HR Generalist

Normine Lombard; Scappoose (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Chaucer Foods is seeking an experienced HR Generalist to support our Forest Grove site. You will partner with plant leadership and front-line staff to recruit, onboard, and manage employee relations in a 130-employee manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities include payroll support, leave administration, and day-to-day HR guidance. Candidates should have strong communication, confidentiality, and problem-solving skills, with a focus on building a positive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of progressive HR generalist experience, including payroll.
• 3+ years of recruiting experience.
• Experience supporting hourly employees in manufacturing/production environments.
• Experience with employee relations and recruiting.
• Working knowledge of payroll processes, leave administration, and employment practices.

Responsibilities

• Partner with plant leadership and frontline workforce as a key HR resource.
• Lead and support recruiting for hourly production and plant positions; coordinate interviews, offers, and onboarding.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, attendance, and workplace concerns; support investigations.
• Support payroll processes, timekeeping, attendance, and HR data accuracy.
• Coordinate leave processes and accommodation requests; ensure compliance with employment requirements.
• Drive HR programs, communications, and workforce planning in a fast-paced manufacturing setting.

Skills

HR Generalist

Payroll

Recruiting

Employee relations

Leave administration

HRIS

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS

Job description

Must be willing to work 5 days a week in Forest Grove, OR

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on HR Generalist to support our client and their Forest Grove team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys being close to the business, building relationships with employees and leaders, solving problems, and making a tangible impact on the employee experience.

As an HR Generalist supporting our Forest Grove site, you will be a key HR partner to plant leadership and our frontline workforce. You’ll play an important role in recruiting and retaining talent, supporting employee relations, ensuring accurate payroll processes, coordinating leave and accommodations, and providing day-to-day HR guidance in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role supports a workforce of approximately 130 employees.

What You Will Do

Recruiting and Talent

• Lead and support recruiting activities for hourly production and plant positions.
• Partner with hiring managers to understand staffing needs, develop recruiting strategies, and move candidates efficiently through the hiring process.
• Coordinate interviews, offers, pre-employment requirements, and onboarding.
• Help strengthen Chaucer Foods’ local talent pipeline and employer brand.
• Identify opportunities to improve retention and the overall new-hire experience.

Employee Relations

• Serve as a trusted HR resource for employees and people leaders.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, attendance, workplace concerns, and corrective action.
• Conduct or support HR investigations and help ensure consistent application of company policies.
• Coach leaders on effective communication, documentation, and people management practices.
• Promote a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture.

Payroll and HR Operations

• Support accurate and timely payroll processes for the Forest Grove workforce, applying familiarity with manufacturing and hourly payroll practices in Oregon and California.
• Partner with managers and employees to resolve payroll, timekeeping, and attendance questions.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation.
• Support HR reporting, audits, and compliance activities.
• Help identify opportunities to streamline HR processes and improve employee experience.

Leave Accommodations and Compliance

• Coordinate and support employee leave processes and workplace accommodation requests in partnership with appropriate internal and external resources.
• Help ensure consistent and compliant administration of applicable federal, state, and local employment requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and confidentiality.
• Partner with employees and leaders to facilitate effective return-to-work and accommodation processes.

General HR Support

• Support employee communications, engagement initiatives, and site HR programs.
• Assist with performance management, training, and development initiatives.
• Partner with leadership on workforce planning and organizational needs.
• Be a visible HR presence within the Forest Grove plant and build strong relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Take on additional HR projects and initiatives that support the growth of Chaucer Foods.

What We Are Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of progressive HR generalist experience, including payroll experience.
• 3+ years of recruiting experience.
• Experience supporting hourly employees, preferably in a manufacturing, food production, distribution, or other operations environment.
• Demonstrated experience with employee relations and recruiting.
• Working knowledge of payroll processes, leave administration, and employment practices.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment with sensitive employee matters.
• Comfortable working independently while also partnering closely with plant and corporate leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or similar HR certification.

Experience supporting a union or non-union manufacturing workforce.

Experience with timekeeping/payroll systems.

Experience with leave and accommodation administration.