Sr Manager, Employee Relations

Grainger Businesses • Lake Forest, IL

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Employee Relations provides strategic, operational, and people leadership to a team of Team Member Relations Advisors and Senior Advisors who support multiple business functions across the enterprise. The role ensures consistent, high-quality execution of team member relations processes, promotes a positive team member experience, and drives alignment with The Grainger Edge. The Senior Manager serves as a strategic thought partner to HR leaders, legal partners, and business executives, offering expertise in complex employee relations, risk mitigation, and organizational health. The role shapes enterprise standards, develops scalable best practices, and builds capability across the advisor team to support Grainger's inclusive and performance-driven culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or Industrial Relations required
• 7+ years in Human Resources including employee relations; experience managing teams and complex ER issues across business functions required
• Demonstrates deep expertise in employment law (including Title VII), workplace policies, and employee relations best practices to guide compliant, equitable decision‑making.
• Leads and develops high‑performing teams by providing coaching, performance management, and capability‑building that strengthen ER advisory excellence.
• Navigates complex and sensitive ER matters with sound judgment, objectivity, and consistency, including independently conducting end‑to‑end investigations across multi‑state or multi‑country environments.
• Communicates and influences effectively, using strong verbal, written, and facilitation skills to align and partner with senior leaders and cross‑functional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership to a team of Team Member Relations Advisors and Senior Advisors across multiple business groups by aligning priorities, guiding decision‑making, and ensuring cohesive execution to strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• Ensures consistent, high‑quality execution of investigations, performance improvement processes, and policy interpretation by establishing clear expectations, monitoring casework, and reinforcing adherence to standards.
• Serves as the primary escalation point for complex, high‑risk, or sensitive employee relations issues by independently conducting thorough investigations into Title VII allegations, policy violations, complaints, concerns, and disputes, and manages escalated performance improvement matters to mitigate risk and uphold organizational integrity.
• Partners closely with HRBPs, Legal, Compliance, and business leaders to reduce risk, strengthen leader capability, and enhance the team member experience through proactive consultation and cross‑functional alignment.
• Establishes and maintains Standards of Excellence for case management, documentation quality, and investigation methodology to drive consistency, accuracy, and fairness across all ER practices.
• Analyzes ER data, identifies trends, and provides strategic insights that inform organizational decision‑making and support effective risk‑mitigation strategies.
• Leads enterprise‑wide process improvements by developing tools, training, and scalable best practices that elevate the effectiveness and efficiency of the TM Relations function.
• Develops team capability and increases adoption and optimization of TMR practices through coaching, feedback, SLA management, and ongoing development planning to build a high‑performing, future‑ready team.

Benefits

• With benefits starting on day one, our programs provide choice and flexibility to meet team members' individual needs, including:
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
• 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
• Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
• Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager