Employee Experience Manager - Labor Relations

The team you will be a part of

The Employee Experience team develops implements, maintains, administers and communicates the organization's Employee Assistance Programs. Investigates, evaluates and recommends the use of specific outside treatment and counseling facilities. Develops and conducts training and educational seminars for employees and management.

May counsel employees on the treatment and resolution of issues affecting job-related or personal problems. Responsible for various Union Negotiations (Collective Bargaining Agreement), elaboration and analysis of labor contracts, evaluation of legal issues, mapping of third-party employees and service providers with the objective of analyzing economic viability and labor risks (LAR), and participation in special HR projects.

This role in summary

We are seeking qualified candidates to join our Business Human Resources (HR) team where you will be expected to work creatively and collaboratively with all levels and functions. In our fast-paced and diverse plant, you are the strategic business partner contributing to a positive labor and employee relations environment. Reporting to the HR Director, you will own the Labor Relations strategy and manage day-to-day operational Labor Relations activity.

You will have the political and organizational savvy to visualize, propose, adapt, and successfully implement suitable Labor Relations solutions to support the needs of the organization. Working from our premier refrigeration manufacturing facility in Amana, Iowa, - the second-largest plant in Iowa and located about 25 miles west of both Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, the Manager, Employee Experience is responsible for managing the Labor Relations functions for our unionized manufacturing plant of 3,000 represented employees.

Your responsibilities will include

• Serve as the chief spokesperson and company point of contact with the labor union, including responsibility for all activity including grievance administration, arbitration preparation, union meetings, contract administration, and contract negotiation preparation.
• Promote collaborative Labor Relations with local unions consistent with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and business objectives. Develop and maintain progressive relationships with local union leadership and union committees (Machinists Union).
• Coach and train business leaders, people leaders and employees, through both one-on-one interactions and presentations to management and senior leadership teams.
• Apply data analytics and judgment to draw insights that inform business decision-making, with specific emphasis on hourly employee attraction, retention, and engagement.
• Actively champion World Class Manufacturing (WCM) deployment and core member of the People Development (PD) Pillar.
• Partner with HR Operations, Payroll, and HR Centers of Excellence (CoEs) to analyze trends and metrics, identify business needs, and develop integrated solutions, programs, and policies in support of the business strategy.
• Provide positive employee relations support in support of other Whirlpool facilities in the United States.
• Partner with Production Operations, HR Operations, Finance, and Industrial Engineering for hourly workforce planning, resource forecasting, and labor management.
• In-depth decision-making and negotiation skills; demonstrated an ability to recognize alternatives, evaluate relevant information, and make decisions and recommendations with a high sense of urgency.
• Ability to learn and use Google business suite applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides).

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5+ years of experience in Human Resources
• 3+ years of Labor Relations experience

Preferred skills and experiences

• First chair/primary negotiating experience for union contract negotiations including overall strategy, proposal generation, and bargaining table experience
• Strong analytical skills including demonstrated proficiency in analyzing data using Excel or Google Sheets in relation to Labor Relations, staffing, engagement, etc.
• Knowledge and experience using Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) systems (e.g. SAP, Success Factors, Kronos)
• HR / Labor Relations experience in a large manufacturing or industrial environment
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement environments

Additional information

Whirlpool’s Ways of Working
Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. We apply ‘always on’ flexibility to all work days. You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.

We offer other flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:

• Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
• Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.