Human Resources Generalist

Universal Corporation; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Pension

Paid holidays

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co. Inc. is seeking an HR Generalist to support daily HR and payroll operations for hourly employees. Responsibilities include weekly payroll, attendance tracking, and advising on benefits enrollment.

You will investigate employee issues and support leaves and workers’ compensation matters. Applicants need a BA/BS or equivalent, 1–3 years HR experience, and proficiency with HRIS systems. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in HR or related field.
• 1-3 years HR or payroll experience.
• Experience with HRIS systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel and Word).
• Bilingual English and Spanish ability.
• Strong attention to detail and discretion.
• Ability to start at 6:00am once a month.

Responsibilities

• Process weekly payroll for hourly employees.
• Support payroll audits and resolve discrepancies.
• Handle hourly pay changes for promotions/transfers/annual raises.
• Serve as the primary time and attendance contact.
• Conduct employee investigations, disciplinary meetings, and terminations.
• Administer and maintain leave of absence programs (FMLA and Personal time).
• Assist benefits enrollment and open enrollment support.
• Manage workers’ compensation claims data collection.

Skills

Payroll

HRIS

Excel

Word

Bilingual English/Spanish

Attention to detail

Discretion

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Workforce Manager

Job description

Status: Full-Time

Reports To: Human Resources Manager

Hours: M-F 7am-3:30pm

Our Company

Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co. Inc., a subsidiary of Universal Corporation, manages dark air-cured tobacco operations in the traditional growing areas of the United States. The company contracts directly with local farmers and exports globally.

The Global Leader in Premium Leaf Tobacco Supply

Universal Leaf Tobacco Company is the world’s leading supplier of premium leaf tobacco, with over 100 years of experience sourcing, processing, and delivering tobacco crops tailored to customer specifications. With operations spanning major tobacco-regions across five continents, we connect hundreds of thousands of farmers to global manufacturers through a reliable, transparent, and traceable supply chain.

Our portfolio includes flue-cured, burley, oriental, and dark tobaccos, supported by deep agronomic expertise and advanced processing capabilities. Beyond the leaf, we offer value-added services such as customized blending, next-generation nicotine solutions, recycled by-products, and digital traceability tools that enhance efficiency and sustainability across the supply chain.

Universal Leaf Tobacco is more than a supplier – we are a long-term partner committed to responsible sourcing, farmer support, and continuous innovation. By investing in agricultural communities and upholding the highest standards of quality and compliance, we help ensure a resilient tobacco supply for generations to come.

Summary

As a Human Resources Generalist at Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company, you will support Factory day-to-day HR and payroll operations for hourly employees, including processing weekly payroll, administering time and attendance, managing pay changes, and ensuring accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness. You will serve as a primary resource for employee relations by conducting investigations, disciplinary meetings, and terminations, while also administering leave of absence programs, supporting benefits enrollment, and managing workers’ compensation claims.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Process weekly payroll for hourly employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with payroll regulations.


• Support payroll audits and resolve discrepancies as needed.


• Review and process hourly pay changes related to promotions, transfers, and annual increases.


• Serve as the primary point of contact for time and attendance, including tracking, reconciliation, and corrective actions.


• Conduct employee investigations, disciplinary meetings, and terminations in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.


• Administer and maintain leave of absence programs; including FMLA and Personal time.


• Support benefits administration; assisting new hires with enrollments and supporting the broader HR team during open enrollment. Managing hourly benefit questions and answering/redirecting as appropriate.


• Manage hourly worker’s compensation claims, including data collection and liaising with claim representatives


• Provide documentation and support for internal and external audits and support SOX compliance requirements.


• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience


• 1-3 years of HR or payroll experience (or relevant coursework, internship, or externship).


• Experience working with HRIS systems.


• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel and Word).


• Ability to work independently with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.


• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.


• Strong organizational, time management, communication (oral and written), and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to start at 6:00am one weekday per month for Monthly Factory Team Meetings


• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience using ADP Workforce Now and Workforce Manager for payroll processing


• PHR/SHRM-CP certification.


• Pennsylvania specific payroll experience


• Experience managing unemployment claims and functional knowledge of PA unemployment law.


• Previous HR experience in a manufacturing warehouse environment


• Knowledge of Pennsylvania workers’ compensation regulations.

We offer a wide range of market-competitive total rewards that include 401(k) match, pension, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, short and long-term disability benefits, and tuition assistance to name a few.

EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet Employer

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.