Human Resources Manager

Stepan Company; Illinois; On-site; USD 103,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary Bonus

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401K with Match

Profit Sharing

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (4

Dependent Care Flexible Spending

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Adoption Assistance

Reactions – Recognition Program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Stepan Company in Illinois seeks an HR Manager to serve as the plant’s labor and employee relations expert, partnering with the SR HR Business Partner, Legal, and site leadership to promote positive employee relations and ensure compliance with employment laws.

The role guides investigations, performance management, labor strategy, grievance handling, and collective bargaining interpretation where applicable, while coaching managers and monitoring trends to sustain a respectful, compliant

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of focused experience in labor and employee relations, plus progressive HR experience.
• Manufacturing experience required; chemical manufacturing preferred.
• Demonstrated experience conducting complex workplace investigations.
• Strong working knowledge of labor and employment laws, including NLRA, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, Title VII, and EEOC regulations.
• Experience advising leaders on employee relations, disciplinary actions, performance management, and terminations.
• Experience partnering with Legal Counsel on employment matters.
• Excellent interviewing, investigative, documentation, and report-writing skills.
• Strong conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising sound judgment and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary advisor to HR Business Partners and site leadership on labor and employee relations matters.
• Lead complex workplace investigations involving employee misconduct, policy violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics concerns, and other sensitive employment issues.
• Conduct thorough investigations, document findings, and provide recommendations that minimize organizational and legal risk.
• Provide guidance on disciplinary actions, corrective actions, performance improvement plans, suspensions, and terminations while ensuring consistency and legal compliance.
• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements and advise leadership on contractual obligations and labor practices.
• Support labor negotiations by preparing data, analyzing proposals, developing strategies, and partnering with Legal and leadership teams.
• Manage grievance administration through investigation, resolution, and documentation.
• Partner with HR Business Partners to resolve complex employee relations issues and build manager capability.
• Provide coaching to leaders on conflict resolution, difficult conversations, performance management, documentation, and employment law.
• Monitor labor relations trends and identify proactive strategies to improve employee engagement and reduce workplace conflict.
• Develop and deliver training on labor relations, workplace investigations, respectful workplace practices, progressive discipline, and employment law compliance.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including NLRA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, and EEOC regulations.
• Partner with Legal Counsel on litigation support, agency responses, audits, and employment claims.
• Maintain accurate documentation and case management records.
• Analyze employee relations trends and metrics to recommend continuous improvement opportunities.
• Support organizational initiatives while fostering a respectful, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace.

Skills

Labor relations

Workplace investigations

Disciplinary actions

Performance management

Contract interpretation

Conflict resolution

Training & coaching

Data analysis

Confidentiality

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Organizational Development, or related field

SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification

Experience supporting unionized manufacturing environments

Experience participating in collective bargaining negotiations and grievance arbitration

Lean or continuous improvement experience

Tools

HRIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

The HR Manager serves as this plant's subject matter expert for labor and employee relations, partnering closely with the SR HR Business Partner, business leaders, Legal, and site leadership to promote positive employee relations, ensure compliance with labor and employment laws, and minimize organizational risk.

This role provides strategic guidance on complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, performance management, labor strategy, grievance administration, collective bargaining agreement interpretation (where applicable), and conflict resolution. This position does not have direct reports.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary advisor to HR Business Partners and site leadership on labor and employee relations matters.
• Lead complex workplace investigations involving employee misconduct, policy violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics concerns, and other sensitive employment issues.
• Conduct thorough investigations, document findings, and provide recommendations that minimize organizational and legal risk.
• Provide guidance on disciplinary actions, corrective actions, performance improvement plans, suspensions, and terminations while ensuring consistency and legal compliance.
• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements and advise leadership on contractual obligations and labor practices.
• Support labor negotiations by preparing data, analyzing proposals, developing strategies, and partnering with Legal and leadership teams.
• Manage grievance administration through investigation, resolution, and documentation.
• Partner with HR Business Partners to resolve complex employee relations issues and build manager capability.
• Provide coaching to leaders on conflict resolution, difficult conversations, performance management, documentation, and employment law.
• Monitor labor relations trends and identify proactive strategies to improve employee engagement and reduce workplace conflict.
• Develop and deliver training on labor relations, workplace investigations, respectful workplace practices, progressive discipline, and employment law compliance.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including:
  • National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Title VII
  • EEOC regulations
• Partner with Legal Counsel on litigation support, agency responses, audits, and employment claims.
• Maintain accurate documentation and case management records.
• Analyze employee relations trends and metrics to recommend continuous improvement opportunities.
• Support organizational initiatives while fostering a respectful, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of focused experience in labor and employee relations, plus progressive HR experience.
• Manufacturing experience required; chemical manufacturing preferred.
• Demonstrated experience conducting complex workplace investigations.
• Strong working knowledge of labor and employment laws, including NLRA, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, Title VII, and EEOC regulations.
• Experience advising leaders on employee relations, disciplinary actions, performance management, and terminations.
• Experience partnering with Legal Counsel on employment matters.
• Excellent interviewing, investigative, documentation, and report‑writing skills.
• Strong conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple high‑priority employee relations cases simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality while exercising sound judgment and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Education

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Organizational Development, or related field.
• SHRM‑SCP or SPHR certification.
• Experience supporting unionized manufacturing environments.
• Experience participating in collective bargaining negotiations and grievance arbitration.
• Lean or continuous improvement experience.

Pay Range: $103,000 - $139,000

The salary range for this position is determined by considering a variety of factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and the location of the position.

Benefits

• Discretionary Bonus
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K with Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD / LTD)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Adoption Assistance
• Reactions – Recognition Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Company Overview

Stepan is a global specialty and intermediate chemical manufacturer that has been serving a broad range of industries for over 90 years. Today, Stepan is a $2.7 billion revenue company. Our continued success is driven by the passion and commitment of our 2,500+ employees around the world.

Why Work At Stepan?

• Stable & Growing
• Collaborative Environment
• Make a Difference & Be Recognized
• Committed to Safety & Sustainability
• Value Driven Culture

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