Senior HR Generalist (Bilingual)

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

Job summary

ECHO Incorporated is hiring a Senior HR Generalist to support the manufacturing team. You will lead employee relations, coach supervisors, support hiring and onboarding, manage leave and attendance, and drive engagement and retention on the production floor. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, with manufacturing or hourly HR experience.

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

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field or equivalent experience.
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification required.
• 5-7+ years of progressive manufacturing HR experience with multiple functional areas.
• Experience mentoring or leading other HR staff.
• Experience supporting multi-state or multi-site employee population.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment law and ability to lead investigations.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead projects with minimal oversight.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact for complex employee relations issues and investigations.
• Coach and advise managers on performance management and difficult conversations.
• Partner with leadership on terminations and high-risk separations with legal input.
• Develop and communicate HR policies and the employee handbook.
• Lead compliance audits and respond to unemployment claims and audits.
• Partner on workforce planning, job architecture, and internal mobility.
• Support annual compensation planning and pay equity analysis with Total Rewards.
• Administer complex leave programs and escalate complex cases.
• Maintain HRIS data integrity and generate reporting for decisions.
• Contribute to cross-functional HR projects and manager training.

Skills

Employee relations

Coaching managers

HR policy development

HRIS data integrity

HR reporting & analytics

Training & development

Mentoring junior HR staff

Organizational design

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / related field

PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP

Tools

HRIS systems

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

• Hybrid
• Human Resources
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: SENIO002725

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 s upport 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.

Qualifications

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

• Professional HR

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.