HR Generalist

Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company in; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Watlow is seeking a passionate HR Generalist for its Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, MO. You will support HR services across the U.S.

region and serve as the dedicated partner for the Columbia site, focusing on engagement, employee relations, compliance, and leadership development. You will also handle onboarding, offboarding, payroll administration, and management of compensation and benefits programs, working with site leadership to address team member relations and HR policy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years HR experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Experience supporting engagement programs and leadership development for site leaders.
• Strong employee relations experience for hourly and corporate workforce.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate across levels.
• Hands-on experience administering LOA programs including FMLA/ADA and compliance.
• Proactive, team-oriented approach with passion for people and improvement.

Responsibilities

• Align HR strategy with site and regional goals to drive business success.
• Serve as primary HR contact for team member inquiries and policy guidance.
• Coach site leadership on employee relations, performance management, and corrective action.
• Enhance engagement and retention through programs and initiatives.
• Support payroll, benefits, compensation administration, and leaves of absence.
• Ensure compliance with laws and internal HR policies; conduct audits.
• Manage HR data, reporting, and metrics for leadership needs.
• Drive process improvements in HR operations to improve service delivery.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Team-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Dayforce HRIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Watlow is looking for a passionate and driven Human Resources Generalist to join our team at our Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, MO.

In this role, you will support HR service delivery across the U.S. region as part of a broader HR-Services team, while also serving as a dedicated HR partner for the Columbia Missouri site. You'll play a critical role in areas like team member engagement, employee relations, compliance, and leadership development.

In addition, you will support key HR processes such as onboarding, offboarding, payroll administration, and management of compensation and benefits programs. You'll work closely with site leadership to address team member relations and ensure compliance with HR policies and employment regulations.

If you are someone who thrives in a fast-paced, hands‑on environment and enjoys making a meaningful impact every day, this could be the perfect role for you.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Align HR Strategy with Business Goals . Partner with site and regional leadership to align HR services and programs with operational objectives and drive business success.
• Serve as a Primary HR Contact. Act as the first point of contact for team member inquiries, resolving Tier I and II employee relations issues and providing policy guidance.
• Partner with Site Leadership on Employee Relations. Coach and advise plant supervisors and leadership on employee relations matters, performance management, and corrective action processes.
• Enhance Team Member Engagement and Retention. Support engagement programs and initiatives that promote a positive workplace culture and improve morale and retention.
• Support Payroll, Benefits, and Compensation Administration. Address team member questions and manage administrative processes related to payroll, benefits, compensation, and leaves of absence (LOA).
• Ensure Compliance with Laws and Policies. Monitor HR practices for compliance with employment laws and internal policies, conducting audits and managing any compliance issues that arise.
• Manage HR Data and Reporting. Maintain accurate HR records, team member data, and produce reports and metrics to support operational and leadership needs.
• Drive Continuous Improvement and HR Service Excellence. Identify and implement process improvements within HR operations to improve efficiency, service delivery, and team member satisfaction.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of HR experience, preferably in a manufacturing or production environment
• Experience supporting engagement programs and leadership development initiatives for site leaders.
• Strong employee relations experience supporting an hourly and corporate workforce
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate across all levels of the organization
• Hands‑on experience administering leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA, and related compliance requirements
• A proactive, team-oriented approach and a passion for supporting people and driving continuous improvement

Desired Qualifications

• Proficiency in HCM and Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail in a dynamic environment
• Proficiency with HR systems and tools; experience with Dayforce or similar HRIS is a plus