Human Resources Generalist

National Material L.P.•Waukegan, IL

111d•Onsite

About The Position

Waukegan Steel is seeking a Human Resources Generalist to serve as a trusted business partner to plant leadership and employees. The role provides hands-on support across talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, payroll and benefits support, policy administration, HR compliance, safety initiatives, training, and organizational development. The position supports multiple manufacturing locations and works closely with operations leadership to strengthen employee engagement, improve the employee experience, implement consistent HR practices, and standardize processes. The successful candidate will be highly visible in the operation and demonstrate sound judgment, confidentiality, communication, and problem-solving skills. The primary location is Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, with travel to other company facilities. The role works in both office and manufacturing plant environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, psychology, or a related field preferred.
Three to five years of Human Resources experience preferred.
Experience supporting recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, payroll, benefits, HR compliance, leave administration, and employee communications.
Understanding of HR best practices and federal, state, and local employment laws.
Excellent interpersonal, written communication, verbal communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to build credibility and effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, managers, and the executive team.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Sound judgment, high integrity, and demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
Experience with HRIS, payroll, and applicant tracking systems.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with the Waukegan Steel management team and broader NMLP HR team.
Ability to work in both office and manufacturing plant environments, walk through production areas, interact with employees on the plant floor, and attend meetings across supported locations.
Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality in a high-volume, employee-facing role.

Nice To Haves

Human resources experience in a manufacturing, distribution, industrial, or multi-shift environment is strongly preferred.
Experience working in a multi-site environment preferred.
PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification is a plus.
Experience with Dayforce, UKG, ADP, Workday, or similar HRIS/payroll systems.
Experience supporting manufacturing or distribution operations.
Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage full-cycle recruiting for hourly, skilled trades, technical, administrative, and salaried positions.
Partner with hiring managers to understand staffing needs, position requirements, and workforce priorities.
Develop recruiting strategies using job boards, referrals, social media, LinkedIn outreach, community resources, technical schools, staffing partners, and local networking opportunities.
Screen applicants, coordinate interviews, participate in selection discussions, and support timely hiring decisions.
Maintain applicant tracking records, recruiting documentation, and staffing metrics; support workforce planning across locations.
Coordinate pre-employment activities, including offer letters, background checks, drug screens, new-hire paperwork, and start-date communications.
Conduct or coordinate new employee orientation and ensure employees receive required policy, safety, benefits, payroll, and facility information.
Partner with supervisors and managers to support employee integration; monitor onboarding effectiveness and recommend improvements.
Serve as a primary point of contact for employees and supervisors regarding HR questions and concerns.
Guide employee relations matters, attendance issues, policy interpretation, performance coaching, corrective action, and workplace concerns.
Support managers in resolving employee issues while promoting consistent, respectful, and legally compliant employment practices.
Assist with employee communications, recognition efforts, engagement activities, and company events; maintain a strong plant-floor presence and effective working relationships.
Respond to employee questions regarding payroll, timekeeping, benefits, leave programs, and HR policies.
Assist employees with benefit enrollment, open enrollment, life event changes, and general benefits administration questions.
Coordinate with payroll, benefits, and HR teams at National Material L.P. to ensure accurate employee information and timely issue resolution.
Support leave administration, including FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation coordination, and other applicable leave programs.
Interpret and consistently apply company policies, procedures, handbook provisions, and HR practices; assist with implementing and communicating HR policies and initiatives.
Support compliance activities involving FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, harassment prevention, leave administration, recordkeeping, employee documentation, and other applicable employment requirements.
Assist with employee relations investigations, policy violations, workplace concerns, and compliance-related matters; maintain employee records and HR documentation in accordance with company standards and legal requirements.
Partner with plant leadership to promote safe work practices, employee accountability, and employee participation in the safety culture.
Assist with safety training administration, safety communications, incident documentation, workers' compensation coordination, return-to-work activities, and safety committee initiatives; participate in facility audits, safety meetings, and compliance initiatives as requested.
Provide HR support to multiple manufacturing facilities and partner with local leadership teams to ensure consistent application of HR practices.
Identify opportunities to improve, simplify, and standardize HR processes, forms, communications, onboarding practices, and employee-facing procedures.
Promote HR best practices across locations while recognizing site-specific operational needs; support HR projects and continuous-improvement initiatives.
Coordinate employee training, compliance training, and development initiatives.
Support performance management, employee development planning, succession planning, and training-needs identification.
Implement programs that improve employee capabilities, supervisor effectiveness, and organizational performance.