Human Resources Generalist

Pewabic; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision

401k

PTO & holidays

Disability & life insurance

Job summary

Pewabic Pottery, a Detroit nonprofit cultural institution and ceramics facility, seeks an HR Generalist to lead core HR functions across the organization, from production and design to retail and education staff.

The role partners with leadership to shape people strategy, compensation, and culture, combining operational expertise with discretion and a human touch to elevate Pewabic’s mission and values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5 to 7+ years progressive HR experience in office and manufacturing environments.
• Experience managing payroll and benefits administration.
• Payroll systems experience (Paychex) and HRIS proficiency.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead core HR functions, including compensation administration, benefits administration, talent acquisition, employee relations, and policy compliance.
• Implement and maintain compensation structure (pay bands, job leveling, internal equity).
• Champion a positive, mission-aligned organizational culture; lead employee engagement initiatives and design staff surveys.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers on performance management, conflict resolution, employee relations, and workplace concerns; develop transparent people practices.
• Design and lead leadership and supervisor development programs—training, team-building, and coaching on communication and respectful workplace behaviors.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including manufacturing/work environments.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

Policy compliance

Payroll administration

HRIS proficiency

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Tools

Paychex

HRIS

Job description

Location: Detroit, MI (on-site with some flexibility)

Schedule Expectations: Role may require occasional evening or weekend availability

Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000

Position Summary

Pewabic Pottery is a 123-year-old cultural anchor on Detroit's evolving east side, and as it welcomes a new Executive Director and enters an exciting new chapter, the organization is seeking a Human Resources Generalist who is ready to help shape what comes next. Pewabic is a nonprofit cultural institution that also operates a ceramics manufacturing facility, and this role provides HR support across the full breadth of that organization — including production and design teams, retail operations, and administrative and education staff. This is an opportunity to serve as a true partner to leadership in supporting an employee culture that is equitable, transparent, and deeply aligned with Pewabic's mission and values. The HR Generalist will have a meaningful seat at the table in shaping Pewabic's strategic vision around people, compensation, and organizational culture, and will bring both the operational expertise and the human touch to make that vision real. The ideal candidate is an experienced, collaborative HR professional who is energized by culture-building, skilled in leadership development, and brings operational expertise, sound judgment, and discretion to every aspect of the employee experience. Primary areas of responsibility include HR leadership and culture development, employee lifecycle management, payroll and benefits administration, campus safety coordination, budget stewardship, and compliance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead all core HR functions, including compensation administration, benefits administration, talent acquisition, employee relations, and policy compliance.

Implement and maintain compensation structure (pay bands, job leveling, internal equity).

Champion a positive, mission-aligned organizational culture; lead employee engagement. initiatives and design staff surveys and feedback loops to continuously improve the employee experience.

Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and leadership on performance management, conflict resolution, employee relations, and workplace concerns; develop and maintain transparent, consistent people practices aligned with organizational values.

Design and lead leadership and supervisor development programs—including training, team-building, and coaching on communication, performance conversations, and respectful. workplace behaviors—cultivating and managing external consultants and facilitators as needed

Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including those specific to manufacturing/production work environments (e.g., workplace safety standards).

Budget & Strategic Alignment

Develop and manage the annual HR budget, including forecasting, expenditure approval, and aligning people investments with organizational financial and strategic priorities.

Payroll & Benefits Administration

Process bi-weekly payroll and maintain employee data in Paychex; serve as primary liaison with benefits providers and brokers, leading open enrollment and ongoing benefits communication; administer PTO, leave tracking, holiday schedules, and 401(k) administration, compliance testing, and reporting.

Talent Acquisition & Employee Lifecycle

Manage full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding, including employment documentation and pre-employment requirements; conduct exit interviews to analyze retention trends; support onboarding logistics and develop and oversee staff and leadership training programs.

Operations Support & Reporting

Respond to HR data requests, regulatory filings, audit and grant reporting, and conference and training approvals; manage access control systems, key fob issuance, and campus safety coordination; maintain documentation and compliance records.

Additional Responsibilities

Design and manage the organization-wide performance management system; oversee vendor relationships, contract coordination, and enforcement of HR compliance standards.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent professional experience

5 to 7+ years progressive HR experience
Comfort supporting a workforce that spans both office/administrative and manufacturing environments

Experience managing payroll and benefits administration
Experience advising managers on employee relations and compliance matters

Payroll systems experience (Paychex preferred) and HRIS proficiency
Strong documentation and reporting skills

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations

Knowledge of Michigan employment law

Familiarity with workplace safety practices in a manufacturing setting

Experience supporting grant-funded staffing structures

Experience navigating employee relations matters with professionalism and care

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

Ability to walk campus properties and access multiple buildings; extended computer use

New Hires that meet the benefit eligibility requirements of 30 hours per week or more will enjoy the following benefits after 90 days:

• Be a part of a creative, fun, enthusiastic team
• Benefits including health, dental and vision
• 401k
• Short term and long term disability and life insurance
• PTO and holiday days