Human Resources Generalist

North Country Dairy’s HR Generalist is responsible for supporting a broad range of human resources functions, including talent acquisition, employee relations, benefits administration, performance management, training and development, compliance, and labor relations. This position serves as a trusted business partner to managers and employees, promoting a positive, productive, and compliant work environment while ensuring adherence to applicable employment laws, collective bargaining agreements, company policies, and organizational values.

This is a full-time, on-site position that requires a consistent presence at the facility to provide direct support to employees and leadership, respond to workplace issues, conduct investigations, participate in labor relations activities, and maintain strong working relationships throughout the organization. The HR Generalist regularly works in both office and production environments and is expected to be accessible and engaged with the workforce.

The HR Generalist exercises sound judgment and maintains the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct in managing sensitive employee and organizational information. This role collaborates across all levels of the organization to support business objectives, foster employee engagement, resolve workplace issues, and contribute to the effective delivery of human resources programs and services.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Serve as a trusted resources for employees and supervisors regarding workplace concerns.
• Investigate employee complaints and workplace issues promptly and confidentially.
• Assist managers in resolving performance, attendance, and conduct issues.
• Prepare and/or review discipline documents in collaboration with Supervisors

Labor Relations

• Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
• Partner with management to ensure consistent application of labor contract provisions.
• Participate in grievance investigations and assist in grievance resolution.
• Support collective bargaining preparation by gathering data and conducting research.
• Maintain positive working relationships with union representatives.
• Assist with labor-management meetings and document discussions and outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, contractual obligations, and workplace regulations.
• Support disciplinary actions and investigations in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and organizational policies
• Monitor labor relations trends and recommend improvements to employee and union relationships.

Onboarding & Orientation

• Implement new hire orientation and onboarding programs.
• Educate newly hired employees on company policies, internal procedures, and regulations
• Conduct new hire orientation
• Assist employees with benefits enrollments

Records Management

• Maintain physical and digital employee files, including benefits and attendance records.
• Utilize UltiPro Time Labor Management Attendance System for record keeping.

Employee Inquiries & Engagement

• Handle employment-related inquiries from employees and supervisors.
• Escalate complex/sensitive matters to appropriate staff.
• Collaborate with NCD’s Employee Engagement Committee to continue to support employee engagement and retention initiatives.

Leave Administration & Compliance

• Assist with leave administration (e.g., FMLA) and EEOC reporting.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws/regulations.
• Regularly review and update policies to ensure best practices and regulatory adherence.

Talent Acquisition

• Interview and facilitate hiring of qualified candidates for open positions
• Collaborate with departmental managers to define required skills and competencies for each role.

Succession Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Support succession planning initiatives.
• Stay current with HR trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies.

Other duties

• Perform other duties as required to meet evolving business needs

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or a related field required.

Preferred Certifications

• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHRP

Experience

• 3-5 years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Experience with an HRIS System, preferably UKG/UltiPro
• Experience working in a unionized environment preferred
• Experience with grievance administration, labor relations, or collective bargaining support is highly desirable.

Skills

• Demonstrated strong leadership, interpersonal and coaching skills
• Ability to work effectively with all constituencies.
• Effective oral and written communication
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment, including Excel and database management.

Competency

• High level of confidentiality, maturity, integrity, and professionalism.
• Creative, motivated, and flexible
• Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Regularly walk through manufacturing and production areas to support employees, conduct investigations, observe work practices, and participate in meetings.
• Ability to climb stairs and navigate industrial work environments safely.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout office and production facilities as needed.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in both office and manufacturing settings.
• Visual ability to review documents, use computer equipment, and observe workplace activities.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate computers, office equipment, and standard communication devices.

Work Environment

• Position is based in both an office setting and a manufacturing/production environment.
• Regular exposure to production areas with varying temperatures, moving machinery, forklifts, and moderate to high noise levels; appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required when entering designated production areas.
• Frequent interaction with employees, supervisors, union representatives (if applicable), and leadership across all levels of the organization.
• Frequent flexibility to support multiple shifts, including occasional early morning, evening, weekend, or holiday work to address employee relations issues, investigations, labor matters, or operational needs.
• Occasional travel between company facilities, training locations, or off-site meetings may be required.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality while handling sensitive employee, labor relations, and organizational information.

Pay: $60,000 - $75,000 a year*

• The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.