Sr. HR Generalist

Vaco Recruiter Services; Vernon (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Career growth opportunities

Employee events

Job summary

Vaco Recruiter Services is assisting a client in Indianapolis, IN to hire a Senior HR Generalist. The role supports talent acquisition, payroll, benefits administration, employee relations, and compliance in a hands-on capacity.

The position requires on-site work and offers growth into HR leadership within a growing organization. The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of HR generalist experience, strong knowledge of employment laws, and the ability to manage multiple HR functions in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive HR experience preferred.
• Experience in a broad HR Generalist role is required.
• Experience managing multiple HR functions in a small or midsize company is preferred.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Experience with talent acquisition, onboarding, benefits, payroll, and compliance.
• Experience handling investigations and advising leadership.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate talent acquisition for warehouse, customer service, and branch roles.
• Process biweekly payroll and maintain compliant records.
• Manage benefit enrollment and open enrollment activities.
• Provide HR guidance to employees and leaders; handle investigations.
• Administer leave, workers’ compensation, and unemployment processes.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, COBRA, and FMLA requirements.
• Support performance management and employee development programs.
• Help improve HR processes and SOPs across locations.

Skills

Talent acquisition

Onboarding

Payroll processing

Benefits administration

Employee relations

Compliance

Workplace investigations

Performance management

HR policy development

Coaching & counseling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Fidelity NetBenefits

HRIS/payroll systems

OSHA knowledge

Job description

About the Opportunity

Our client, an established transportation and logistics organization, is seeking a hands‑on Senior HR Generalist to oversee a broad range of human resources activities. This role will support talent acquisition, payroll, benefits administration, employee relations, compliance, workers’ compensation, performance management, and employee development.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR professional who enjoys variety, wants visibility across an organization, and is interested in progressing into an HR management position. The Senior HR Generalist will serve as a key HR resource for employees and leaders while helping strengthen processes, programs, and standard operating procedures.

Location: This role is based on the east side of Indianapolis. It is 100% onsite.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Talent Acquisition and Onboarding

• Manage the talent acquisition process for warehouse, customer service, branch, and other non-driver positions.
• Update job descriptions, post open positions, source candidates, conduct phone screens, and coordinate interviews.
• Facilitate pre‑employment screening and new‑hire orientation.
• Oversee the 90‑day onboarding process.
• Partner with hiring leaders to understand staffing needs and improve the candidate and new‑hire experience.
• Coordinate initial and panel interviews as appropriate. [HR Generalist Notes | Word]

Payroll and Employee Administration

• Process biweekly payroll using NetSuite.
• Enter employee changes and maintain complete, compliant payroll records.
• Monitor and communicate relevant federal and state regulatory changes.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee documentation.
• Support PTO and related employee‑administration processes.

Benefits Administration

• Manage benefit enrollment for new hires and annual open enrollment.
• Coordinate documentation related to health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, 401(k), COBRA, and other employee programs.
• Respond to employee questions and help employees navigate available benefit resources.
• Support benefits and retirement administration through systems such as Fidelity NetBenefits.
• Review benefit offerings and make recommendations when appropriate.

Employee Relations and Investigations

• Provide practical HR guidance to employees and leaders.
• Manage employee complaints and conduct internal workplace investigations.
• Recommend appropriate corrective or disciplinary action based on the circumstances and company policies.
• Address matters involving the EEOC, Department of Labor, unemployment claims, and other employment‑related agencies.
• Work with legal counsel on employment matters when necessary.
• Maintain confidentiality when handling employee and company information.

Compliance, Leave, and Risk Management

• Maintain working knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal employment laws.
• Help ensure that employment practices, policies, records, and required postings remain compliant.
• Administer Family and Medical Leave Act documentation and related leave processes.
• Maintain OSHA logs and complete required annual reporting and postings for the corporate office and branch locations.
• Process workers’ compensation claims and monitor cases with the applicable insurance carrier.
• Coordinate workplace restrictions and light‑duty assignments.
• Process unemployment inquiries and represent the organization in adjudication hearings when appropriate.

Talent Management and Employee Programs

• Support performance‑management and succession‑planning activities.
• Coordinate employee engagement surveys.
• Support employee referral and recognition programs.
• Conduct exit interviews and identify relevant trends or improvement opportunities.
• Develop programs that contribute to employee wellness, inclusion, motivation, morale, and retention.
• Help train, coach, and motivate employees at multiple levels of the organization.

Process Improvement and Organizational Support

• Help create, document, and improve HR processes and standard operating procedures.
• Identify opportunities to streamline HR and benefits administration across multiple systems.
• Bring forward new ideas and practical recommendations to leadership.
• Collaborate with employees and leaders across company branches and operating departments.
• Gain exposure to warehouse operations, customer service, fleet services, equipment maintenance, and other areas of the business.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, general business, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least three years of progressive HR experience is preferred.
• Previous experience in a broad HR Generalist role is required.
• Experience independently managing multiple HR functions within a small or midsized organization is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Experience with talent acquisition, onboarding, benefits administration, employee relations, payroll, and compliance.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, COBRA, workers’ compensation, unemployment, and FMLA requirements.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and providing recommendations to leadership.
• Strong coaching, counseling, presentation, and employee-communication skills.
• Ability to analyze information and make sound, well‑supported decisions.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, time management, customer service, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential employee and company information.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and follow through on responsibilities.
• Willingness to work fully onsite in Indianapolis.

Transportation, logistics, distribution, warehouse, or other operational industry experience is helpful but not required. Candidates from other industries with relevant, broad-based HR experience may be considered.

Technology

Experience with the following systems or comparable platforms is beneficial:

• Applicant tracking system
• Fidelity NetBenefits or another retirement administration platform
• HRIS, payroll, PTO, and benefits‑administration systems
• Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Adobe applications

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a resourceful HR professional who can operate independently while building strong relationships throughout the organization. This position is well suited for someone who:

• Enjoys owning a broad range of HR responsibilities
• Is comfortable wearing multiple hats in a growing organization
• Can balance daily employee needs with longer‑term HR initiatives
• Communicates confidently with employees and company leaders
• Handles sensitive employee matters with discretion and sound judgment
• Brings practical ideas for improving processes and programs
• Is comfortable supporting office, warehouse, and branch environments
• Wants to grow into an HR leadership position
• Values quality, accountability, service, and continuous improvement

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance beginning the first day of the month following 60 days of employment
• 401(k) and profit‑sharing opportunities
• Paid time off
• Employee and family events
• Corporate philanthropy initiatives
• Professional growth and advancement opportunities

Specific plan terms, eligibility requirements, and coverage details will be reviewed during the hiring process.

By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.