HR Specialist, Solar

Corning Inc.; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-wide bonuses

100% company-paid pension

Health, dental, vision benefits

PTO and family support

Job summary

Corning Inc. is seeking an HR Specialist to partner with plant leadership and employees to foster a positive, high-performing work environment on the manufacturing floor.

You will support employee relations, talent acquisition, policy administration, and compliance with employment laws, coaching leaders and implementing key HR programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or Organization Development or equivalent.
• At least 2–4 years of HR generalist/specialist experience.
• Experience deploying global HR processes or programs.
• Knowledge of employment laws and policies.

Responsibilities

• Partner with plant leadership to foster a positive, high-performing work environment.
• Manage day-to-day HR support including employee relations and policy administration.
• Coach leaders in leadership practices and compliance with laws and policies.
• Maintain a strong plant-floor presence to drive engagement and retention.
• Educate on union contracts, local/state employment law, and safety programs.
• Track employment issues (FMLA, workers' comp) for procedural purposes.
• Manage HR initiatives like attendance tracking, training, and communications.

Skills

Labor relations

Hiring/selection

Employee relations resolution

Manufacturing knowledge

FMLA/WC tracking

Factory floor presence

Safety/training initiatives

Data-driven decisions

Deliver difficult feedback

Stakeholder meetings

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Organization Development, or equivalent

Job description

The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.

Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.

How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations– not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.

At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.

Come break through with us.

Our Solar business delivers industry leading, U.S.-made solar components. We manufacture hyper-pure polysilicon, high-quality solar wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, leveraging our leadership in advanced manufacturing to serve growing energy demand. You will be a part of advancing critical U.S. supply chains and delivering unmatched quality and reliability to customers.

Role Purpose

The HR Specialist partners with plant leadership and employees to foster a positive, high-performing work environment that reflects Corning's values and culture. This role provides day-to-day HR support in employee relations, talent acquisition, workforce development, policy administration, and compliance with employment laws and company policies. The HR Specialist coaches leaders through complex employee situations, supports the implementation of key HR programs and processes, and maintains a strong presence on the manufacturing floor to help drive engagement, retention, workforce effectiveness, and overall plant performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Effectively deploys hiring process for hourly workers and temporary employees
• Educates plant leadership on union contracts and local and state employment law to ensure compliance with contracts and applicable personnel management laws
• Manages and mitigates employee grievances by ensuring supervisors and leadership are creating an open forum for discussion and resolution of plant issues
• Coaches and counsels plant management in development and demonstration of leadership and management practices required to establish and maintain a positive work environment
• Resolves employee relations issues in a fair and consistent manner that protects the needs of the plant to operate in an effective and efficient manner
• Educates plant employees on shared service and third party vendor capabilities to increase use and benefits of these services
• Takes ownership for specific HR initiatives that support the effective operations of the organization by developing and/or delivering HR programs (e.g., attendance tracking, training, communications)
• Tracks and documents employment issues and requests (e.g., FMLA,workers compensation) as required for procedural and legislative purposes
• Identifies employee value proposition issues affecting turnover and works with Plant HR Manager to identify actions for improvement
• Establishes and maintains a presence on the plant floor to keep a read on the pulse of the organization
• Implements appropriate risk management policies and procedures to ensure plant compliance with safety requirements and local, state, and federal employment laws

Work Hours

• Managing a 24/7 plant structure, so occasional support when needed.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, or Organization Development, labor relations or equivalent.
• At least 2 –4 years of HR experience (generalist/specialist)
• Successful track record of performance in Plant HR Specialist or Center of Excellence (COE) role.
• First line supervision/experience.
• Successful track record in the deployment of global HR business processes or programs.
• Knowledge of employment laws and policies.

Required Skills

• Labor relations experience in a union environment; preferably Corning experience.
• Hiring / selection experience with union/hourly and salaried employees. Preference is that the candidate possesses experience with hourly recruiting in the Corning Valley and understands the associated valley movement processes.
• Experience resolving employee relations issues and conflicts.
• Manufacturing knowledge and experience and an understanding of how HR can have an impact.
• Experience with tracking FMLA, W/C, and DIS.
• Desire to maintain presence on the factory floor.
• Experience deploying safety and training initiatives in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and influence skills using data to support recommendations.
• Ability and willingness to deliver difficult feedback.
• Desire to help people and to make a positive difference.
• Ability to lead meetings and initiatives that involve stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Desired Skills

• Analytical mindset and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve issues proactively.
  
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Soft Skills

• Able to communicate equally well with various levels of the organization (engineers, production associates, and managers).
  
• Able to work in a team-oriented environment
  
• Self-motivated
  
• Able to handle multiple priorities
  
• High commitment level
  
• Ability to communicate to management

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is$67,200.00-$92,400.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

A job that shapes a life.

Corning offers you the total package.

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
• As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
• Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
• Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That’s why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.

We prohibit discrimination on the basis ofrace, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at [e-mail] .