Sr. Human Resources Generalist

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.; Glen Ellyn (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous discount on WS brand products

401(k) plan

Paid vacations

Health benefits, dental and vision

Employee Assistance Programs

Volunteer time off

Holiday benefits

Job summary

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is hiring a Senior HR Generalist at our Olive Branch distribution center in Mississippi.

You will partner with operations leaders to support employee relations, policy interpretation, engagement, and compliance in a fast-paced environment. The role requires 4–6 years of HR experience, a bachelor's degree in HR or related field, strong investigations skills, and knowledge of employment laws.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or related field.
• 4–6 years of progressive HR experience in fast-paced environments.
• Strong employee relations experience with investigations and discretion.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Ability to partner with leaders and associates at all levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Partner with operations leaders to address employee relations and engagement.
• Maintain a visible floor presence and open-door engagement.
• Investigate employee relations issues and ensure compliance.
• Support onboarding, performance management, and communications initiatives.
• Ensure consistent application of policies across departments.
• Support workforce planning and retention efforts.
• Provide cross-site HR support with Arizona DC for alignment.
• Contribute to associate communications and newsletters.
• Manage unemployment claims, workers’ compensation, and LOA processes.
• Be flexible for second-shift and peak-period needs.

Skills

Employee relations

HR policies

Communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Bilingual

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources

Tools

HRIS systems

Microsoft Office

Leave management

Unemployment & workers’ comp

Job description

About Williams-Sonoma DC - Olive Branch, MS

Since it was founded in 1956, Williams - Sonoma has grown from Chuck Williams’ single store in Sonoma, CA into one of the largest retailers in the country, with some best known and most beloved brands in home furnishings, including Williams – Sonoma, Pottery Barn and West Elm.

Our Distribution Centers serve as vital connections between factories and our retail, online and mail-order customers around the world. The Supply Chain environment is dynamic and fast-paced, and the network is expanding rapidly. If you have a background in distribution, manufacturing, engineering, transportation, finance, human resources, or home delivery – and are looking for a job with a strong opportunity for gaining new skills and for advancement – our Supply Chain Organization could be just the place for you.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc Supply Chain Overview

By managing resources responsibly, caring for our people, and uniting around our values, we lead our industry and are proud to be recognized for our continuous action and progress in the following areas: Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies; Forbes Best Employers for Women and Diversity; Newsweek America's Most Responsible Companies; and USA Today Customer Service Champions. These honors reflect that we are truly a people-first organization.

• Over 4,000 Full-Time Associates across the Supply Chain
• 14.5M square feet of small parcel, personalization, furniture, and manufacturing space in the domestic US, Williams-Sonoma has developed an agile and capable distribution network consisting of the following:
  • Large package / furniture distribution centers located in Southern California, Northern California, Texas, Georgia, and New Jersey totaling 9.2M square feet plus another 1.2M square feet of standalone final-mile furniture hubs.
• Small package eCommerce distribution centers located in Mississippi and Arizona totaling 3.2M square feet, consisting of over 1,000 full-time associates and 1,500 seasonal/temporary associates in Mississippi
  • Sutter Street Manufacturing upholstery factories located in North Carolina and Mississippi totaling with over 1,400 full-time employees producing approximately $900 million to $1 billion in sales of upholstered furniture
• Transportation Department for Ocean, Air, Trucking, and Rail consisting of over 30 transportation professionals located in Memphis, TN
• 700 associates in our Sourcing offices in 10 countries in Asia and Europe including China, Vietnam, Singapore, India, Italy, and Turkey

The Senior HR Generalist partners closely with operations leaders and associates to support a positive, compliant, and engaging associate experience within a fast-paced supply chain environment. This role serves as a trusted HR partner on employee relations, policy interpretation, engagement, and compliance, while maintaining a strong floor presence and delivering practical, day-to-day HR support. The ideal candidate is highly visible, responsive, and able to balance associate advocacy with business needs.
The Sr. Human Resources Generalist position is located in Olive Branch, MS.
You'll be excited about this opportunity because you will....

• Partner daily with operations leaders and associates to address employee relations matters, provide HR guidance, and support a positive associate experience in a fast-paced distribution environment.
• Maintain a visible presence on the floor through regular walkthroughs and open-door engagement to proactively identify concerns, build trust, and drive associate engagement.
• Investigate, document, and resolve employee relations issues and HR compliance matters in a timely, fair, and consistent manner, ensuring compliance with employment laws and company policies.
• Support the execution of key HR programs and processes, including onboarding, performance management, employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and the Associate Opinion Survey (AOS), including follow-up action planning.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies, procedures, and employment practices across all functional areas and departments.
• Partner with leaders to support workforce planning, and retention efforts, including exit feedback surveys.
• Provide cross-site HR support in partnership with the HR Generalist at the Arizona Distribution Center to ensure alignment, consistency, and collaboration across locations.
• Contribute to associate communications by supporting monthly newsletters, engagement calendars, bulletin boards, and digital display content to promote awareness, engagement, and timely communication.
• Manage and support HR compliance-related processes, including employee relations documentation, unemployment claims, workers’ compensation reporting, and leave of absence administration.
• Demonstrate flexibility to meet business needs, including second-shift support and availability during peak operational periods, which may include holidays such as Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving.

Check out some of the required qualifications we are looking for in amazing candidates….

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least 4 - 6 years of progressive HR experience, preferably in distribution, manufacturing, logistics, retail, or other fast-paced operational environments.
• Strong employee relations experience with demonstrated ability to conduct investigations and manage sensitive workplace issues with sound judgment and discretion.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to build effective partnerships with leaders and associates at all levels of the organization.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to deliver clear, practical guidance.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

We prefer some of these qualities as well….

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HRIS systems; Experience with leave management, workers’ compensation, and unemployment processes preferred.
• Bilingual skills are a plus

Review these physical requirements, as they play a major part in this role….

• Must be able to walk, stand, bend.
• Sit for a long period of time.
• Able to use computer for an extended period of time.

Our company benefits are second to none in the industry….

• Generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brand products
• 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, Employee Assistance Programs, Time Off to Volunteer, Matching Gifts Community Service Program, and Holidays (in some locations)
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits, Legal and Identity Protection Plans and Pet Insurance
• For more information on our benefits offers, please visit MyWSIBenefits.com
• To learn more about our Supply Chain culture and regional associate events, please visit https://shorturl.at/R3OAX (Login credentials may be required)

EOE