Human Resources Specialist - Labor Relations

HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST – LABOR RELATIONS

The Human Resources Specialist – Labor Relations provides operational Human Resources support across DFM's unionized locations with a primary focus on labor relations, workplace investigations, grievance administration, and employee relations. Working under the direction of the Sr. Human Resources Manager, this position partners with operations leadership to administer collective bargaining agreements, resolve workplace concerns, and ensure compliance with Company policies, labor agreements, and employment laws.

This role also assists with recruiting and onboarding activities during periods of business growth, customer launches, and increased staffing demands while serving as a trusted HR resource to supervisors and represented employees.

Primary Goals and Responsibilities (include but not limited to)

Labor Relations

• Support the day-to-day administration of multiple Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), including grievance tracking, research, documentation, and preparation for grievance meetings.
• Attend grievance meetings, labor-management meetings, disciplinary meetings, and other union-related meetings as assigned.
• Assist with arbitration preparation by organizing documentation, timelines, witness statements, and supporting evidence.
• Maintain labor relations files, grievance logs, and other required documentation.
• Develop productive working relationships with union representatives while monitoring grievance and investigation trends to identify training opportunities, process improvements, and proactive labor relations initiatives.

Workplace Investigations & Employee Relations

• Conduct workplace investigations involving employee complaints, policy violations, attendance concerns, misconduct, harassment, safety concerns, and other employee or labor relations matters.
• Interview employees, supervisors, and witnesses while maintaining confidentiality and impartiality throughout the investigation process.
• Prepare detailed investigation reports, findings, and recommendations for review by senior Human Resources leadership.
• Partner with site leadership to resolve employee and labor relations matters by providing guidance on contract interpretation, policy application, coaching documentation, corrective actions, progressive discipline, and performance concerns involving represented employees.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Support

• Provide operational recruiting support during periods of increased hiring activity, customer launches, and business growth.
• Coordinate candidate interviews, communications, and pre-employment activities, including background checks, drug screenings, employment verifications, and Paycor onboarding.
• Coordinate new hire logistics including IT equipment requests, badge access, orientation schedules, and first-day communications.
• Monitor onboarding progress to ensure all pre-employment and onboarding requirements are completed.

Human Resources Operations

• Maintain employee records within Paycor and other HR systems while processing employment verifications, unemployment claims, personnel transactions, and required HR documentation.
• Assist employees and supervisors with HR policy interpretation, leave administration, benefits inquiries, and general Human Resources questions.
• Prepare HR reports, labor relations metrics, and workforce data to support business decisions.
• Assist with HR audits and ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and contractual requirements.
• Participate in People Services projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Travel to company locations as needed to support workplace investigations, employee relations matters, onboarding activities, and operational HR initiatives.

Role Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 3–5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience required.
• Experience supporting unionized workforces with working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, grievance administration, and progressive discipline strongly preferred. UAW labor relations experience preferred.
• Experience conducting workplace investigations and employee relations matters preferred.
• Experience supporting full-cycle hiring and onboarding processes preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws.
• Experience with HRIS systems (Paycor preferred).
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to travel periodically to support multiple company locations.