HR Business Partner, Employee Relations
About The Position
The HR Business Partner, Employee Relations supports Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant during its transformation into the future home of the Ford Fathom™, the first truck built on Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle platform. This on-site manufacturing role provides HR support to a customer group and partners with Operations and union representatives to foster a positive, productive, and inclusive workplace, ensure compliance, and support business objectives. The role covers employee engagement, labor and union relations, compliance, community outreach, workforce data analysis, payroll and attendance processes, case management, contract interpretation, investigations, discipline, hourly employee talent processes, and health and safety coordination. The position rotates across day and night shifts. Ford describes opportunities for career growth and offers a range of employee benefits. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a Human Resources-related discipline or commensurate work experience.
- 1–3 years of relevant HR and/or labor experience; internships will be considered.
- Ability to work day or night shift; the position rotates across shifts.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in a Human Resources-related discipline; MBA included.
- Experience partnering with a union to advance problem-solving at the plant-floor level.
- Strong relationship-building skills and experience working with hourly and salary employees in a unionized manufacturing environment.
- Interest in continued career growth and new challenges.
- Exposure to Six Sigma and lean manufacturing methodologies, such as green/black belt certification and standardized work.
Responsibilities
- Develop relationships with Operations and use business knowledge to identify solutions that support business objectives and sustainable cultural change.
- Promote a positive and inclusive employee experience through feedback-based initiatives, employee opinion surveys, suggestions, open-door policies, DEI initiatives, and recognition events.
- Apply Gemba principles and PDCA methodology to build employee relationships, maintain HR availability, and identify and address concerns early.
- Apply lean methodologies and progressive HR practices to improve recruiting, training and development, contract administration, investigations, and other HR functions.
- Partner with local communications staff to implement communications and support informed employees and two-way communication across shifts.
- Ensure compliance with employment laws, regulations, and company policies.
- Participate in charitable activities supporting the plant’s community engagement efforts.
- Monitor workforce metrics and collaborate with Operations leaders to identify risks and deploy mitigating actions.
- Resolve union conflicts, disputes, and disciplinary matters fairly and promptly; support collective bargaining and negotiations.
- Manage assigned cases and grievances, monitoring workload and emerging trends.
- Execute payroll and attendance processes, including attendance hearings, system-code updates, and reports.
- Administer and track employee leaves associated with FMLA, workers’ compensation, and ADA.
- Work with the customer group and union representatives to interpret and implement contract terms consistently and address inquiries and grievances.
- Manage disciplinary hearings for policy and contractual violations with Operations and union representatives.
- Support timely and effective investigations, disciplinary matters, grievances, and arbitration matters using conflict-resolution and critical-thinking skills.
- Support hourly employee talent management, including placement, hiring, and review processes.
- Work with safety and occupational health leads on employee health and wellness concerns, safety audits, and wellness programs.
Benefits
- Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days
- Paid parental leave
- New parent ramp-up programs
- Subsidized back-up child care
- Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
- Fertility treatments
- Vehicle discount program for employees and family members
- Management leases
- Tuition assistance
- Employee resource groups
- Paid time off for individual and team community service
- Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
