Human Resources Generalist

As employees of a farmer-owned cooperative, we come to work every day trying to honor the tireless effort and care these farming families put in every day, all day, 365 days a year. Our farmer-owners tend to think in generations, with some of our farms being run by the same families for over a century. We carry this approach into our business, knowing that each and every one of us makes a difference in allowing these generational traditions to continue, taking pride in knowing that we nourish our friends, neighbors, nation, and even the world with healthy and delicious dairy products. Our products include milk, flavored milk, yogurt, dip, sour cream, cottage cheese, Italian cheese, and ice cream mix marketed under the Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk® brands.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Recruitment – Works with management to develop strategic recruiting plans. Source and screen candidates to match experience with specific job-related requirements and administer pre-employment checks. Researches, analyzes hiring statistics and staffing resource efficiency. Uses traditional and non-traditional resources to identify and attract quality candidates such as career fairs, networking events, etc.
• Benefits Administration – Processes enrollments, changes, and terminations. Answers employee benefit questions and investigates issues with benefit vendors. Assist with the planning and execution of our annual open enrollment process. Ensures benefit data accuracy in HRIS.
• Assists in the legal compliance per Company and governmental policies such as preparation of reporting or filing requirements (AAP, EEO, etc.). Maintains department procedures ensuring timely updates resulting from regulatory changes.
• Recommends new approaches and assists with policies and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency of the department and services performed.
• Guide leadership on HR policies and processes to help strengthen overall organizational capability.
• Participates in the supporting operations and policy enforcement in compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Assists employees with employment and Payroll related inquires.
• Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Experience & Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 6 years’ experience in a HR Generalist role (specialties in recruiting, benefits administration, training and/or Labor relations highly preferred) or the equivalent combination education/experience is required.
• Preferred: PHR certified or SHRM-CP certified, prior Labor Relations experience

Knowledge & Skills - Required

• Technical aptitude.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office application (Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook).
• HRIS system experience including online Applicant Tracking.
• Proficient working knowledge and competent understanding of Human Resources management, principles and applicable laws and the ability to stay abreast of legislative changes.
• Able to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Must be well organized, able to effectively prioritize and handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Demonstrated experience as collaborative, contributing team member.
• Strong interpersonal communications, facilitation and conflict resolutions skills. Must be able to interact and communicate professionally throughout all levels of the organization
• Strong attention to quality and process detail.
• Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Analytical approach to process improvement and change.
• A proactive and innovative problem solver adept at root cause analysis

Confidentiality

• This position is regularly exposed to employee and company confidential information. A High degree of discretion is required.

Management Responsibility

• The HR Generalist is an individual contributor role that operates under the general direction of the Manager/Director, Human Resources

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment. Ability to operate a computer, phone, photocopier, calculator, and fax machine required. Incumbent must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, stretch and lift up to 35 pounds. Must be able to see and speak.
• 10 – 15% of time will be spent in the Manufacturing Plant in which the employee will be exposed to noise, wet floors, moving machinery, strong smells, etc.

Pay: $58,600 - $76,200 a year*

• The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. 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

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)