Manager, HR & Health and Safety Business Partner

The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a dairy farmer owned cooperative and dairy processor. Founded in 1916, the MMPA serves dairy farmers in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Quality milk and dairy products begin on the farm and continue through every step at Superior Dairy. Michigan Milk Producers Association’s family dairy farmers take pride in producing wholesome, nutritious milk with care and integrity. That commitment to quality carries forward as member milk is bottled and processed at Superior Dairy, MMPA’s wholly owned subsidiary in Canton, Ohio. Founded in 1922, Superior Dairy honors its Great Lakes heritage while delivering trusted dairy products to customers in 44 states. 

 Why you’ll love working here:

• Competitive salary
• Health and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health benefits
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement including 401k with employer contributions
• Personal and professional growth opportunities
• Employee appreciation events and recognition awards
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Employee feedback and suggestion forums 

 Position Summary:
The Manager, HR & Health and Safety Business Partner is a strategic leader responsible for supporting operational success through effective people practices and a strong safety culture, with a primary focus on hourly employees. This role partners closely with operations leadership to ensure a safe, compliant, and engaged workforce while leading core HR generalist functions. The position also drives continuous improvement across HR and safety processes to enhance efficiency, consistency, and the employee experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as a key partner to operations leadership, providing guidance on workforce planning, employee relations, and workforce engagement for hourly employees
• Build strong relationships with frontline leaders and employees to understand operational challenges and identify practical HR and safety solutions
• Provide coaching and support to supervisors on handling employee issues, attendance, and day-to-day workforce management
• Act as a visible and accessible resource on the floor, supporting a positive and productive work environment

HR Leadership & Generalist Oversight

• Lead and oversee HR generalist activities with a focus on hourly workforce needs, including employee relations, investigations, and policy administration
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies for hourly employees
• Ensure consistent application of policies, procedures, and labor laws
• Partner with operations to address attendance, scheduling, and workforce stability challenges
• Monitor HR trends (turnover, absenteeism, etc.) and implement practical solutions to improve workforce outcomes

Health & Safety Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of site safety initiatives in partnership with operations
• Promote a strong safety culture with a focus on frontline engagement and accountability
• Oversee incident investigations, ensuring timely response, root cause analysis, and corrective actions
• Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations and internal standards
• Conduct regular safety audits, training, and floor presence to reinforce safe work practices

 Continuous Improvement & Process Excellence

• Identify and lead improvements in HR and safety processes to better support hourly operations
• Simplify and standardize procedures to improve usability and consistency at the frontline level
• Use data and employee feedback to drive practical, sustainable improvements
• Support change initiatives that impact the hourly workforce, ensuring clear communication and adoption
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and accountability

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Occupational Health & Safety, or related field
• 5–10 years of progressive HR experience, preferably supporting hourly or frontline workforces
• Demonstrated experience in employee relations and health & safety within an operations, manufacturing, or similar environment
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and health & safety regulations
• Proven ability to build trust and influence leaders and employees at all levels
• Experience working in fast-paced, high-volume environments preferred

Key Competencies:

• Strong operational and business partnership mindset
• Relationship building with frontline employees and leaders
• Practical problem solving and decision making
• Conflict resolution and employee relations expertise
• Change leadership and adaptability
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Commitment to safety, compliance, and employee well-being

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the responsibilities. 

 This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of responsibilities that are required of the role. Responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

 MMPA provides the opportunity for meaningful work that makes a difference in the dairy industry and in our communities. The diverse talents and perspectives of our employees help us to meet the needs of our member farms and the customers we serve.

 We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. 

 MMPA is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and productive environment for all employees as one of our top priorities. As part of our commitment to your well-being and workplace safety, all applicants are required to undergo a drug screening and background check as part of the hiring process. 

 We are not accepting unsolicited candidate introductions, referrals, or résumés from third-party recruiters or staffing agencies for this position.

 MMPA is an equal opportunity employer. 

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