WBC HR Generalist

Wawa, Inc.; Media (Delaware County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Wawa, Inc. is seeking an on-site HR Generalist to serve as a trusted partner for dairy production, transportation, and maintenance operations.

You will manage day-to-day HR duties, onboarding for both union and non-union employees, and talent development initiatives aligned with business needs. Responsibilities include coordinating training, certifications, workforce planning, and ensuring compliance with labor agreements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field preferred.
• 3–7 years of progressive HR experience, preferably in manufacturing, food production, or distribution environments.
• Experience supporting unionized workforces strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HR generalist practices, employment law, and labor relations.
• Experience with onboarding, training management, and talent development programs.

Responsibilities

• Build foundational HR, training, and certification infrastructure for a high-performing manufacturing environment.
• Onboard and train union and non-union employees, ensuring compliant associate experience.
• Partner with site leadership on talent development, workforce planning, and performance improvement.
• Maintain training records, certifications, and reports for audits and regulatory requirements.

Skills

HR generalist

Employee relations

Union experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Soar with us at Wawa. We believe we can make life a little better every day – one smile, hoagie, or experience at a time. And there’s one secret ingredient that truly sets Wawa apart: Our Associates. At Wawa, you’ll be part of a caring team that’s dedicated to helping all of us fly high – together. We’re team players, day-brighteners, and go-getters: and we know that Wawa is a place where we can build skills to thrive and open doors to new career opportunities. We’re proud to be a part of a winning team of Associate owners who shape our success. We’re committed to helping our communities and one another at every turn, because we know that when we fly together, there’s no limit to how far we can go.

Ready to be part of a team that helps you reach new heights? Join our flock and get ready to soar.

Job Description

Soar with us at Wawa. We believe we can make life a little better every day – one smile, hoagie, or experience at a time. And there’s one secret ingredient that truly sets Wawa apart: Our Associates. At Wawa, you’ll be part of a caring team that’s dedicated to helping all of us fly high – together. We’re team players, day-brighteners, and go-getters: and we know that Wawa is a place where we can build skills to thrive and open doors to new career opportunities. We’re proud to be a part of a winning team of Associate owners who shape our success. We’re committed to helping our communities and one another at every turn, because we know that when we fly together, there’s no limit to how far we can go. Ready to be part of a team that helps you reach new heights? Join our flock and get ready to soar.

Job Title: WBC HR Generalist

Location: Corporate

Department: People Team

Job Summary: The WBC HR Generalist serves as an on-site Human Resources trusted partner for dairy production, transportation, and maintenance operations. This role acts as a hands‑on HR generalist, providing day‑to‑day support across all HR disciplines while ensuring alignment with business objectives, labor requirements, and operational needs. This job plays a critical role in onboarding both union and non‑union employees, driving talent development initiatives, managing training and certification programs, and facilitating key cyclical HR processes.

Principal Duties

• Build the foundational HR, training, and certification infrastructure needed to support a high‑performing manufacturing environment, including the design and rollout of processes, tools, governance, and reporting mechanisms.
• Partner with site leadership to translate operational needs into sustainable people practices, including structured onboarding, workforce readiness, SOP‑based training, certification management, and frontline leadership support.
• Establish a repeatable training and certification framework that validates Associate capability, supports consistent execution of production standards, and creates clear accountability for ongoing skill development and recertification.
• Act as a hands‑on onsite HR generalist and process builder, balancing day‑to‑day Associate and leader support with the creation of scalable systems that improve compliance, engagement, retention, and operational stability.
• Interpret and apply HR policies, procedures, and labor agreements consistently and fairly.
• Partner with site leadership to identify talent gaps and support workforce planning efforts.
• Drive talent development initiatives, including career pathing, succession planning, and employee growth strategies.
• Lead end‑to‑end onboarding processes for both union and non‑union employees, ensuring a seamless and compliant associate experience as well as successful integration into the teams.
• Partner with operations and training teams to coordinate orientation, safety training, and job‑specific onboarding plans. Manage training programs across production, transportation, and maintenance functions.
• Manage and ensure compliance with required certifications (e.g., safety, DOT, equipment operation, food safety.)
• Partner with safety and quality teams to ensure alignment with regulatory and operational standards. Maintain accurate training records and reporting for audits and inspections.
• Partner with leaders to address performance issues and support corrective actions.
• Coach frontline leaders on employee development, engagement, and performance management best practices.
• Analyze HR metrics (turnover, absenteeism, training compliance, etc.) to identify trends and opportunities; provide insights and recommendations to site leadership.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance HR service delivery and employee experience.
• Facilitate implementation of leadership development programs within operations.
• Manage improvement initiatives or projects directly tied to employee relations/benefits/training and development.
• Facilitate core HR processes ensuring timely and accurate execution of all HR processes at the site level.
• Build strong working relationships with union representatives and promote a collaborative labor‑management environment. Foster a positive and inclusive work environment across union and non‑union populations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

• Ability to work well individually as well as in a team environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to work with little or no supervision
• Proven self‑starter with demonstrated ability to make decisions
• High professional standards confidentiality
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, operational environment with frontline employees
• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills with the ability to influence at all levels
• Excellent problem‑solving and conflict resolution capabilities
• High level of organization and attention to detail

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred
• 3–7 years of progressive HR experience, preferably in manufacturing, food production, or distribution environments
• Experience supporting unionized workforces strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of HR generalist practices, employment law, and labor relations
• Experience with onboarding, training management, and talent development programs
• On‑site role supporting a 24/7 dairy manufacturing facility, including production, transportation, and maintenance teams
• Regular presence on the plant floor required
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office

Wawa will provide reasonable accommodation to complete an application upon request, consistent with applicable law. If you require an accommodation, please contact our Associate Service Center at [e-mail].

Wawa, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Wawa maintains a work environment in which Associates are treated fairly and with respect and in which discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated. In accordance with federal, state and local laws, we recruit, hire, promote and evaluate all applicants and Associates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Unlawful discrimination will not be a factor in any employment decision.