HR Business Partner/Employee Relations Specialist

Gotion; Manteno (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gotion Inc. in Manteno, IL is seeking an on-site HR Business Partner / Employee Relations Specialist with 5–10 years of HR experience to support R&D and business teams.

This role handles employee relations, investigations, 90‑day reviews, and performance management while partnering with managers to drive compliance and accountability. The ideal candidate will be fluent in English and Spanish, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and able to manage documentation and sensitive matters

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of HR experience with hands-on employee relations and investigations.
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams including R&D, engineering, or product.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required.
• On-site required: Manteno, IL, Monday–Friday.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage employee relations matters, including complaints, misconduct, attendance, and policy violations.
• Conduct workplace investigations, document findings, and recommend next steps with HR leadership.
• Support the 90‑day review process for new hires, including tracking and follow-up.
• Coach managers on performance conversations, documentation, and corrective actions.
• Maintain strong on-site visibility and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Provide Spanish-language HR support when needed and explain policies clearly.
• Ensure consistent policy application and maintain accurate HR documentation.
• Partner with HR leadership, legal, payroll, and operations on workforce issues.
• Identify recurring issues and propose practical improvements to reduce risk.

Skills

HR experience

Employee relations

Performance management

Investigations

Manager coaching

Tools

HRIS

Case tracking

Attendance systems

Performance documentation

Job description

Gotion Inc. is based in Silicon Valley, CA, currently building a Manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL and has R&D centers in Ohio, China, Japan and Europe. We innovate in the next generation electric vehicle and energy storage technologies (lithium batteries and related systems) with the aim to accelerate electrified transportation and achieve sustainable development. Gotion is powered by a leading power battery technology company that provides solutions for vehicles including the world's first mass commercial e-bus route.
Gotion is a career destination - we are not simply attempting to just fill another job, but to pursue a dream of global green energy together! We offer outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting and challenging working environment. Everyone is highly valued and plays a vital role in the growth of our organization.

Job Title: HR Business Partner / Employee Relations Specialist

Location: Manteno, IL

Work Schedule: Fully On-site, Monday–Friday

Employment Type: Full-time

Experience Level: 5–10 years

Language Requirement: English and Spanish bilingual required

About the Role

Gotion is seeking a hands-on HR Business Partner / Employee Relations Specialist to support our business and R&D teams in Manteno, Illinois. This role is designed for an execution-oriented HR professional who can work closely with managers and employees on employee relations, 90‑day reviews, performance management, documentation, corrective actions, investigations, and day‑to‑day HR support.

This is a fully on-site role, Monday through Friday. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working directly with business leaders, technical managers, R&D teams, and employees in a fast‑paced, cross‑functional environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support employee relations matters, including employee complaints, workplace concerns, misconduct issues, communication conflicts, attendance concerns, policy violations, and manager‑employee disputes.
• Conduct workplace investigations, document findings, summarize facts, and recommend appropriate next steps in partnership with HR leadership and management.
• Support the 90‑day review process for new hires, including review tracking, manager follow‑up, documentation, performance feedback, and employment decision support.
• Partner with business and R&D managers on performance management, including coaching conversations, performance documentation, corrective action, PIP support, and follow‑up actions.
• Maintain strong on‑site visibility and build effective working relationships with employees, managers, and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Provide Spanish‑language HR support when needed, including policy explanation, employee communication, investigation interviews, coaching, and issue resolution.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies, performance standards, attendance expectations, disciplinary processes, and workplace conduct requirements.
• Prepare and maintain accurate HR documentation, including investigation notes, corrective action forms, 90‑day review records, performance documentation, and employee relations case files.
• Coach managers on handling difficult employee conversations in a compliant, practical, and well‑documented manner.
• Partner with HR leadership, legal, payroll, operations, and functional leaders on employee relations, performance, compliance, leave, attendance, and workforce management issues.
• Identify recurring ER or performance issues and recommend practical improvements to reduce risk, improve accountability, and strengthen team effectiveness.
• Support additional HR activities as needed, including onboarding, employee communication, HR reporting, policy rollout, employee engagement, and manager enablement.

Required Qualifications

• 5–10 years of HR experience, with strong hands‑on experience in employee relations, performance management, corrective actions, workplace investigations, and manager coaching.
• Prior experience supporting business, technical, R&D, engineering, commercial, project, or cross‑functional teams.
• Fluent or professional working proficiency in both English and Spanish.
• Strong understanding of employee relations documentation, investigation processes, corrective action, attendance management, and performance review processes.
• Ability to work fully on‑site in Manteno, IL, Monday through Friday.
• Comfortable working directly with managers, employees, technical teams, and business leaders.
• Strong judgement, confidentiality, documentation discipline, and ability to handle sensitive employee matters.
• Ability to operate in a fast‑paced environment where HR must be visible, responsive, practical, and execution‑focused.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain policies, expectations, and performance feedback clearly in both English and Spanish.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting 90‑day reviews, probationary period evaluations, structured new‑hire performance reviews, or manager‑led performance calibration.
• Experience supporting R&D, engineering, product, commercial, sales, project management, or technical business teams.
• Experience in battery, EV, clean energy, automotive, technology, advanced manufacturing, or high‑growth industrial environments.
• Knowledge of Illinois employment practices and general U.S. employment law principles.
• Experience with HRIS, case tracking, attendance systems, performance documentation systems, or employee relations case management tools.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a practical, on‑site HR operator who can support business and R&D teams with discipline, speed, and sound judgment. This person should be able to handle employee relations cases independently, follow through on 90‑day reviews and performance actions, coach managers through difficult conversations, and keep documentation clean and defensible.

This role is best suited for someone who is not looking for a purely strategic HR role. We need someone who can execute, follow up, document, communicate clearly, and help managers build accountability across the organization.

Compensation

Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

Work Location

Manteno, IL

Fully on‑site, Monday–Friday

Language Requirement

English and Spanish bilingual required.

Expected Pay Range

$80,000 — $120,000 USD

Equal Opportunity

Gotion Inc. is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are dedicated to fostering a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve, cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging, and ensuring equal employment opportunities for all.

We provide equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions (including breastfeeding), parental status, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At Gotion Inc., we strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.