HR Business Partner

A global leader in port operations and logistics is undergoing a major, multi-billion-dollar expansion at its high-volume terminal located in Elizabeth, NJ. This site is entering a transformative phase that will shape the future of one of the most critical logistics hubs in North America—making it an exciting time to join the team.

The organization is committed to safety, performance, and creating a workplace where people thrive. If you’re passionate about HR and want to make a meaningful impact in a complex, fast-paced, global environment, this role is an excellent fit.

Hybrid 4 days/week onsite in Elizabeth, NJ

As an HR Specialist, you will serve as a trusted advisor to terminal leadership, supporting performance, engagement, compliance, and development initiatives. You’ll help implement HR strategies locally, elevate the employee experience, and support teams during a period of significant growth and transformation.

What You Will Do — Key Responsibilities

• Partner with HR leadership on the execution of the People Strategy.
• Support development and implementation of departmental and company goals, policies, and procedures.
• Participate in HR process improvement and lean initiatives.
• Monitor workforce data (e.g., succession, DEI metrics) and recommend improvements.
• Serve as the first point of contact for employee relations issues, including harassment, wage & hour concerns, leaves of absence, injuries, onboarding, terminations, attendance, investigations, and disciplinary actions.
• Advise leaders on compliance and disciplinary actions.
• Conduct investigations and gather documentation, providing recommendations for next steps.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state labor laws, wage/hour regulations, postings, and related requirements.
• Build subject-matter expertise in employee relations and maintain a trusted, safe environment for employees.
• Coach managers on HR practices and employee-related issues.
• Build strong relationships with leaders and employees to support performance, engagement, and development.
• Facilitate training sessions, workshops, and HR presentations.
• Support company-wide harassment training and employee development initiatives.
• Lead local deployment of HR programs including compensation reviews, performance processes, and engagement surveys.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and retention initiatives.
• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition on employer branding and sourcing strategies.
• Manage mobility cases and ensure a seamless onboarding experience for international hires.
• Streamline onboarding processes and support early-career development programs.
• Conduct exit interviews and analyze trends to support organizational improvements.
• Assist managers with terminations, exit documentation, and offboarding procedures.
• Maintain accurate employee data in Workday and support reporting and audits.
• Perform regular audits to ensure data integrity.

What You Bring — Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field
• 2–4 years of experience in HR (generalist, business partner, or similar function)
• Knowledge of U.S. employment and compliance laws
• PHR/SHRM certification strongly preferred
• Strong Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, PivotTables, data analysis)
• Ability to work onsite 4 days per week