Assistant Human Resource Manager in Rocky Mount, Virginia at Empire Bakery Commissary LLC

Position Summary

The Assistant Human Resources Manager supports the day-to-day management of Human Resources functions at Empire Bakery Commissary's manufacturing facility. This position partners closely with the Senior Human Resources Manager, HR Generalists, supervisors, managers, and employees to support employee relations, recruiting and retention, benefits administration, payroll and timekeeping, performance management, leave administration, workers' compensation, regulatory compliance, training, and workforce development.

The Assistant Human Resources Manager serves as a key HR resource for employees and management and assists in promoting a workplace culture of respect, accountability, safety, inclusion, and open communication. The position requires a hands-on HR presence and the ability to effectively support a diverse hourly workforce in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Employee Relations

• Serve as a HR resource for employees, supervisors, and managers.
• Assist supervisors and managers with employee relations matters, including attendance, performance, conduct, policy interpretation, and corrective action.
• Conduct fair, thorough, and appropriately documented workplace investigations.
• Assist with coaching, counseling, corrective action, performance improvement plans, and other employee-relations documentation.
• Respond to employee complaints and workplace concerns promptly, professionally, and consistently.
• Promote positive employee relations, engagement, retention, and effective communication.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion when handling sensitive employee matters.

Recruiting, Hiring and Onboarding

• Coordinate recruitment and selection activities for hourly and salaried positions as assigned.
• Partner with hiring managers to identify staffing needs and candidate requirements.
• Conduct interviews and coordinate background checks and pre-employment screening.
• Maintain and update job postings and recruiting materials.
• Coordinate new-hire orientation and onboarding.
• Monitor recruiting activity and recommend strategies to improve hiring and retention.

HR Administration and HRIS

• Process and review new hires, terminations, transfers, promotions, and employee status changes.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation.
• Utilize ADP and other HR systems to maintain employee information and support HR processes.
• Assist with payroll and timekeeping administration and resolve employee or supervisor questions.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and security of personnel information.
• Prepare HR reports and workforce metrics as requested.

Benefits and Leave Administration

• Assist employees with benefit enrollment, changes, eligibility questions, and annual open enrollment.
• Coordinate benefit information with employees and benefit vendors.
• Administer and monitor employee leaves, including FMLA, medical leave, and other company-approved leaves.
• Assist with the reasonable accommodation process under the ADA.
• Coordinate workers' compensation claims, documentation, restrictions, and return-to-work activities.
• Maintain accurate and confidential leave and benefits records.

Compliance and Policy Administration

• Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain Form I-9 documentation and employment eligibility verification requirements.
• Support E-Verify processes in accordance with company procedures.
• Assist with HR audits, reporting requirements, record retention, and compliance reviews.
• Assist with the development, communication, interpretation, and consistent application of company policies and procedures.
• Ensure HR practices and employment documentation are completed accurately and consistently.

Performance Management and Training

• Assist managers with employee performance reviews, coaching, development plans, and performance improvement processes.
• Coordinate required HR, compliance, employee-development, and company training.
• Track training completion and maintain required records.
• Assist with supervisor and management training on HR policies, employee relations, documentation, and employment practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve supervisor effectiveness and employee development.

Manufacturing Workforce Support

• Maintain an active HR presence within the manufacturing facility.
• Partner with production leadership to address staffing, attendance, turnover, employee relations, and workforce challenges.
• Provide HR support across multiple shifts, including occasional off-shift coverage when necessary.
• Support employee engagement and retention initiatives.
• Follow and reinforce company safety requirements, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), behavioral expectations, and employee handbook policies.
• Promptly report and appropriately escalate food safety, product quality, workplace safety, or employee concerns.

Leadership and Department Support

• Assist the Senior Human Resources Manager in managing daily HR department priorities.
• Serve as a resource and mentor to HR staff as assigned.
• Assist with HR projects, policy implementation, employee communications, and organizational initiatives.
• Provide HR coverage and decision-making support in the Senior Human Resources Manager's absence within delegated authority.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, employee experience, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible HR experience may be considered.

Experience

• 5 to 10 years of progressively responsible Human Resources experience preferred.
• Experience handling employee relations and workplace investigations strongly preferred.
• Previous HR experience in a manufacturing, food manufacturing, production, warehouse, or distribution environment strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting a large hourly workforce preferred.
• Experience with ADP Workforce Now or comparable HRIS/payroll systems preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of HR practices and applicable employment laws.
• Demonstrated employee-relations and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to conduct objective and appropriately documented workplace investigations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with employees at all organizational levels.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HR information systems.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Certifications

• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP
• PHR or SPHR

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to regularly walk throughout a manufacturing facility.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move between office and production environments.
• Ability to perform computer and administrative work for extended periods.