Human Resources Generalist

Position: Human Resources Generalist

Location/Department: Lancaster, PA/Administration Lancaster

Status: Full-Time

Reports To: Human Resources Generalist III

Our Company

The Global Leader in Premium Leaf Tobacco Supply

Universal Leaf Tobacco Company is the world’s leading supplier of premium leaf tobacco, with over 100 years of experience sourcing, processing, and delivering tobacco crops tailored to customer specifications. With operations spanning major tobacco-regions across five continents, we connect hundreds of thousands of farmers to global manufacturers through a reliable, transparent, and traceable supply chain.

Our portfolio includes flue-cured, burley, oriental, and dark tobaccos, supported by deep agronomic expertise and advanced processing capabilities. Beyond the leaf, we offer value-added services such as customized blending, next-generation nicotine solutions, recycled by-products, and digital traceability tools that enhance efficiency and sustainability across the supply chain.

Universal Leaf Tobacco is more than a supplier – we are a long-term partner committed to responsible sourcing, farmer support, and continuous innovation. By investing in agricultural communities and upholding the highest standards of quality and compliance, we help ensure a resilient tobacco supply for generations to come.

Summary

As a Human Resources Generalist at Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company (a subsidiary of Universal Corporation), you will support day-to-day HR and payroll operations for hourly employees, including processing weekly payroll, administering time and attendance, managing pay changes, and ensuring accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness. You will serve as a primary resource for employee relations by conducting investigations, disciplinary meetings, and terminations, while also administering leave of absence programs, supporting benefits enrollment, and managing workers’ compensation claims.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Process weekly payroll for hourly employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with payroll regulations.
• Support payroll audits and resolve discrepancies as needed.
• Review and process hourly pay changes related to promotions, transfers, and annual increases.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for time and attendance, including tracking, reconciliation, and corrective actions.
• Conduct employee investigations, disciplinary meetings, and terminations in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Administer and maintain leave of absence programs; including FMLA and Personal time.
• Support benefits administration; assisting new hires with enrollments and supporting the broader HR team during open enrollment. Managing hourly benefit questions and answering/redirecting as appropriate.
• Manage hourly worker’s compensation claims, including data collection and liaising with claim representatives
• Provide documentation and support for internal and external audits and support SOX compliance requirements.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• 1-3 years of HR or payroll experience (or relevant coursework, internship, or externship).
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Experience working with HRIS systems.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel and Word).
• Ability to work independently with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong organizational, time management, communication (oral and written), and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience using ADP Workforce Now and Workforce Manager for payroll processing
• PHR/SHRM-CP certification.
• Pennsylvania specific payroll experience
• Experience managing unemployment claims and functional knowledge of PA unemployment law.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania workers‘ compensation regulations.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of market-competitive total rewards that include 401(k) match, pension, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, short and long-term disability benefits, and tuition assistance to name a few.

EOE M/F/Disabled/Vet Employer

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.