Labor Relations Specialist

Arconic Corporation; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Arconic Corporation in Lafayette, IN, is seeking a Labor Relations Lead to serve as the subject matter expert for labor relations within our plant operations. You will partner with managers to support strategic and tactical goals in employee and labor relations, fostering positive labor-management relationships and ensuring compliance with labor agreements.

The role involves guiding investigations, leading grievance hearings, advising on HR policies, and coordinating with union representatives,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 5 years of labor relations experience in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and bargaining labor agreements.
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position is subject to the ITAR, which requires U.S. person status.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on the administration and interpretation of labor agreements and HR policies to ensure consistent and compliant application.
• Lead 2nd step grievance hearings, resolve issues appropriately, and support 3rd step grievance hearings and arbitration processes, including case preparation and presentation.
• Serve as the primary HR contact for operations, delivering comprehensive support in labor and employee relations matters.
• Maintain ongoing communication with union representatives, bargaining committees, plant leadership, and legal counsel to foster positive labor-management relations.
• Design and deliver training for supervisors and front-line leaders on labor relations topics, including contract interpretation, grievance handling, and effective communication with union-represented employees.
• Conduct thorough and timely investigations into workplace issues involving hourly employees, ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and compliance with labor agreements and company policies.
• Lead select HR initiatives across the plant, ensuring alignment with company policies, values, and strategic goals.
• Ensure all employment practices—including hiring, promotions, demotions, and discipline—comply with collective bargaining agreements, EEO laws, and internal policies.
• Stay current with local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations to ensure ongoing compliance and best practices.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Communication

Relationship building

Organization & prioritization

Problem solving

Professionalism

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

The Labor Relations Lead for the Lafayette and Chandler manufacturing facilities serves as the subject matter expert in labor relations within our plant operations. This role partners closely with department and area managers to support strategic and tactical goals in employee and labor relations. The ideal candidate will foster positive labor-management relationships, ensure compliance with labor agreements, and contribute to a collaborative and productive work environment.

Labor Agreement Guidance

Provide expert advice on the administration and interpretation of labor agreements and HR policies to ensure consistent and compliant application.

Strategic Labor Relations

Collaborate with leadership across departments to identify opportunities and implement labor relations strategies that enhance operational efficiency and flexibility.

Grievance and Arbitration Management

Lead 2nd step grievance hearings, resolve issues appropriately, and support 3rd step grievance hearings and arbitration processes, including case preparation and presentation.

HR Partnership

Serve as the primary HR contact for operations, delivering comprehensive support in labor and employee relations matters.

Union and Management Communication

Maintain ongoing communication with union representatives, bargaining committees, plant leadership, and legal counsel to foster positive labor-management relations.

Supervisor Training and Development

Design and deliver training for supervisors and front-line leaders on labor relations topics, including contract interpretation, grievance handling, and effective communication with union-represented employees.

Employee Investigations

Conduct thorough and timely investigations into workplace issues involving hourly employees, ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and compliance with labor agreements and company policies.

HR Function Leadership

Lead select HR initiatives across the plant, ensuring alignment with company policies, values, and strategic goals.

Compliance Oversight

Ensure all employment practices—including hiring, promotions, demotions, and discipline—comply with collective bargaining agreements, EEO laws, and internal policies.

Regulatory Awareness

Stay current with local, state, and federal employment laws and regulations to ensure ongoing compliance and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum of 5 years of labor relations experience in a unionized environment
• Demonstrated experience negotiating and bargaining labor agreements
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which requires U.S. person status. ITAR defines U.S. person as an U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card Holder), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across all organizational levels
• Strong conflict resolution, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Demonstrated experience bargaining to impasse
• Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP) designation
• Extensive labor relations experience in a manufacturing setting

Key Competencies

• Emotional Intelligence:Maintains composure and objectivity in high-pressure situations.
• Communication:Strong verbal and written communication skills across all organizational levels.
• Relationship Building:Proven ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Organization & Prioritization:Manages multiple priorities and projects with efficiency and attention to detail.
• Problem Solving:Applies sound judgment and critical thinking to resolve complex labor relations issues.
• Professionalism:Demonstrates integrity, discretion, and a high standard of conduct in all interactions, especially when handling sensitive labor and employee relations matters.