Senior HR Generalist

Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company in; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Watlow is seeking a Senior HR Generalist for the Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, MO. You will partner with site and regional leadership to deliver HR services, employee relations, compliance, and leadership development across the U.S. region.

You will support onboarding/offboarding, payroll, benefits, and compensation administration while driving engagement and continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Admin, or related field (or equivalent).
• 5+ years of HR experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Experience supporting engagement programs and leadership development for site leaders.
• Experience administering LOA programs (FMLA/ADA) and related compliance.

Responsibilities

• Align HR Strategy with business goals with site and regional leadership.
• Serve as the primary HR contact for team member inquiries and policy guidance.
• Coach site leadership on employee relations, performance management, and corrective actions.
• Enhance team member engagement and retention through programs and initiatives.
• Support payroll, benefits, and compensation administration and LOA management.
• Ensure compliance with laws and internal HR policies; conduct audits.
• Maintain HR data, reporting, and analytics to support leadership needs.
• Drive continuous improvement in HR operations and service delivery.

Skills

HR experience

Employee engagement

Leadership development

Leave of absence administration (FMLA/

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

HCM

Microsoft Office Suite

HRIS (Oracle)

Job description

Watlow is looking for a passionate and drivenSenior Human Resources Generalist to join our team at our Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, MO.

In this role, you will support HR service delivery across the U.S. region as part of a broader HR-Services team, while also serving as a dedicated HR partner for the Columbia Missouri site. You'll play a critical role in areas like team member engagement, employee relations, compliance, and leadership development.

In addition, you will support key HR processes such as onboarding, offboarding, payroll administration, and management of compensation and benefits programs. You'll work closely with site leadership to address team member relations and ensure compliance with HR policies and employment regulations.

If you are someone who thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on environment and enjoys making a meaningful impact every day, this could be the perfect role for you.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Align HR Strategy with Business Goals. Partner with site and regional leadership to align HR services and programs with operational objectives and drive business success.
• Serve as a Primary HR Contact. Act as the first point of contact for team member inquiries, resolving Tier I and II employee relations issues and providing policy guidance.
• Partner with Site Leadership on Employee Relations. Coach and advise plant supervisors and leadership on employee relations matters, performance management, and corrective action processes.
• Enhance Team Member Engagement and Retention. Support engagement programs and initiatives that promote a positive workplace culture and improve morale and retention.
• Support Payroll, Benefits, and Compensation Administration. Address team member questions and manage administrative processes related to payroll, benefits, compensation, and leaves of absence (LOA).
• Ensure Compliance with Laws and Policies. Monitor HR practices for compliance with employment laws and internal policies, conducting audits and managing any compliance issues that arise.
• Manage HR Data and Reporting. Maintain accurate HR records, team member data, and produce reports and metrics to support operational and leadership needs.
• Drive Continuous Improvement and HR Service Excellence. Identify and implement process improvements within HR operations to improve efficiency, service delivery, and team member satisfaction.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of HR experience, preferably in a manufacturing or production environment
• Experience supporting engagement programs and leadership development initiatives for site leaders.
• Hands-on experience administering leave of absence programs, including FMLA, ADA, and related compliance requirements

Desired Qualifications

• Employee relations experience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and collaborate across all levels of the organization
• Proficiency in HCM and Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail in a dynamic environment
• Proficiency with HR systems and tools; experience with Oracle or similar HRIS is a plus
• A proactive, team-oriented approach and a passion for supporting people and driving continuous improvement