Senior Labor Relations

Metalsa; Elizabethtown (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Metalsa is seeking a Senior Labor Relations Specialist to provide advanced labor relations support in a unionized Tier 1 automotive manufacturing facility. The role requires independent judgment, complex grievance handling, and collaboration with Plant Leadership to maintain a stable labor environment.

Key duties include interpreting and administering the CBA, leading grievance investigations, and supporting bargaining preparation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in HR or HR related field.
• PHR or SHRM CP Certification preferred.
• 2–4 years of experience in unionized manufacturing is required.
• Prior experience in unionized negotiations and CBA preferred.
• FMLA and medical leave administration experience required.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and foster productive working relationships with hourly, salaried, and union-represented employees.
• Serve as a primary resource for interpretation and administration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Lead the review, investigation, and resolution of grievances through all non-arbitration steps.
• Prepare grievance files, exhibits, timelines, and witness summaries for arbitration.
• Participate in collective bargaining preparation, including proposal development and issue analysis.
• Provide coaching and guidance to supervisors on just cause, progressive discipline, and contract compliance.
• Investigate employee relations matters and ensure fair, compliant outcomes.
• Analyze grievance, absenteeism, and turnover trends; develop action plans for labor stability.
• Ensure compliance with NLRB standards and applicable employment laws (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, OSHA).
• Support timekeeping, attendance, and payroll-related labor issue resolution.
• Maintain accurate labor relations documentation, reports, and metrics.

Skills

Labor relations

Grievance handling

Collective bargaining

Coaching supervisors

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred

Job description

Position Title Senior Labor Relations Specialist

The Senior Labor Relations Specialist is a mid-level professional responsible for providing advanced labor relations support in a unionized Tier 1 automotive manufacturing facility. This position requires increased independence, judgment, and accountability for complex grievance handling, labor risk mitigation, collective bargaining preparation and partners closely with Plant Leadership to support business objectives while maintaining a stable and compliant labor environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

• Maintain and foster productive working relationships with hourly, salaried, and union-represented employees
• Serve as a primary facility resource for interpretation and administration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
• Lead the review, investigation, and resolution of employee grievances through all non-arbitration steps
• Prepare grievance files, exhibits, timelines, and witness summaries to support arbitration proceedings
• Participate in collective bargaining preparation, including proposal development and issue analysis
• Provide coaching and guidance to supervisors on just cause, progressive discipline, and contract compliance
• Investigate employee relations matters and ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes
• Analyze grievance, absenteeism, and turnover trends; develop action plans to support labor stability
• Ensure compliance with NLRB standards and applicable federal and state employment laws (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, OSHA)
• Support timekeeping, attendance, and payroll-related labor issue resolution
• Maintain accurate labor relations documentation, reports, and metrics
• Perform additional duties as required to meet departmental and business needs

ACADEMICS AND EXPERIENCE CRITERIA

• Bachelor’s Degree in HR or HR related field
• PHR or SHRM CP Certification preferred
• 2-4 years of experience in unionized manufacturing required
• Prior experience sitting through unionized negotiations and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) preferred
• FMLA and Medical Leave Administration Experience required
• Knowledge of State and Federal laws required