Human Resources Generalist - Bilingual Spanish/ English

U.S. Spice Mills, Inc.; Bloomingdale Township (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Spice Mills, Inc. in Illinois seeks an HR Generalist with 3–5 years in manufacturing to oversee recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, benefits, payroll, and safety. Bilingual English/Spanish required to ensure clear communication across shifts.

You will enforce policy, maintain HRIS data, and support culture-building and training in a fast-paced plant environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of HR experience in manufacturing or food industry.
• Bilingual English and Spanish (reading and writing) mandatory.
• Knowledge of HR laws and compliance for manufacturing.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruiting & onboarding processes from posting to offers.
• Handle employee relations, retention initiatives, and investigations.
• Coordinate performance assessments and related reporting.
• Administer benefits, leave, payroll, and HR systems.
• Support safety programs and OSHA/compliance requirements.
• Foster training and development to grow skills and culture.

Skills

Bilingual EN/ES

HR Laws

Communication Skills

Google Workspace

HRIS experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

PHR/SHRM-CP

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

About Us

U.S. Spice Mills is a major supplier of pure spices in the U.S. food industry since 1986. We are proud to provide high quality spices to large food producers of national brands that you know and love. At U.S. Spice Mills, Inc. we believe in the power of culture to drive our mission, vision, and values. We recognize the significance of nurturing a positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented environment. To champion these efforts, we are seeking a passionate HR Generalist who understands the core of company culture and values strong employee relationships.

Position Overview

As a Human Resources Generalist with 3-5 years of experience, you will be a trusted, business-minded HR professional responsible for a broad range of HR functions, including talent acquisition/recruitment, employee relations and retention, performance assessments, benefits and leave administration, payroll, compliance, and plant safety. You will make sound, consistent decisions that follow company policy, and protect the company and its workforce. Your ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish is vital for success in this role.

Primary Responsibilities

• Recruiting & Onboarding:
  • Lead the full-cycle recruitment process, including job postings, sourcing, screening, coordinating interviews, extending offers, and building relationships with staffing partners and community resources.
  • Design and deliver a professional onboarding and orientation experience that sets new hires up for success, communicates company policies and expectations, and supports early retention.
• Employee Relations & Retention:
  • Act as the first point of contact for employee questions and concerns, providing guidance consistent with company policy and directing employees to appropriate resources or departments when necessary.
  • Conduct confidential, objective investigations and advise managers on coaching, corrective action, and documentation to ensure consistent, well-documented decisions that protect the company.
  • Develop programs and initiatives that support positive employee relations, engagement, and a strong company culture, and use turnover data to improve retention.
• Timely Assessments Monitoring:
  • Coordinate with supervisors and managers to ensure timely completion of employee performance assessments.
  • Compile assessment data for analysis and reporting, highlighting trends and areas of opportunity.
• Benefits, Leave & Insurance:
  • Support the administration of benefits and insurance programs, including medical health insurance, open enrollment, and employee benefit questions.
  • Support and manage FMLA and other leave requests and coordinate accommodations in compliance with applicable laws and company policy.
• Payroll & HR Systems:
  • Calculate and process employee payroll hours accurately.
  • Maintain payroll and personnel records, keep HRIS data accurate, and promptly address payroll-related inquiries from employees.
• Culture, Training & Development:
  • Create, plan, and execute internal events, training sessions, and workshops to enhance company culture and professional growth.
  • Identify training needs and help build skill development opportunities that strengthen workforce capability and company performance.
• Plant Safety & Compliance:
  • Support the plant safety program to protect employees and the company from injury, liability, and loss, ensuring compliance with OSHA and state/local safety regulations, including injury and illness recordkeeping, reporting, and postings.
  • Track safety metrics (incident rates, near misses, training completion) and report trends and recommendations to management.
• General Office Duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in Human Resources within a manufacturing company or food industry.
• Preferred Certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, or similar) or Degree in Human Resources or a related field.
• Mandatory bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (reading and writing).
• Strong knowledge of HR laws and regulations specific to the manufacturing industry.
• Sound business judgment and the ability to make fair, consistent decisions that serve the best interests of the company.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented and able to maintain confidentiality.
• Proficient in Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Slides) or Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with HRIS and payroll systems preferred.
• Adaptable and tech-forward, with a willingness to use AI to work more efficiently.
• Outstanding organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail, ensuring records, payroll, and compliance documents are error-free and consistent.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment with strong time management skills.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be comfortable around fresh spice aroma & smells.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• A high-impact role: own key HR and safety functions and make decisions that protect the company & a stable workforce.
• Variety and growth: a true generalist role covering recruiting, employee relations, benefits, payroll, compliance, and safety, with room to grow your HR career.
• Competitive pay and benefits: salary based on experience and skills, plus medical health insurance and other benefits.
• Stability and pride: join a trusted supplier to national food brands that has been in business since 1986.
• A positive, professional culture: an inclusive, growth-oriented workplace built on strong working relationships and bilingual communication.

Salary Pay Range

$75,000-$82,000* annual Salary

*Based on past experience & skills

May need to travel between company locations

Equal Opportunity

U.S. Spice Mills, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. We believe that diversity of thought, background, and experience strengthens our team and helps us better serve our customers.