Sr Manager, Employee Relations

KeHE Distributors; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 97,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision

Dental

FSA/HSA

ESOP

401(k)

Paid time off

Paid sick time

Disability insurance

Holiday pay

Job summary

KeHE Distributors is seeking a Senior Manager of Employee Relations to lead a team that resolves complex employee relations issues across California operations. The role will interpret policies, manage investigations, and standardize processes while balancing employee experience and risk.

The position focuses on centralizing the Employee Relations Center of Excellence, driving scalable practices enterprise-wide, and partnering with Legal on high-risk matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Labor Relations or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive HR or Employee Relations experience.
• 5+ years leading complex employee relations matters and workplace investigations.
• Experience supporting employee relations in both union and non-union environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex employee relations investigations with thorough documentation.
• Provide guidance on policy interpretation and labor agreements.
• Develop and centralize Employee Relations operating model and processes.
• Coach leaders and HR partners on risk-aware decision making.
• Partner with Legal on high-risk employee relations matters.

Skills

Employee relations

Investigation skills

Leadership

Conflict resolution

Policy interpretation

Excel (Pivot/VLOOKUP)

Communication

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

8+ years HR/Employee Relations experience

SHRM-SCP/SPHR preferred

Tools

HR case management software

Job description

• Pay Range: $97,350.00/Yr. - $142,659.00/Yr.
• Shift Days: , Shift Time:
• Benefits on Day 1
• Health/Rx
• Vision
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company designated holidays

Why Work for KeHE?

• Full-time
• Pay Range: $97,350.00/Yr. - $142,659.00/Yr.
• Shift Days: , Shift Time:
• Benefits on Day 1
• Health/Rx
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible and health spending accounts (FSA/HSA)
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Short term & long term disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• Employee stock ownership (ESOP)
• Holiday pay for company designated holidays

Overview

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others - and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

Primary Responsibilities

POSITION PURPOSE

The Senior Manager of Employee Relations builds and leads a team resolving complex employee relations issues, serving as the lead subject matter expert for California operations across union and non-union environments. This role oversees consultations, investigations, case management, and process standardization, while working to centralize the employee relations model. Working closely with internal teams, this role interprets policies and labor agreements, conducts investigations, and recommends proactive solutions to mitigate risk and support a positive workplace culture. Additionally, the role acts as a key thought partner in building a centralized Employee Relations Center of Excellence, driving scalable practices enterprise-wide. Success requires sound judgment, business acumen, and a practical approach to balancing organizational goals, employee experience, and risk. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Essential Functions

DUTIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Employee Relations Leadership & Program Development

• Serve as a trusted advisor to HR and business leaders on complex employee relations matters, interpreting company policies, employment practices, and California employment law to balance employee experience, compliance, and business objectives.
• Serve as a key employee relations resource for union and non-union operations, providing guidance on collective bargaining agreement interpretation, grievance management, disciplinary actions, investigations, and workplace concerns.
• Partner with the HR Director to implement the employee relations operating model and centralized service delivery approach, supporting the ongoing development of a centralized Employee Relations Center of Excellence through process design, documentation, and standardization.
• Establish and maintain case management, triage, and escalation protocols.
• Analyze case trends and emerging workforce risks to develop recommendations for employee relations programs, processes, and proactive risk mitigation strategies that reduce organizational exposure.

Employee Relations Operations and Centralization

• Lead implementation of California employee relations operations within the centralized ER model, developing and maintaining intake, triage, escalation, investigation, and case management processes.
• Consult and coach leaders and HR partners on employee relations issues, performance management, disciplinary actions, separations, documentation, and risk-conscious decision making.
• Lead and oversee complex and sensitive workplace investigations involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace misconduct, accommodation concerns, and policy violations, ensuring investigations are conducted promptly, objectively, and consistently, with thorough case documentation and records.
• Analyze employee relations trends and workforce insights to identify emerging themes, root causes, and opportunities for proactive intervention.
• Evaluate employee relations matters for potential labor relations implications and recommend courses of action consistent with company policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable employment laws.
• Partner with Legal on high-risk employee relations matters, claims, agency charges, and litigation support.
• Champion continuous improvement of employee relations programs, tools, resources, and service delivery models, and develop and deliver training for HR partners and leaders on employee relations practices, investigations, documentation, and compliance requirements.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Deep knowledge of California employment laws and employee relations best practices.
• Demonstrated experience influencing leaders and driving outcomes across a multi-site organization.
• Strong investigation, conflict resolution, interviewing, and documentation skills.
• Proficient in MS Excel (e.g. pivot tables and vlookups, etc.)
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work successfully under pressure and handle multiple highly sensitive issues and competing priorities.
• Ability to manage and lead a team to resolve employee relations issues.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive HR or Employee Relations experience.
• 5+ years leading complex employee relations matters and workplace investigations.
• Experience supporting employee relations in both union and non-union environments.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or equivalent certification preferred.
• Experience with labor relations in distribution, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, or other operational workforce environments, including interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements and supporting grievance investigations, disciplinary matters, and labor-management discussions, is preferred.
• Experience implementing employee relations programs, processes, or shared service/support models, and utilizing employee relations case management systems, reporting tools, and workforce analytics, is preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Requisition ID

2026-29920

Equal Employer Opportunity Statement

KeHE Distributors provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or faith, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training as well as the administration of all Human Resources and Talent Acquisition processes.