Labor Relations Specialist

Arconic; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Arconic Corporation in Lafayette, IN is seeking a Labor Relations Lead for our Lafayette and Chandler facilities. You will serve as the subject matter expert in labor relations, partnering with department and area managers to support strategic and tactical goals in employee and labor relations.

The role focuses on fostering positive labor-management relationships, ensuring compliance with labor agreements, and driving a collaborative, productive work environment.

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.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across all organizational levels.
• Strong conflict resolution, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available.
• ITAR: U.S. person status required.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on administration and interpretation of labor agreements and HR policies.
• Collaborate with leadership across departments to implement labor relations strategies.
• Lead 2nd step grievance hearings and support 3rd step hearings and arbitration processes.
• Serve as the primary HR contact for operations.
• Maintain ongoing communication with union representatives, bargaining committees, plant leadership, and legal counsel.
• Design and deliver training for supervisors on labor relations topics.
• Investigate workplace issues involving hourly employees with fairness and confidentiality.
• Lead select HR initiatives across the plant and align with policies and goals.
• Ensure compliance with CBAs and EEO laws.
• Stay current with local, state, and federal employment laws.

Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Communication

Relationship Building

Organization & Prioritization

Problem Solving

Professionalism

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

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.

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.

Responsibilities

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 2 nd step grievance hearings, resolve issues appropriately, and support 3 rd 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.

Qualifications

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
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across all organizational levels
• Strong conflict resolution, problem-solving, and communication skills
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field
• 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.

About Us

Arconic Corporation is a leading provider of aluminum sheet, plate and extrusions, as well as innovative architectural products, that advance the automotive, aerospace, commercial transportation, industrial and building and construction markets. Building on more than a century of innovation, Arconic helps to transform the way we fly, drive, and build.

We live our core values and commit to delivering sustainable value to our customers, our employees, our communities and our stakeholders.

At Arconic, we:

• Act With Integrity : We lead with respect, honesty, transparency and accountability.
• Safeguard our Future : We protect and improve the health and safety of our employees, communities and environment.
• Grow Stronger Together : We cultivate an inclusive and diverse culture that advocates for equity.
• Earn Customer Loyalty : We build customer partnerships through best-in-class products and service.
• Drive Operational Excellence : We pursue continuous improvement through innovation, agility, people development and collaboration.
• Create Value : We achieve success by generating and growing value for our stakeholders.

Export Control Law

This position is subject to Export Control Law: This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R.

• 730, et seq.) and/or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Authorizations from the relevant government agency may be required to meet export control compliance requirements.

United States EEO Statement

Arconic Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

About The Team

Lafayette Operations in Lafayette, IN is located approximately 60 miles from the state's capital, Indianapolis and is the home to Purdue University. Our Lafayette location has been continuously running in Lafayette community since 1938. We are an Aluminum Extrusions plant for Aerospace, Automotive, Industrial and Defense facility.