Human Resources Generalist

FERGUSON; Carol Stream (IL); On-site; USD 59,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Ferguson is seeking a dynamic Human Resources professional for its Carol Stream Distribution Center to lead staff engagement, leadership development, and high‑performing culture across the building. You will partner with associates and leaders, coach through performance conversations, and drive retention and communication.

The role focuses on staffing, onboarding, development programs, and change management in a fast-paced DC environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years HR experience, including 2+ years site operations HR support.
• Experience with unionized workforces in DC/warehouse environments.
• Experience with start-up or newly established sites (staffing, onboarding, readiness).
• Ability to foster a positive, high‑performing culture with leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR strategy for staffing the Distribution Center leadership team using proven practices.
• Identify gaps and partner with leaders to improve performance and retention.
• Create reporting (attrition, hiring, performance) to guide decisions.
• Design and facilitate training for managers on interviewing and performance management.
• Act as partner on employee relations and ensure policy compliance.
• Monitor employment law updates and translate into processes for the site.
• Lead HR compliance efforts (audits, background checks, drug screens).

Skills

HR strategy

Employee relations

Communication

Data analytics

Coaching

Union relations

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Workday

Microsoft Office

HRIS

Job description

Job Posting:

Since 1953, Ferguson has been a source of quality supplies for a variety of industries. Together We Build Better infrastructure, better homes and better businesses. We exist to make our customers’ complex projects simple, successful, and sustainable. We proactively solve problems, adapt and grow to continuously serve our customers, communities and each other. Ferguson, a Fortune 500 company, is proud to provide best-in-class products, service and capabilities across the following industries: Commercial/Mechanical, Facilities Supply, Fire and Fabrication, HVAC, Industrial, Residential Trade, Residential Building and Remodel, Waterworks and Residential Digital Commerce. Ferguson has approximately 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations. Ferguson is a community of proud associates who operate with the shared purpose of building something meaningful. You will build a career that you are proud of, at a company you can believe in.

Ferguson is looking for a dynamic Human Resources professional to join our Distribution Center team and help build the associate experience on a day-to-day basis. If you enjoy building relationships, being a trusted partner to leaders, and making a real impact in a fast-paced environment, this could be a great fit.

This is an onsite role based at our Carol Stream, IL Distribution Center.

In this role, you will support an estimated workforce of 150 hourly team members and 15+ exempt leaders. It centers on associate engagement, leadership development, and driving a positive, high-performance culture across the building. You’ll partner closely with both associates and leaders of all levels, coaching through performance conversations, navigating employee relationships, and helping leaders show up effectively for their teams.

You will also play a key role in keeping HR practices consistent and practical for the building, helping drive communication, support retention, and contribute to an overall strong associate experience.

This role works side by side with DC leadership on staffing strategies, onboarding and training efforts, career progression and development programs, and succession planning. You will also help support change through evolution, making sure leaders and teams stay aligned and supported along the way.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the HR strategy for staffing the new Distribution Center leadership team, using proven practices from established Distribution Centers across the company.
• Identifies operational gaps and partners with leaders to implement practical HR solutions that improve performance, engagement, and retention.
• Builds and delivers actionable reporting (attrition, hiring, performance, surveys) to guide leadership decisions and track progress.
• Supports the design and facilitation of hands‑on training for managers on interviewing, performance management, employee relations, and day‑to‑day leadership skills.
• Acts as a partner on employee relations issues, coaching managers through situations, ensuring consistency, and maintaining compliance with company policies and employment laws.
• Stays current on employment law and policy updates; translates changes into clear guidance and updates to processes that work in a fast‑paced distribution environment.
• Leads and supports HR compliance efforts (audits, background checks, drug screens, documentation), partnering with HRIS and ensuring issues are quickly resolved and processes improved.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of HR experience, including at least 2 years supporting site operations as an HR Manager or Business Partner
• 5+ years of HR experience providing support to a unionized workforce, preferably within a distribution center, warehouse, manufacturing, or similar operational environment
• Experience supporting a recently established distribution center or site start-up, including workforce planning, recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and organizational readiness
• Ability to establish and influence a positive, high‑performing culture from day one, partnering closely with site leadership to drive employee engagement, communication, retention, and accountability
• Solid background in industrial or distribution environments with large hourly populations
• Demonstrated ability to build trust, influence leaders, and hold teams accountable to expectations and standards
• Experience supporting proactive employee relations strategies, including maintaining a positive employee experience and minimizing risk
• Strong analytical skills with experience using data to identify trends and drive action
• Experience with HR systems (Workday preferred) and Microsoft tools
• HR certification (PHR/SPHR/SHRM) is desirable
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred; ability to use resources to support communication across language barriers is a plus.

At Ferguson, we care for each other. We value our well‑being just as much as our hard work. We are committed to a holistic approach towards benefits plans and programs that support the mental, physical and financial well‑being of our associates. Our competitive offering not only includes benefits like health, dental, vision, paid time off, life insurance and a 401(k) with a company match, but our associates also enjoy additional meaningful and inclusive enhancements that are adaptable to their diverse situations and needs, including mental health coverage, gender affirming and family building benefits, paid parental leave, associate discounts, community involvement opportunities and more!

Pay Range:

$5,258.34 - $8,408.34

Estimated Ranges displayed are Monthly for Salaried roles OR Hourly for all other roles.

This role is Bonus or Incentive Plan eligible.

Ferguson complies with all wage regulations. The starting wage may be higher in certain locations based on local or state wage requirements.

The Company is an equal opportunity employer as well as a government contractor that shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a), which prohibits discrimination against qualified protected Veterans and the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(A), which prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability.

Ferguson Enterprises, LLC. is an equal employment employerF/M/Disability/Vet/SexualOrientation/Gender Identity.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Information