Labor Relations Specialist II

Where you will work

The Augusta mill sits along the Savannah River, on the state border between Georgia and South Carolina and manufactures light, medium, and heavy weight coated paperboard. It is a well-invested SBS paperboard manufacturing facility with approximately 600 thousand tons of capacity.  This facility boasts over 700 employees and has been in operation for almost 65 years.  Located on 3,000 acres, the Augusta site operates two paper machines that produce 1,940 tons per day.  The Augusta Mill is Clearwater Paper’s largest paperboard facility and critical to the success of our strategy and future.

Augusta, Georgia is a vibrant community along the Georgia/South Carolina border about 150 miles east of Atlanta and 70 miles west of Columbia.  Augusta offers a variety of experiences – something for everyone!  The area offers historical attractions, recreational activities, music, family festivals, and other unforgettable experiences for fun with a hometown feel.  Downtown Augusta is home to many of Augusta’s most popular attractions, locally owned restaurants, and nightlife. From March through November, the Augusta Market brings local and regional tastemakers and artisans of all kinds to the 8th Street entrance to the Riverwalk.  The Masters Tournament has placed Augusta on a world stage, confirming its well-earned reputation for tradition, hospitality, and heritage.  Students from around the country call Augusta home thanks to Augusta University, Georgia Military College, Paine College, University of South Carolina Aiken and many technical and educational institutes around Augusta’s River Region.  Augusta’s warm year-round climate provides several opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure.

What you will do

The Labor Relations Specialist assists in the administration and implementation of Clearwater Paper’s unionized labor relations programs, policies, and procedures. This position supports the Senior Director Labor Relations by maintaining a working knowledge of labor agreements and by representing the organization in labor relations activities including negotiating, interpreting, and administering collective bargaining agreements.

Labor Relations  

• Assist in negotiating, interpreting, and administering collective bargaining agreements across the organization
• Maintain working knowledge of all union agreements and monitor for compliance with National Labor Relations Act and other applicable laws
• Investigate unfair labor practices, facilitate and administer the bargaining process, mediate workplace conflict, and prepare disciplinary actions, grievances, and arbitration
• Represent the organization in contract negotiations, grievances, and arbitrations as needed
• Build and maintain relations with labor unions and union leadership
• Serve as a trusted advisor to HR and business leaders to resolve business problems through broad and up-to-date knowledge of Labor Relations and Human Resources competencies
• Coach HR and operational leadership teams to develop and implement employee positive employee relations strategies consistent with Clearwater Paper Values; comply with legal requirements (CBA) where applicable while fostering a climate of employee engagement across multiple sites   
• Drive culture of diversity and inclusion 
• Monitor and stay abreast of employment and employee relations trends and practices. Advise leadership on emerging HR and Labor trends and partner with the local leadership team to support the strategic direction
• Administrative support including reports, analysis, and presentation development

Key Competencies & Attributes   

• Demonstrated ability to lead in a matrixed and highly collaborative environment to influence change and core processes 
• Confidence in dealing with ambiguity; bringing different perspectives to light and rallying others to aligned goals and objectives  
• High degree of business curiosity; quick learner with a proactive and agile mindset 
• Optimistically look toward future for opportunities to innovate and improve 
• Self-motivated with a strong ability and confidence to operate with autonomy, gaining and keeping organization stakeholder alignment  
• Ability to gather data, analyze and interpret data, and set action plans based on the analysis (i.e Turnover root cause analysis)  
• Understanding of change management and ability apply change management concepts and tools 
• Ability to manage projects and interface directly with multiple stakeholders  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate at all levels  
• Demonstrated ability to understand the organizational impact in decision making; see the big picture and distil it into action plans  
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Able to think strategically and act tactically; hands on

What you will need:  

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s Degree preferred 
• 3 years of increasing experience and accountabilities within a manufacturing environment- multi site or complex site strongly preferred 
• Union manufacturing experience support preferred 
• SHRM- CP/SCP preferred but not required 
• Continuous Improvement certification (Six Sigma) preferred but not required 
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of people, mediate, persuade, and influence managers at all levels  
• Must have a solid understanding of the business and the environment they operate in
• Demonstrated understanding of employment and labor law
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with all levels of employees
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Intermediate skill level in the use of MS Office: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint
• Able to think strategically and act tactically
• Demonstrated change management skills  

Total Rewards Detail

We prioritize an exceptional workplace experience, offering a comprehensive total reward package. Compensation ranges are estimates based on market data.  Actual offers account for internal equity and the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and more, generally begin after 30 days. Our paid time off includes vacation days, personal days, and company holidays. For more on our compensation philosophy, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at Talent.Acquisition@clearwaterpaper.com. 

Clearwater Paper does not offer sponsorship for employment-based visa status (including, but not limited to, H-1B visa status and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas) for this position.  Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and will not require Clearwater Paper's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

This role will be open for a minimum of 2 weeks or at the point a successful candidate is selected.