Senior Human Resources Business Associate – Cedar Rapids, IA

General Mills Operations, LLC.; Hiawatha (IA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

General Mills Cedar Rapids, IA Plant is seeking a Senior HR Business Associate (Sr. HRBA) to partner with cross-functional leaders, drive HR initiatives, and support attraction and retention in a 750+ employee manufacturing environment.

You will lead employee relations, workforce planning, and leadership development, while partnering with Recruiting, Diversity & Inclusion, and Change Management to build an intentional culture and sustainable performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial/Labor Relations, or related field required
• Minimum 2 years of relevant HR/employee relations experience required
• Experience leading and supporting strategic initiatives, influencing others, and driving results and significant change
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with a focus on attention to detail and accuracy - strong customer service focus
• Strong technical skills with proficiency in Microsoft based applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and SharePoint; with a willingness to learn and master other software programs as needed
• Ability to drive results in a highly ambiguous and constantly changing environment
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and critical thinking skills – ability to prepare and analyze HR reports, translate data into recommendations, and take appropriate action to achieve desired business results
• Ability to lead and manage projects independently

Responsibilities

• Partner with cross‑functional leaders to drive sustainable change through strong HR knowledge and change management expertise
• Partner with L&D, central HR support, and plant HR to develop strategies to recruit, onboard, and train new production and support team members
• Develop the capability of our plant operators through employee development, process improvement, and career development
• Lead key HR initiatives in support of the organization including positive employee relations, workforce planning, succession planning, and staffing
• Lead HR initiatives in partnership with Recruiting, Diversity & Inclusion, and Change Management
• Create a positive employee relations environment through leadership and close engagement and interaction with all employees across the site
• Be a Thought Leader- by understanding industry best practices, embracing and leading change, challenging the status quo, and providing innovative solutions
• Grow our Culture- through talent development, process improvement, and high employee engagement by connecting with employees
• Act as a Trusted Advisor– by coaching leaders at all levels of the organization with confidence and credibility
• HR Business Partner onboarding, training, and supporting our floor and operations team
• Partner with HR Manager and leadership in strategy development and execution

Skills

HR knowledge

Change management

Leadership development

Communication

Analytical skills

Project management

SharePoint

Education

Bachelor’s in HR or related field

Master’s in HR or MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

SharePoint

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one another and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next. OVERVIEW At General Mills, Human Resources is a strategic business partner, adding value through exceptional HR practices that enable our company to win and our employees to maximize their full potential. We drive winning results for the organization through building competitively superior talent, agile organizations, world class capabilities that unleash performance, and a distinctive and undeniable culture worldwide. We are driven to be the premiere HR organization in the world. We are seeking a Senior Human Resources Business Associate (Sr. HRBA) in our unionized Cedar Rapids, IA Plant, with 750+ employees. The Sr. HRBA position will support our Cereal (Cheerios and Lucky Charms), Frosting (Betty Crocker), and Fruit Snacks (Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, and Fruit by the Foot) Departments and will be relied upon to help develop and sustain an intentional positive culture for our plant. This will include building strategies for attraction and retention, driving effective leadership, and partnering with the business to deliver results. The Sr. HRBA will be a critical member of our Cedar Rapids team, helping to drive strategy and direction for the HR department and plant and setting the foundation for long‑term success.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Partnering with cross‑functional leaders to drive sustainable change through strong HR knowledge and change management expertise.
• Partner with L&D, central HR support, and plant HR to develop strategies to recruit, onboard, and train new production and support team members.
• Develop the capability of our plant operators through employee development, process improvement, and career development.
• Lead key HR initiatives in support of the organization including positive employee relations, workforce planning, succession planning, and staffing.
• Lead HR initiatives in partnership with Recruiting, Diversity & Inclusion, and Change Management.
• Create a positive employee relations environment through leadership and close engagement and interaction with all employees across the site.
• Be a Thought Leader- by understanding industry best practices, embracing and leading change, challenging the status quo, and providing innovative solutions.
• Grow our Culture- through talent development, process improvement, and high employee engagement by connecting with employees.
• Act as a Trusted Advisor– by coaching leaders at all levels of the organization with confidence and credibility.
• HR Business Partner onboarding, training, and supporting our floor and operations team.
• Partner with HR Manager and leadership in strategy development and execution.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial/Labor Relations, or related field required
• Minimum 2 years of relevant HR/employee relations experience required
• Experience leading and supporting strategic initiatives, influencing others, and driving results and significant change
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with a focus on attention to detail and accuracy - strong customer service focus
• Strong technical skills with proficiency in Microsoft based applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and SharePoint; with a willingness to learn and master other software programs as needed
• Ability to drive results in a highly ambiguous and constantly changing environment
• Strong analytical, quantitative, and critical thinking skills – ability to prepare and analyze HR reports, translate data into recommendations, and take appropriate action to achieve desired business results
• Ability to lead and manage projects independently

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s in Human Resources or Industrial/Labor Relations or MBA preferred
• Previous plant/manufacturing experience
• Labor relations experience preferred
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Energy and drive for project work

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

International relocation or international remote working arrangements will not be considered.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUEST

If you need to request an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please fill out our online accommodation request form by following this link: Accommodation Request.

SALARY RANGE

The salary range for this position is: $82,400 - $123,800 Annual

Beyond base salary, General Mills offers a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support and perks. Benefits may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors. You may also be eligible to participate in an annual incentive program. An incentive award, if any, depends on various factors, including, individual and organizational performance.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet a minimum 18-year age qualification.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (EOE)

General Mills is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or familial status, status regarding public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission.

NEW POSSIBILITIES

New possibilities. Bold thinking. Real heart. Build remarkable brands with remarkable people. At General Mills, we make food the world loves. Across 100+ markets, we come together to create, innovate and grow. Here, you’ll do meaningful work and help to lead the future of food at a company that stands for good.