Senior HR Generalist (Bilingual)

Echo Incorporated; Lake Zurich (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ECHO Incorporated is seeking a Senior HR Generalist to support our manufacturing team. You will lead employee relations, coach supervisors, manage leave and attendance, and drive engagement on the production floor.

This role requires manufacturing or hourly HR experience and bilingual English/Spanish. Based in the United States, you will partner with plant leadership on workforce planning, compliance with federal/state/local employment laws, and data reporting in HRIS to inform business

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field.
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification.
• 5–7+ years of progressive manufacturing HR experience.
• Mentoring or leading other HR staff.
• Experience supporting multi-state or multi-site populations.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment law.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead projects with minimal oversight.
• Proficiency with HRIS and MS Office/Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for complex employee relations issues, including investigations.
• Coach and advise managers on performance, corrective action, and difficult conversations.
• Partner on terminations and workforce reductions with legal counsel.
• Develop and communicate HR policies and employee handbook in compliance with laws.
• Lead compliance audits and respond to unemployment claims and audits.
• Collaborate with plant leadership on workforce planning and internal mobility.
• Support annual compensation planning and pay equity analysis.
• Administer and troubleshoot complex leave programs (FMLA, ADA, state leave).
• Maintain HRIS data integrity and generate reporting for decisions.
• Design training on policy, compliance topics, and people-management best practices.
• Mentor junior HR staff and review their work.
• Partner with HR leadership on organizational design and culture.

Skills

Employee relations

Coaching supervisors

Leave management

Engagement & retention

Bilingual English/Spanish

HR reporting

HRIS

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR

PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP

Tools

HRIS systems

MS Office / Google Workspace

Job description

ECHO Incorporated is an industry leader in developing and manufacturing high-performance, professional-grade, handheld outdoor power equipment. With distributors and thousands of dealers across North and South America, ECHO is constantly anticipating the future of the outdoor power equipment industry and the need for environmental sustainability. Working for ECHO means joining a team of people who are committed to collaboration, innovation, creativity, and high-quality products that make us a globally competitive brand.

We are hiring a Senior HR Generalist to support our manufacturing team. You'll lead employee relations, coach supervisors, support hiring and onboarding, manage leave and attendance, and drive engagement and retention on the production floor. Manufacturing or hourly HR experience required; bilingual (English/Spanish) required.

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 based on experience and qualifications.

Duties/Responsibilities in English and Spanish:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for complex, sensitive, or escalated employee relations issues, including conducting independent investigations and recommending resolutions.
• Coach and advise managers on performance management, corrective action, and difficult conversations, ensuring consistency and legal defensibility.
• Partner with leadership on terminations, reductions in force, and other high-risk separations, coordinating with legal counsel as needed.
• Own the review, development, and communication of HR policies and the employee handbook, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and local employment law (FLSA, ADA, FMLA, Title VII, and similar).
• Lead or support compliance audits, EEO-1 and other required filings, and responses to unemployment claims, agency charges, or audits.
• Partner with Sr. HR Plant Manager and hiring managers on workforce planning, job architecture, and internal mobility.
• Partner with Total Rewards Manager to support annual compensation planning, job leveling, and pay equity analysis.
• Administer and troubleshoot complex leave programs (FMLA, ADA accommodations, state leave) and serve as the escalation point for complex cases.
• Maintain data integrity within the HRIS and generate reporting and analytics to inform HR and business decisions.
• Partner on cross-functional HR projects such as engagement surveys, recognition programs, or process automation.
• Design and deliver training for managers and employees on HR policy, compliance topics, and people-management best practices.
• Mentor and provide guidance to other junior HR team members; may review or approve their work.
• Act as a thought partner to HR leadership on organizational design, culture, and change management initiatives.

Work Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification.
• 5–7+ years of progressive manufacturing HR experience, including demonstrated ownership of multiple functional areas (employee relations, compliance, talent, compensation/benefits, or HRIS).
• Prior experience mentoring or informally leading other HR staff.
• Experience supporting a multi-state or multi-site employee population.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment law and demonstrated experience leading investigations independently.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust with employees at all levels, including senior leaders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and lead projects with minimal oversight.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace; strong data and reporting skills.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants.

E-Verification:

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.