Associate HR Business Partner

What does it mean to be a part of our HR Operations team?

While providing on-site support for our 50 distribution centers, our HR Operations team ensures effective execution of human resources strategies in areas such as Talent Development, Workforce Planning, Talent Selection, Engagement, Recognition, Performance Management, Organizational Development, Training, Associate Relations, Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Risk Safety, Labor Relations, Sustainability, and Philanthropy. In addition, this team plays a pivotal role in our current transformation journey. They are instrumental in helping to develop and retain the right talent, who are fully engaged with this strategy, as well as embodying a true “people first” mindset to help drive UNFI’s company culture of collaboration and engagement.

Purpose:

The Associate Human Resources Business Partner is responsible for executing action items that support key projects and key initiatives within the facility/group, in partnership with their HR Manager or Director. The Associate Human Resources Business Partner is responsible for the effective execution of human resources strategies in areas such as Talent Development, Workforce Planning, Talent Selection, Engagement, Recognition, Performance Management, Organizational Development, Training, Associate Relations, Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Risk Safety, Labor relations, Sustainability, and Philanthropy.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Business Partnership

• Builds effective working relationships with business leaders.
• Focuses on growing business acumen in order to better understand business needs.
• Partners with supervisor to develop coaching skills and techniques.
• Provides coaching to individual contributors, with the goal of making others successful.
• Participates and collaborates in supervisor, management, and staff meetings.
• Identify training needs in their DC through collaboration with other departments.
• Suggests new HR strategies.

Talent & Onboarding

• Responsible for working with the HR team to execute the workforce and talent agenda that attracts the right people in a competitive market and drives enterprise productivity, in partnership with Talent Acquisition.
• Implements effective onboarding plans for the successful assimilation of new hires.
• Conducts new hire orientation, as assigned, and ensures that associates are well informed of HRbenefits, policies, and programs.
• Deliver training programs, as assigned.

Engagement & Associate Relations

• Responsible for being a steward of the company culture.
• Ensures that associate questions are promptly and courteously resolved.
• Implements associate engagement events and activities, as assigned.
• Addresses associate concerns with open communication techniques.
• Communicates with associates in a timely and courteous manner.
• Handles basic employment relations issues, including reviewing recommendations with HR Director, HR Manager, or Sr. HR Business Partner and escalating, as appropriate. Execution of HR Activities and Programs.
• Applies and builds effective working relationships with the HR team.
• Complete personnel actions, including partnering with Total Rewards or HR Shared Services to obtain recommendations and approvals, ensuring the transaction is appropriately processed, and that associate data is accurate.
• Supports peer networks across the company.
• Executes tactics to support core annual programs.
• Executes tactics to support local/department-level programs for areas such as workforce planning, engagement, recognition, training, wellness, and labor relations.
• Possesses knowledge of HR policies and procedures as well as federal, state/provincial, and local laws.
• Executes human resources tactics, including talent development, promotions, employee relations, terminations, exit interviews, recordkeeping, etc. in accordance with Company procedures and applicable legal requirements.
• Implements Affirmative Action Plan and goals, where applicable.
• Leverages the network for learning when encountering a new challenge.
• Manages personal development following changes to the company, business, and/or HR.
• Maintains and updates HRIS records and associate files. Ensures associate files are complete and compliant.
• Manages and tracks leaves of absence.
• Maintains high level of confidentiality with consistency.
• Best practices and participates in collaboration within the region/group, and nationally on all HR programs.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field preferred
• PHR/SPHR/CHRL/CPHR Certification preferred

Experience:

• 1 years of HR experience, or related field required

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of Federal, state/provincial and local employment laws.
• Basic understanding of talent acquisition techniques, including recruitment, interviewing skills, and selection.
• Basic understanding of compensation and benefit policies and programs, employee relations practices.

Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Analytical skills.
• Action Oriented.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Good judgment is required for this position as there may be times when direct supervision may not be immediately available.

Competencies:

• Communicating Effectively.
• Demonstrating Initiative.
• Displaying Confidence and Composure.
• Assessing and Understanding People.
• Delivering High Quality Work.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/ DEMANDS:

• Some travel may be required (up to 10%).
• Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.
• Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at the desk or computer terminal.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment during the normal workday.
• Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.