Sr. Employee Relations Specialist

Taco, Inc.; Cranston (RI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries and benefits

Tuition reimbursement

On-site training programs

Profit sharing

Well-being focus

Community and growth

Job summary

Taco, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Employee Relations Specialist to advise on complex employee relations matters for the Cranston plant and warehouse operations.

This onsite role requires judgment, confidentiality, and professionalism while fostering trust and a positive employee experience. You will partner with HR leaders and business managers, conduct investigations, ensure policy compliance, and support organizational change initiatives in a large-volume manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Communications, Training or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in Employee Relations, HR, or related field.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated expertise in conflict & issue resolution and mediation.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Able to communicate effectively across diverse levels of employees.
• Able to balance employee voice with management and business requirements.
• Must be able to flex schedule to engage with employees on all shifts inclusive of attendance at bi-weekly and monthly meetings.
• Travel between facilities Cranston, RI and Fall River, MA facilities is likely.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary employee relations advisor for complex issues and guidance on policy interpretation, investigations, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Lead sensitive investigations, assess risks, document findings, and recommend actions.
• Partner with HR leadership and business leaders to identify and mitigate risks while supporting objectives.
• Support leadership to implement action plans that improve organizational effectiveness and employee experience.
• Coach leaders on best practices in communication, performance management, and policy application.

Skills

Conflict resolution

Emotional intelligence

Verbal communication

Written communication

Presentation skills

Relationship building

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Communications, Training or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

As a family-owned and operated company, we feel a special obligation to the employees who comprise our Taco family. We are committed to offering employees access to the tools necessary to live long and productive lives. We strive to instill in all of our employees:

• A positive mental attitude that helps us to be a leader in the industry
• A commitment to building strong relationships, both inside and outside the organization
• A desire to learn, grow, and contribute to moving our strategy forward
• A need to create and to innovate

Employment Type: Regular Full-Time

Shift: 1st Shift

Work Status: Onsite

Position Summary

The Sr. Employee Relations Specialist serves as the primary employee relations advisor and escalation resource for the Cranston plant and warehouse operations, providing senior-level guidance on complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, policy interpretation, performance management, conflict resolution, and organizational change initiatives. Working closely with employees, supervisors, managers, HR partners, and business leaders, this role assesses workplace concerns, identifies and mitigates risk, and ensures the fair, consistent, and legally compliant application of company policies and employment practices. The position requires a high degree of independent judgment, emotional intelligence, confidentiality, and professionalism while fostering trust, credibility, and a positive employee experience in a dynamic manufacturing environment. The Sr. Employee Relations Specialist demonstrates resilience and composure when navigating complex, high-pressure situations. They build trust and credibility with employees while maintaining objectivity, confidentiality and professional judgement in all interactions.

This is an onsite position supporting a large-volume manufacturing environment as well as office staff, with significant engagement on the plant floor in the Cranston facility and serving as a back-up to the employees at the Fall River facilities.

Measures of success:

• Complex employee relations matters are addressed promptly, documented thoroughly and resolved consistently with minimal organizational risk within established service-level expectations.
• 95% workplace investigations are completed objectively, professionally and within established guidelines.
• Supervisors, managers, and key stakeholders receive practical, consistent guidance that supports policy compliance and effective employee relations outcomes as measured by a decrease in recurring employee relations issues year over year.
• Policies and practices are applied consistently across supported facilities, as demonstrated through annual Employee Relations case reviews and disciplinary action analysis.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as the primary employee relations advisor for complex employee relations issues, providing consultation and guidance on workplace concerns, policy interpretation, employee relations matters, performance management, and conflict resolution.
• Lead complex and sensitive employee relations matters and workplace investigations, including employee complaints, misconduct allegations, performance concerns, and fair and equitable treatment issues; assess risks, conduct thorough fact-finding, document findings, and recommend appropriate actions and outcomes.
• Partner with HR leadership, business leaders, and senior management to identify, assess, and mitigate employee relations, compliance, and organizational risks while supporting business objectives and workforce effectiveness.
• Support HR leadership and business leaders to implement action plans that improve organizational effectiveness and employee experience.
• Influence outcomes without direct authority by driving stakeholder alignment, resolving roadblocks, facilitating difficult conversations, and promoting accountability for employee relations action plans, investigations, and corrective measures.
• Work with leaders to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, company policies, regulatory requirements, and workplace practices through consultation, coaching, and proactive risk identification.
• Analyze employee feedback, engagement data, exit interview trends, workforce metrics, and investigation outcomes to identify organizational themes, root causes, risks, and opportunities for improvement; develop actionable recommendations that enhance employee experience, retention, and leadership effectiveness.
• Develop and deliver reports, dashboards, presentations, and senior/executive-level communications that clearly summarize employee relations trends, investigation outcomes, emerging risks, recommendations, key decisions, and next steps.
• Lead or support cross-functional employee relations initiatives, projects, and change management efforts, coordinating stakeholders, driving alignment, and ensuring successful execution of objectives.
• Coach supervisors, managers, and business leaders on employee relations best practices, effective communication, performance management, conflict resolution, policy application, and leadership effectiveness.
• Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and belonging initiatives by fostering a respectful workplace culture and supporting leaders in creating an inclusive employee experience.
• Mentor and provide guidance to Employee Relations Specialists by sharing expertise, assisting with complex cases, supporting skill development, and promoting consistent employee relations practices.
• Maintain accurate employee relations case documentation, records, reports, communications, and systems in accordance with company policies and applicable legal requirements.
• Coordinate employee-facing communications and workforce messaging, including compliance postings, policy updates, and communication channels such as Taco Talk.
• Manage and support employee recognition and engagement activities/tasks that reinforce company culture, recognize employee contributions, and support retention efforts.
• Exercise a high degree of independent judgment, professionalism, confidentiality, and objectivity while balancing employee concerns, business needs, operational realities, and organizational risk.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Communications, Training or significant related experience in lieu of degree
• 8 + years of progressive experience in Employee Relations, Human Resources, Labor Relations or a related field, including direct consultation with employees and leaders in a manufacturing, operations or similarly complex environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Demonstrated expertise in conflict & issue resolution and mediation.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Able to communicate effectively across diverse levels of employees.
• Ability to build trusted relationships essential for success.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence in high stress situations.
• Able to balance employee voice with management and business requirements.
• Must be able to flex schedule to engage with employees on all shifts inclusive of attendance at bi- weekly and monthly early morning meetings and events.
• Travel between facilities Cranston, RI and Fall River, MA facilities is likely.

Preferred:

• Bilingual (Cambodian, Lao, Vietnamese, Spanish or Portuguese)
• Certification in Employee Relations, Diversity & Inclusion, or related area of study
• Certification in Human Resources (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP)

This position works primarily in an office environment using computers and technology. Verbal and auditory capabilities are required. Frequent daily exposure in production plant where large equipment and noise are prevalent. Safety gear is required in these areas.

Onsite – This position reports into the site every day.

Management:

This position has no direct reports.

With nearly 1,000 people working at Taco worldwide, each with their own story, you will discover a sense of community and diverse, intelligent colleagues who help us innovate, create and explore.

Taco employees benefit from a company that:

• Provides competitive salaries and benefits
• Offers tuition reimbursement, career development, and on-site training programs in our learning center
• Believes in sharing profits with its employees
• Is mindful about family, health and well-being
• Fosters conditions that allow people and communities to reach their full potential