Manager Associate Relations

Burlington; Edgewater Park Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Burlington is seeking an Associate Relations Manager to support NJ distribution centers and the corporate office, with occasional travel to Savannah, GA. The role focuses on leading investigations, managing employee relations matters, and delivering data-driven insights to strengthen trust and engagement.

You will coach leaders on performance, conduct, and policy application, while collaborating with HRBPs and COEs to drive enterprise improvements. Hybrid work is supported.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive human resources/associate relations experience with investigations.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and conduct investigations.
• Experience supporting large operational environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead workplace investigations for disputes, harassment, retaliation and escalated concerns.
• Oversee Open Door and STEPS programs across distribution centers.
• Maintain documentation in the case management system with accuracy and defensibility.
• Drive timely case closure and coordinate follow-up communications.
• Conduct interviews following AR and Legal guidance and ensure confidentiality.
• Partner with leaders to apply policy consistently and manage risk.
• Develop and deliver training on conflicts, investigations, and respectful workplace.
• Analyze case data to identify root causes and inform improvements.

Skills

5+ years HR/Associate Relations

Employment law knowledge

Investigations & case management

HR data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Labor Relations

Job description

Position Overview

The Associate Relations Manager (ARM) supports Burlington's Distribution Centers and Corporate Offices by cultivating a respectful, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace culture. This role leads the resolution of associate concerns reported through the Open Door program, STEPS (alternate dispute resolution), the Integrity Hotline, and HRBP escalations. The ARM conducts thorough investigations, manages risk, partners with leadership on performance and conduct matters, and delivers data driven insights that strengthen trust, engagement, and organizational effectiveness. The role also contributes to strategic initiatives that enhance consistency, compliance, and operational excellence across the enterprise. This is a hybrid position primarily supporting our NJ DCs, corporate office, and occasional travel to support our Savannah, GA DC.

A Day in the Life

Investigation & Case Management

• Lead investigations into workplace disputes, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and escalated concerns.
• Oversee Burlington's Open Door and STEPS programs for assigned distribution centers.
• Maintain meticulous documentation in the case management platform, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and defensibility.
• Drive timely case closure, proactively escalating barriers and ensuring follow‑up communication.
• Conduct investigative interviews using consistent protocols aligned with AR and Legal guidance.
• Preserve confidentiality, neutrality, and compliance with all AR guardrails.

Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws and Burlington policies.
• Partner with AR Director on high‑risk, complex, or sensitive matters to manage liability.
• Involve appropriate COEs when identifying gaps in policies and procedures. Develop revisions or new policies to address emerging risks. Collaborate with COEs to drive enterprise‑level improvements.
• Identify systemic risks through trend analysis and recommend preventive measures.

Leadership Coaching & Support

• Provide coaching to leaders on performance management, disciplinary actions, and workplace conduct.
• Partner(looks like a non-breaking space?) with HRBPs and leadership to ensure consistent application of policy and corrective action.
• Strengthen leader capability through real‑time guidance, structured feedback, and strategic recommendations.
• Facilitate regular touch base meetings with the AR Director to align on trends, risks, and priorities.

Training & Development

• Develop and deliver training on conflict resolution, respectful workplace, investigations, and communication skills.
• Lead AR onboarding for new leaders, ensuring materials reflect emerging trends and enterprise expectations.
• Support enterprise learning initiatives that enhance leader capability and AR visibility.

Culture & Engagement

• Promote a workplace culture grounded in trust, respect, and Burlington's Core Values.
• Partner with HR and Culture &Community Impact teams to ensure AR practices support an inclusive and equitable environment.
• Lead or support initiatives that strengthen associate engagement and reinforce Burlington's values.

Data & Insights

• Analyze case data, feedback, and trends to identify root causes and opportunities for improvement.
• Deliver actionable insights to HRBPs, leadership, and senior HR leaders through monthly reporting and executive‑level summaries.
• Benchmark AR metrics against industry standards to support continuous improvement.

Technology & Systems Optimization

• Support implementation and optimization of AR platforms to improve efficiency and data integrity.
• Ensure systems are leveraged to track, analyze, and report on AR metrics with accuracy and consistency.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partnerwith Talent, Compliance, Benefits, Asset Protection, and Operations to address root causes of associate concerns.
• Support enterprise initiatives that strengthen AR processes, consistency, and risk management.

You’ll Come With

• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources, Associate/Employee Relations, or related experience, including extensive experience conducting complex workplace investigations. Experience supporting distribution center, retail, logistics, or other large-scale operational environments preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, workplace investigations, interviewing techniques, conflict resolution, corrective action, and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage sensitive, high-risk, and complex associate/employee relations matters while balancing legal, operational, and associate considerations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare timely, thorough, and defensible investigative reports, case documentation, and executive summaries.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism when handling confidential