Human Resources Generalist

Wolverine Crane & Service; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolverine Crane & Service in Grand Rapids, MI, is seeking an HR Generalist to support the full employee lifecycle, coordinating recruiting, onboarding, benefits, leave administration, employee relations, performance processes, training, compliance, and HR records. Reporting to the Controller, this role helps strengthen Wolverine’s employee-owned culture.

Collaborating with managers and leaders, the HR Generalist ensures confidentiality, legal compliance, payroll input, and ongoing process

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field preferred or equivalent experience.
• Three or more years of progressive HR generalist, benefits, payroll, or related experience preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing or multi-location environments strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal and Michigan employment practices, benefits, leave, wage/hour, recordkeeping, and employee-relations principles.
• Experience with HR information systems, payroll systems, Microsoft Excel/Outlook/Word, and electronic document management.

Responsibilities

• Partner with managers to define staffing needs, maintain job descriptions, post openings, source candidates, coordinate interviews, and support timely hiring decisions.
• Prepare offer docs and coordinate pre-employment requirements, background checks, drug testing, and other screening per policy and law.
• Lead new-hire onboarding, orientation, policy acknowledgment, benefit enrollment, and required documents.
• Coordinate role changes, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, and separations with proper approvals and records.
• Conduct or coordinate exit interviews and provide themes and retention observations to Controller and leadership.
• Support workforce planning and recruitment for fabrication, field service, installation, engineering, project, sales, and admin roles.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Privacy & discretion

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field

Tools

HRIS systems

Payroll systems

Excel

Outlook

Word

Document management

Job description

Proudly Employee-Owned | Midwest-Based | Full-Service Crane Manufacturer

Primary Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Department: Finance & Administration

Reports To: Controller

Status: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Human Resources Generalist supports the full employee lifecycle and serves as a trusted resource for employees and leaders across Wolverine Crane & Service. Reporting to the Controller, this hands-on role coordinates recruiting, onboarding, benefits, leave administration, employee relations, performance processes, training, compliance, and HR records while helping strengthen Wolverine’s employee-owned culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with managers to define staffing needs, maintain job descriptions, prepare postings, source candidates, coordinate interviews, and support timely hiring decisions.
• Prepare offer documentation and coordinate pre-employment requirements, background checks, drug testing, and other screening consistent with company policy and applicable law.
• Lead new-hire onboarding, orientation, policy acknowledgment, benefit enrollment, and required employment documentation.
• Coordinate role changes, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, and separations, ensuring approvals and records are complete and timely.
• Conduct or coordinate exit interviews and provide recurring themes and retention observations to the Controller and leadership.
• Support workforce planning and recruiting for fabrication, field service, installation, engineering, project, sales, and administrative positions.

Benefits, Leave & Payroll

• Administer day-to-day employee benefit activities, including enrollments, life-event changes, terminations, employee questions, carrier coordination, and annual open enrollment.
• Maintain accurate benefit eligibility and deduction records and reconcile employee and carrier information in coordination with the Controller, brokers, carriers, and payroll providers.
• Coordinate requests for protected and company-provided leave, disability benefits, and return-to-work documentation while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Provide timely employee-change, timekeeping, deduction, and other information required for accurate payroll processing; review reports and help resolve discrepancies.
• Support unemployment claims, workers’ compensation administration, and related documentation in coordination with the Controller, Safety Committee, supervisors, and insurance partners.
• Assist with employee communications and administration related to Wolverine’s ESOP and other company benefit programs.

Employee Relations, Performance & Development

• Serve as an accessible first point of contact for employee questions, concerns, policies, benefits, and workplace matters.
• Coach supervisors and managers on consistent application of policies, documentation, performance feedback, attendance, corrective action, and employee communication.
• Support fair, prompt, and well-documented review of employee complaints, workplace concerns, and policy violations; elevate sensitive or material matters to the Controller.
• Coordinate performance-review schedules, forms, completion tracking, and development plans.
• Identify common capability gaps and coordinate training, supervisor development, and employee education with internal and external resources.
• Promote a respectful, accountable, safety-focused workplace and reinforce Wolverine’s employee-owner values.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and confidential personnel, benefit, leave, training, and other employment records in accordance with company retention practices.
• Complete and retain Form I-9 and other required employment documentation and monitor time-sensitive expirations and follow-up actions.
• Support compliance with applicable federal, Michigan, and local employment requirements, including wage and hour, equal employment opportunity, disability accommodation, leave, benefit, and recordkeeping obligations.
• Maintain and update the employee handbook, HR procedures, forms, and required notices; coordinate legal or specialist review when appropriate.
• Partner with the Safety Committee and operational leaders on incident documentation, post-incident processes, return-to-work coordination, and employee safety communications.
• Respond to audits, benefit reviews, insurance requests, and government or agency inquiries under the direction of the Controller and leadership.
• Maintain accurate employee information in HR, payroll, benefit, recruiting, and training systems.
• Prepare recurring workforce reports and metrics, including headcount, turnover, attendance, open positions, time to fill, benefit participation, training completion, and other measures.
• Monitor deadlines and follow up with employees and managers to keep HR processes current and complete.
• Identify and implement practical improvements to onboarding, records, communication, benefits, performance management, recruiting, and other people processes.
• Perform other human resources and administrative responsibilities assigned by the Controller that are consistent with the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, in human resources, business administration, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Three or more years of progressive human resources generalist, benefits, payroll, employee relations, or related experience preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing, industrial service, construction, skilled trades, or another multi-location operating environment is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal and Michigan employment practices, benefit administration, leave, wage and hour, recordkeeping, and employee-relations principles.
• Experience with HR information systems, payroll systems, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and electronic document management.
• SHRM-CP, PHR, or comparable professional certification is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters with confidentiality, sound judgment, empathy, consistency, and appropriate escalation.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Core Competencies

• Integrity, discretion, and sound judgment
• Employee service and relationship building
• Fairness, consistency, and accountability
• Clear communication and constructive coaching
• Organization, follow-through, and attention to detail
• Practical problem solving and continuous improvement

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Regularly works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Frequently sits, communicates, reaches, and performs repetitive keyboard and document-handling tasks; periodically stands, walks, or moves throughout company facilities.
• Occasionally lifts or moves files, supplies, or office materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Periodically visits fabrication, warehouse, or service areas and may travel among Wolverine locations; all posted safety and personal protective equipment requirements must be followed.

Why Wolverine

Wolverine Crane & Service is a 100% employee-owned company that engineers, fabricates, installs, and services overhead crane systems. This position collaborates closely with leaders and employees across the organization and contributes directly to the success and prosperity of fellow employee-owners.

Wolverine Crane & Service, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without unlawful discrimination based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, familial status, marital status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

This description summarizes the principal duties of the Human Resources Generalist position and is not an employment contract. Responsibilities may change with business needs. Wolverine will consider reasonable accommodations that enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.

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