Assistant Vice President, Human Resources

Position:Assistant Vice President, Human Resources
Location/Department: Richmond Headquarters/Human Resources
Status: Full-Time Salaried

Our Company
Universal is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Tobacco sourcing and processing has been the Company's principal focus since its founding in 1918. The largest portion of the Company's business involves procuring and processing flue-cured, burley, and dark air-cured leaf tobacco for manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. Over the past few years, Universal has expanded its business through a series of acquisitions to develop a plant-based ingredients business segment to support the food and beverage markets which will provide future growth opportunities for Universal. We are now a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers, that sources and processes leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. Through our plant-based ingredients platform, we provide a variety of value-added manufacturing processes to produce high-quality, specialty vegetable- and fruit-based ingredients as well as botanical extracts and flavorings for human and pet food end markets.

Universal conducts business in more than 30 countries on five continents and employs over 25,000 permanent and seasonal workers. Domestically, Universal employs over 1,000 permanent and seasonal workers, and its revenues ending March 31, 2023, were $2.6 billion.

For more information on Universal, visit our website at www.universalcorp.com

Summary
As an Assistant Vice President, Human Resources at Universal, you will oversee all activities and functions of the Human Resources Department and report to the Vice President, Human Resources. The incumbent performs complex professional and administrative work planning and implementing the company's overall Human Resources programs, policies, and strategic initiatives in support of the company's mission, vision, and values. The incumbent is directly responsible for providing leadership, management, and direction of functions including, but not limited to, recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, employee training and development, employee benefits, payroll and employee records, performance management, and employee relations. Functions ensure compliance with all personnel laws, regulations, and policies at the federal, state, and local levels.

What You'll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Responsible for a department of ten human resource professionals and three building services employees.
• Direct the company's Human Resources programs, ensuring they are running smoothly.
• Oversee the administration of various HR functions to include compensation, employee relations, recruitment and selection, grievance procedures, benefit administration, training, payroll, 401(k), pension and savings plan and health and welfare international programs.
• Collaborate with senior management when initiating policies, benefit changes, workforce changes, etc.
• Identify issues within the company and develop effective solutions.
• Ensure plan documents are up to date and receive Committee approval for changes when necessary.
• Responsible for annual benefit negotiation and overseeing the roll-out to each domestic subsidiary.
• Maintain organizational compliance with federal, state, and local laws pertaining to all Human Resources matters.
• Develop, implement, communicate, and interpret policies and procedures.
• Assist senior leaders, directors, supervisors, and employees on all Human Resources related matters and provide guidance to Human Resources professionals across the organization as needed.
• Handle employee relations issues. Conducts investigations and advises staff regarding complaints, performance issues, and disciplinary actions.
• Direct the administration of the position classification and compensation plans to ensure proper internal relationships as well as consistency with the local and regional labor market.
• Review and recommend personnel and compensatory changes.
• Oversee the delivery of supervisory and employee training and staff development.
• Maintain, coordinate, and monitor employee records and related documentation for employees and acts as legal custodian of those records.
• Oversee departmental annual budget.
• Research and maintain knowledge of current industry trends, reporting relevant information to the Vice President, Human Resources.
• Perform various analysis and research and special projects.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• Eight years of Human Resources experience with five years' experience in a management/supervisory role.
• Strong leadership qualities, strategic thinking abilities, and effective people management skills.
• Solid HR background and the ability to demonstrate problem-solving capabilities.
• Integrity - adherence to high ethical standards in HR practices, understanding employment laws and ensuring fairness, equity, and compliance.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Working knowledge of MS Office.

Preferred Skills

• MBA or master's in Human Resources.
• Human Resources Certification i.e., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR.
• Public company experience.
• Experience with ADP software.

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.