Director Labor Relations

CONAGRA•Chicago, IL

3d•$135,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice President, Human Resources, the Director, Labor Relations serves as a strategic advisor to business and manufacturing leaders, shaping labor and employee relations strategies that advance organizational performance and employee engagement. The role develops and executes labor relations strategy across manufacturing operations and fosters productive relationships with represented employees, union leadership, plant leadership teams, and other stakeholders. As the enterprise labor relations expert, this leader directs collective bargaining strategy and serves as the primary representative in labor negotiations. The role partners with Operations, Human Resources, Finance, Legal, and Total Rewards to balance workforce, operational, financial, and cultural objectives. The successful candidate takes a proactive, business-minded approach, using data, relationships, and influence to strengthen workforce engagement, leadership capability, organizational transformation, and employee experience across union and non-union environments. Travel may be up to 60%.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant labor relations leadership in a manufacturing, industrial, or unionized environment.
Demonstrated success leading complex labor negotiations and developing labor relations strategies that support business performance.
Experience partnering with executive leaders to drive organizational and workforce outcomes.
Deep knowledge of labor and employment laws, including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), FMLA, WARN, Department of Labor regulations, and applicable state and local laws.
Extensive experience in collective bargaining, contract administration, grievance procedures, arbitration, workforce planning, and employee relations.
Strong financial acumen and demonstrated ability to evaluate labor costs, productivity measures, workforce analytics, and business performance data.
Exceptional communication, influencing, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to establish credibility and trust with labor representatives, employees, plant leadership, and executive stakeholders.
Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, change, and complex organizational challenges.
Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
Ability to drive outcomes through collaboration, influence, and partnership rather than authority alone.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering an engaging, inclusive, high-performance culture.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an enterprise labor relations strategy aligned with manufacturing, operational, and financial objectives.
Advise executive leaders on labor, workforce, organizational, and employee relations matters.
Anticipate labor and workforce trends, emerging risks, and external market dynamics, and develop proactive strategies to strengthen organizational effectiveness and workforce stability.
Use workforce, operational, and financial data to identify opportunities, assess risk, and influence business decisions.
Lead collective bargaining strategy and serve as chief spokesperson during labor negotiations.
Direct negotiation preparation, costing, bargaining priorities, and implementation planning.
Oversee and provide strategic guidance on contract administration, grievance management, arbitration, and dispute resolution.
Partner with site leadership teams to promote consistent application and interpretation of labor agreements.
Drive employee engagement, trust, inclusion, and retention strategies across manufacturing sites.
Build collaborative relationships with union representatives, plant leadership, and employees to promote constructive labor-management partnerships.
Partner with Human Resources Business Partners and Operations leaders to address complex employee relations issues and foster a respectful, high-performing workplace culture.
Lead initiatives that support positive employee relations and help maintain union-free environments where applicable through leadership practices, employee engagement, and workforce communication.
Develop Human Resources and Operations leaders' capabilities in employee relations, conflict management, contract interpretation, and labor strategy.
Coach and influence senior leaders through complex organizational, workforce, and labor challenges.
Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across manufacturing locations.
Collaborate with Human Resources Centers of Excellence, Finance, Total Rewards, Legal, and Operations leaders to develop integrated workforce solutions.
Support organizational redesign, workforce planning, acquisitions, divestitures, facility changes, automation, and operational transformation.
Ensure compliance with labor, employment, and regulatory requirements while balancing employee and business needs.