Plant Human Resources Generalist

Smithfield Foods • Sioux Falls, SD

5d • Onsite

About The Position

As an HR Generalist, you’ll be at the heart of creating a positive, people-first workplace where employees feel supported and valued. In this dynamic role, you’ll partner with leaders and employees alike, driving retention efforts, supporting labor relations, and ensuring smooth, compliant HR operations. From collaborating on staffing needs and managing job bids to providing guidance on policies and fostering an inclusive culture, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day. If you’re passionate about building strong teams and shaping a thriving work environment, this is the role for you.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Human Resources, Business Management, or related field and 2+ years of related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Employment Law Knowledge: Solid understanding of employment law practices, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Confidentiality & Integrity: Proven ability to manage sensitive information with the utmost confidentiality and discretion, maintaining trust and professionalism at all times.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey information and collaborate effectively across all levels.

Nice To Haves

• Language Skills: Bilingual in Spanish or another language preferred, to enhance communication and support a diverse workforce.
• HR Systems & Technology: Experience administering benefits, compensation, and other HR programs, with proficiency in HRIS systems such as Workday, payroll, timekeeping systems, and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Previous Workday/HCM experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Employee Relations: You will foster a positive labor and employee relations environment, while facilitating workplace investigations or other inquiries under the guidance of the site HR leader. You'll play a key role in maintaining and enhancing the location’s HR initiatives, promoting a culture of trust and engagement. You will actively listen, provide constructive feedback, recognition, and gratitude, and serve as a visible business partner by regularly visiting the production floor to engage employees at all levels, relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Retention and Workforce Management: You will collaborate with the plant management team to help ensure that hourly production employee retention is maintained at an acceptable level, in line with HR metrics and goals. You may complete data entry and review of the time and attendance system and manage job/vacation bid processes. You will assist with job fairs, training and development workshops, new hire onboarding, labor relations, and payroll processing. You will partner with Talent Acquisition to create and manage job requisitions, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Communication and Training: You will effectively communicate and demonstrate Smithfield's ROI guiding principles (Responsibility, Operational Excellence, and Innovation) and provide necessary resources to empower employees with the knowledge and materials needed (FMLA, LOA, ADA, Workday Resources, etc.), ensuring they have the tools to succeed.
• Data Management and Compliance: You’ll play a vital role in compliance by assisting with the preparation and oversight of HR-related audits, such as SMETA/SWA, while maintaining accurate records in the Human Resources Information System (HRIS). Your attention to detail will help ensure data integrity and compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Strategic Human Resources Guidance: You will work with the site HR leader in driving the success of the HR department, offering guidance on HR policies and procedures, including handling labor relation meetings, records management, employee inquiries, community relations, and employee events. Additionally, you will collect and analyze HR data to make recommendations on workforce planning, conduct orientation, and support on-the-job training initiatives.

Benefits

• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.
• Our partnership with GUILD supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent.
• For those looking to build specialized skills, we offer apprenticeship programs that combine hands-on experience with focused learning.
• We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Smithfield’s Education Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement to team members who want to further their formal education by obtaining a GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or by pursuing an academic degree at an accredited college or university that is not a Guild learning partner.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees