Senior Director, Labor Relations - West Market

Sysco • Houston, TX

15d

About The Position

Purpose The Senior Director will be responsible for overseeing and leading the development, implementation, and management of all labor relations strategies, policies, and activities. This individual will play a key role in fostering positive relationships with labor unions, ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations, and mitigating risks associated with labor disputes. The Senior Director will collaborate with senior management, legal, and HR teams to drive organizational performance, stability, and compliance across all business units.

Requirements

• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage and de-escalate complex, high-stakes labor situations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with union representatives, employees, and senior management.
• Experience in managing multi-disciplinary teams and cross-functional collaboration.
• Proven ability to influence and navigate through organizational change while maintaining strong employee relations.
• Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to balance both short-term and long-term objectives.
• Experience with unionized workforces in manufacturing, healthcare, or other heavily regulated industries.
• Experience in managing complex labor relations issues across multiple geographic locations.
• Bachelor's degree in related discipline or an additional 4 years of relevant experience in lieu of degree
• 11+ years of experience

Responsibilities

• Union Relations: Lead negotiations and maintain effective working relationships with labor unions, ensuring that contracts, grievances, and negotiations are handled with a focus on fairness, transparency, and business continuity.
• Grievance Management: Oversee and resolve labor grievances and disputes in a timely and effective manner, mitigating any potential risks to the company.
• Compliance & Legal: Ensure that all activities, including bargaining and workplace practices, comply with federal, state, and local labor laws and regulations. Collaborate with legal teams to assess and manage labor-related litigation.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop the labor relations team, ensuring continuous improvement in their skills, knowledge, and performance.
• Employee Engagement: Act as a liaison to foster a positive workplace culture while maintaining constructive employee relations. Advocate for employee interests while ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Change Management: Support the organization in managing significant organizational changes (e.g., restructuring, mergers, acquisitions) with an eye towards maintaining positive labor relations.
• Reporting & Metrics: Provide regular reports on labor relations issues, outcomes, and trends to senior leadership. Use data to inform decision-making and improve strategies.

What This Job Offers

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