practices. Join our team and be part of our continued success.

Job Summary:

The Human Resources Lead is a key member of the Hopkinsville site leadership team and reports to the Head of Operations. This role partners closely with site leaders to drive a culture of high performance, with a strong focus on employee career development, performance management, talent calibration, and retention.

The Human Resources Lead manages three direct reports who collectively deliver the site’s people strategy. In addition, the role holds accountability for specific strategic HR portfolios, including diversity and inclusion initiatives and the development and execution of the site’s labor relations strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Generalist HR

• Develop and implement HR policies and procedures aligned with labor laws and best practice in food manufacturing.Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations (e.g., OSHA, FMLA, EEOC).
• In collaboration with business leaders across the facility in Hopkinsville, KY to drive business performance using developed HR and labor relations knowledge, change management expertise and business acumen.
• Manage site employee relations, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions. Counsel Managers and employees consistent with Kitchen Food Company policies/practices, legal considerations.
• Lead change initiatives including optimal use of HRIS technology and standardisation initiatives.
• Assess organisational design with department heads to ensure the right people are in the right roles at the right time. Support short and long term business requirements in relation to employee movement, development and succession planning aiding employee retention.
• Partner with WHS Specialist to deliver on annual priorities.
• Identify opportunities to design people solutions that drive operational excellence and impact commercial outcomes.
• Embed Kitchen Food Company values across departments. Develop and promote the employer value proposition and employee engagement strategy and plan impactful site events/community connections/communications.
• Manage the site HR budget in consultation with the Finance Manager. Work to understand the business metrics/financials and the opportunities HR has to impact on these.
• Ensure the HR team’s accurate and timely administration of compensation and benefits.
• Refine the performance management framework for the site and manage its implementation.
• Promote a culture of safety first, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead,coachandmanagedirect HR reportsthrough setting and communicating clear expectations, ensuring adherence to processes andprocedures areare supported todeliverin an agile work environment .
• Work with the siteleadership teamto create a culture of accountability, performance management, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate and manage site-based social audits against SMETA and other ethical standards, performing internal compliance audits, identifying gaps, and monitoring corrective action plans through to closure.
• RepresentKitchen FoodCompanyLimitedwhenliaising and meeting with externalstakeholders such asour external auditors,stateand local government.

Recruitment

Collaborate with Recruitment Specialist on development and execution of the site talent management plan ensuring alignment with the manpower plan. Ensure a fair and transparent, merit‑based performance environment.

Lead and continuously improve recruitment policies and processes for hourly and salaried roles across the site, leveraging HRIS optimisation to enhance candidate quality, streamline workflows, and accelerate hiring timelines.

Learning and Development

Championandsupport the development and delivery ofsite wide training that promotes career development, employee retention, multi‑skilling and compliance.

BuildHRcapability within the HR teamand people management skills through ad hoc coaching of people managers

PeopleSafety Compliance

• With the OHSA Specialist champion workplace safety in compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies.
• Overseethat theHR teamisworkingin a safe mannerfollowingall companyoccupational safety and health policies,contributing torisk assessmentsas needed.
• Promotesafety firstwhere hazards, near misses, and incidents are promptly reported and addressed.
• Supportcompany wide and site continuousimprovement initiatives

Food Safety

• With the leadership team ensure operations are according to our food safety policies and processes including our HACCP and GMP programs.
• Ensure control of any food safety risks.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience working primarily as an HR generalist ideally in food manufacturing or high-volume production.
• Ability to successfully influence and lead in a variety of situations adapting personal style and approach as needed
• Can make difficult decisions and challenge leaders/managers/employees thinking
• Self‑starter with ability to operate autonomously and versatility able to easily move between long‑term strategic and short‑term operational objectives
• Ability to influence and deliver results through others
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evening hours to connect with Australian based colleagues
• Working knowledge of U.S. federal and local labor laws and employment regulations
• Experience with HRIS systems and recruitment platforms.
• Highly effective communicationand interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Problem‑solving and conflict resolution abilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged sitting
• Office environment but may be required to go into factory on occasion
• Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal or Kentucky state law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process, in accordance with applicable laws.

This statement of duties is intended to give an indication of the scope and nature of work that an employee at this level may be expected to perform. However, the statement does not restrict the employer’s right to require the employee to perform any task that is within the employee’s competency and skill which is reasonably incidental to or associated with the position held.