Manager, Labor Relations

C&S Wholesale Grocers•Keene, NH

1d•Remote

About The Position

Keep our communities fed. Our focus is simple but meaningful — from our distribution centers to our offices, every employee of C&S and our family of companies works to help feed local families, neighbors, and communities. As a Manager, Labor Relations, you will act as a strategic partner and subject matter expert for labor-management relations and union vulnerability strategies. This role supports a network of fast-paced grocery retail locations and warehouse/distribution facilities. Operating as a high-impact individual contributor with no direct reports, this position is fully remote (work from home) when not traveling. The Manager serves as the primary point of contact for operational leadership, providing real-time, legally defensible guidance on collective bargaining agreement (CBA) compliance, grievance resolution, and complex workplace investigations. When traveling (approximately 50% regionally), the Manager conducts on-site vulnerability assessments, designs proactive associate relations initiatives, and equips frontline leaders to cultivate a fair, high-performance workplace culture.

Requirements

5-7 years of labor relations experience, specifically in labor relations, employee relations, or workplace investigations.
Advanced knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) processes, and applicable federal and state employment laws.
Highly developed conflict resolution, de-escalation, and active listening skills to navigate emotionally charged situations.
The ability to build trust and coach frontline shift selectors and drivers through senior distribution executives.
Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements, ensuring the consistent and compliant application of multiple contracts across different locations.
Providing real-time guidance to operations and local HR partners regarding the application of collective bargaining agreements in various situations.
Investigating, documenting, and processing the final steps of the grievance process.
Serving as an objective intermediary to manage conflict resolution and mediate disputes between management and union representatives.
Partnering with Legal Counsel to prepare comprehensive case files, gather witness statements, and represent the company's interests at arbitrations, mediations, and administrative agency hearings (e.g., EEOC, NLRB).
Preparing and executing bargaining strategies by drafting tentative agreements, creating costing templates, preparing talking points, and serving as a core member of the bargaining committee.
Conducting on-site assessments and labor vulnerability evaluations at non-union facilities to proactively mitigate operational risks.
Analyzing regional labor metrics and employee engagement data to identify trends, and reporting actionable insights and mitigation strategies.
Designing and delivering training for frontline supervisors in retail and warehouse settings, focusing on contract administration, union awareness, labor trends, positive employee communication, and lawful management practices in response to organizing efforts.
Deploying rapid-response protocols to manage, navigate, and respond to active third-party organizing campaigns or corporate salting efforts within the designated region.