Human Resource Generalist (Elk Grove Village)

Klein Tools; Elk Grove Village (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Product Discounts

Education Assistance

Job summary

Klein Tools is seeking an Human Resource Generalist for the Elk Grove Village facility. You will partner with leaders to create a safe, productive, and engaging work environment while driving business results.

You will oversee labor relations, recruitment, onboarding, payroll, benefits, safety programs, and HRIS records. The role requires strong communication, Excel skills, and experience in a manufacturing or unionized setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field; 5+ years HR generalist/management experience required.
• 3 years in a manufacturing or unionized environment preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; ability to handle confidential information.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel; Dayforce HCM experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee labor relations, contract administration, and grievances; partner with union committee.
• Foster an inclusive, engaging environment; support leaders and employees.
• Guide local management on HR activities including labor relations, attendance, records, and policy.
• Conduct interviews and oversee recruiting for the facility.
• Coordinate plant safety programs and OSHA compliance actions.
• Review and administer disciplinary actions and terminations; conduct investigations.
• Manage onboarding, background checks, I-9 compliance, and training acknowledgments.
• Oversee payroll processing and respond to payroll inquiries.
• Support benefits enrollment and resolve issues with Benefits Manager as needed.
• Coordinate workers’ comp/unemployment claims and interface with vendors and agencies.
• Identify training needs and support development programs; manage performance reviews.
• Manage leaves of absence (STD, FMLA, WC); ensure HRIS records are up-to-date.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Excel

Dayforce HCM

Confidential info handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Tools

Dayforce HCM

Job description

Human Resource Generalist (Elk Grove Village)

Elk Grove Village, IL, USA

Job Description

Posted Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 6:00 AM

At Klein Tools, curiosity powers discovery, ownership inspires excellence, and urgency means we run towards opportunities. We deliver quality and innovation in everything we do, designing and launching hundreds of groundbreaking products each year. Join us and be part of a legacy built to last.

Are you passionate about people, workplace safety, and creating a positive employee experience? We are seeking a Human Resources Manager who can build strong relationships, foster trust, and partner with leaders to create a safe, productive, and engaged work environment while driving meaningful business results.

Perks for you include:

• Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, & Dental)
• Discounts on Klein Tools products
• Education and Professional Development Assistance

• Oversee the lab or relations and contract administration responsibilities for the facility including facilitating a partnership with the union bargaining committee, participating in contract negotiations, and administering grievances.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and engaging environment where employee needs are exceeded and leaders are supported.
• Provide direction and guidance to local management and employees on Human Resource activities, to include: labor relations, employee activities, attendance, disability, records management, job bid/hiring process, and policy and procedures.
• Conduct interviews and oversee recruiting process for the facility to hire qualified individuals in open positions.
• Coordinate the plant safety programs, including chair safety committee, conduct safety training, advise management of all plant safety policies and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards, and recommend necessary compliance actions.
• Review, guide, and administer employee disciplinary actions and involuntary termination procedures.
• Conduct investigations when employee complaints or concerns are brought forth.
• Manage the Administrative Assistant function, which includes hiring/firing, preparing performance reviews, training and instructing, and managing work flow.
• Manage the on-boarding process for all local hires, including reviewing and approving background checks, collecting documentation, conducting new employee orientation presentations, I-9 compliance, new employee announcements, and ensuring all new employees complete key training & policy acknowledgments.
• Oversee processing of payroll for the facility, including auditing the payroll records and answering and processing payroll inquiries such as court ordered child support deductions and garnishments.
• Support employees through all phases of benefit enrollment, provides assistance to employees with benefit issues and questions, escalating to the Benefits Manager as needed.
• Coordinate all workers’ compensation and unemployment claims processing and interface with third party administrators, outside legal counsel and respective state agencies, and maintain OSHA and Workers' Compensation (WC) files and logs.
• Identify training and development needs and assist in the delivery and implementation of programs to meet the needs of the plant.
• Oversee the performance management process at the local level. Review all performance reviews and provide recommendations to managers and supervisors for handling employee performance feedback.
• Manage leave of absences for employees including interfacing with third party vendor to administer Short-Term Disability (STD), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Workers' Compensation, and oversee Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other unpaid leaves.
• Ensure personnel records are maintained; maintain Human Resource Information System in compliance with Company policy and government agencies and ensure system of record is up-to-date.
• Perform all other duties as required within the nature and level of work.

• Oversee the lab or relations and contract administration responsibilities for the facility including facilitating a partnership with the union bargaining committee, participating in contract negotiations, and administering grievances.

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and engaging environment where employee needs are exceeded and leaders are supported.

• Provide direction and guidance to local management and employees on Human Resource activities, to include: labor relations, employee activities, attendance, disability, records management, job bid/hiring process, and policy and procedures.

• Conduct interviews and oversee recruiting process for the facility to hire qualified individuals in open positions.

• Coordinate the plant safety programs, including chair safety committee, conduct safety training, advise management of all plant safety policies and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) standards, and recommend necessary compliance actions.

• Review, guide, and administer employee disciplinary actions and involuntary termination procedures.

• Conduct investigations when employee complaints or concerns are brought forth.

• Manage the Administrative Assistant function, which includes hiring/firing, preparing performance reviews, training and instructing, and managing work flow.

• Manage the on-boarding process for all local hires, including reviewing and approving background checks, collecting documentation, conducting new employee orientation presentations, I-9 compliance, new employee announcements, and ensuring all new employees complete key training & policy acknowledgments.

• Oversee processing of payroll for the facility, including auditing the payroll records and answering and processing payroll inquiries such as court ordered child support deductions and garnishments.

• Support employees through all phases of benefit enrollment, provides assistance to employees with benefit issues and questions, escalating to the Benefits Manager as needed.

• Coordinate all workers’ compensation and unemployment claims processing and interface with third party administrators, outside legal counsel and respective state agencies, and maintain OSHA and Workers' Compensation (WC) files and logs.

• Identify training and development needs and assist in the delivery and implementation of programs to meet the needs of the plant.

• Oversee the performance management process at the local level. Review all performance reviews and provide recommendations to managers and supervisors for handling employee performance feedback.

• Manage leave of absences for employees including interfacing with third party vendor to administer Short-Term Disability (STD), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Workers' Compensation, and oversee Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other unpaid leaves.

• Ensure personnel records are maintained; maintain Human Resource Information System in compliance with Company policy and government agencies and ensure system of record is up-to-date.

• Perform all other duties as required within the nature and level of work.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field and a minimum of five (5) years of Human Resources experience working in a generalist or management role is required. Three (3) years of experience working in a manufacturing or unionized environment is preferred.

• Must possess strong communication and organizational skills, and a positive yet determined attitude. Must possess strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel. Experience with Dayforce HCM is preferred, but not required. Ability to learn quickly and multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Ability to handle a high degree of confidential and sensitive information and the ability to work with all levels within the organization.

Physical Demand Requirements

Occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This role has an annual salary range of $80,000-$100,000. In addition to salary, you’re eligible for competitive benefits that support you and your family as part of your total rewards package at Klein Tools Inc. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors, including, but not limited to, skills, experience, and location.

Your main focus:

Klein Tools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For candidates with disabilities and needing assistance, please email us at [e-mail].