Senior Labor Relations Specialist

WinCo Foods•Boise, ID

About The Position

The Senior Labor Relations Specialist leads and supports Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations for retail, distribution center, and office/support locations. The role provides direction and guidance to management on labor relations activities, including CBA implementation, administration, interpretation, and responses to employee representative inquiries. The specialist partners with business leaders and internal teams to plan contract negotiations, resolve CBA-related disputes, support compliance, and deliver labor relations strategies aligned with business objectives. The position also develops and delivers labor relations training, monitors changes in labor laws and regulations, and performs other duties as assigned or needed. Overnight travel may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business/Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent education, training, and/or experience.
At least four years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience.
Demonstrated labor relations experience, including negotiation, collective bargaining processes, CBAs, and dispute resolution; retail, warehouse/distribution center, or similar experience is preferred.
Strong working knowledge of general Human Resources policies, practices, programs, and procedures.
Experience maintaining compliance with HR and labor-related laws and regulations, such as the NLRA, Title VII, ADA, and FMLA.
Working knowledge of conflict resolution methods and practices.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and professional communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships across organizational functional areas and with others contacted in the course of work.
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet schedules, timelines, and deadlines.
Ability to work proactively and independently and to be dependable, self-directed, and attentive to detail.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, integrity, and dependability.
Ability to travel overnight as needed.

Nice To Haves

Labor relations experience in a retail, warehouse/distribution center, or similar environment.

Responsibilities

Facilitate the collective bargaining process by tracking contract expirations, conducting wage and working-condition research, supporting negotiations, drafting agreements, and overseeing administration and compliance.
Guide peers and store, distribution center, and office management in administering and interpreting CBAs and complying with labor relations policies and practices.
Respond to management and employee representative inquiries about CBA-related dispute resolution, including grievances and arbitrations.
Partner with business leaders on strategic planning for area contract negotiations, including identifying business changes and flexibility needs and conducting competitive wage and working-condition research, analysis, and planning.
Draft wage and working-condition documents for new location openings.
Facilitate proactive and positive employee and labor relations strategies and initiatives aligned with business objectives.
Communicate with management, HR staff, finance, payroll, benefits, and employee representatives on labor relations matters.
Partner with payroll on CBA implementation and administration, tracking accruals, and minimum-wage compliance.
Develop and deliver training for supervisors and management trainees on labor relations topics, including grievance procedures and CBAs.
Stay current on new and proposed labor laws, regulations, and case developments to ensure compliance.
Perform other duties as assigned or needed.