Human Resources Manager in Chicago, Illinois at Urban Growers Collective Inc

Position Summary

The Human Resources Manager directs and supervises HR functions, ensuring compliance, efficient talent management, and positive employee relations. This role is primarily operational and responsible for implementation, administration, compliance, and day-to-day HR support including partnering with leadership to support organizational objectives while handling hiring, onboarding, employee relations, benefits management, compensation administration and HR compliance across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day HR operations and supervise HR staff

• Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and pre-employment processes

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and county employment laws/regulations

• Ensure employee relations issues are handled consistently, professionally, and in alignment with organizational standards

• Lead employee relations, investigations, corrective actions, and conflict resolution

• Advise leadership on ADA/LOA issues, performance management, policy interpretation, and HR best practices

• Oversee background checks, credentialing, and compliance tracking

• Manage HR metrics, reports, audits, and documentation

• Partner with payroll, benefits, and external vendors

• Support employee exit processes and conduct exit interviews

• Promote and support a positive employee relations environment that fosters open communication, respect, and teamwork across the organization

• Provide coaching and guidance to supervisors and managers on disciplinary actions, performance management, and conflict resolution

• Conduct and/or assist with workplace investigations, employee complaints, and corrective action processes in accordance with company policy

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws as well as company policies and procedures (including EEO, I-9, FMLA, FLSA, and OSHA requirements)

• Lead the development, documentation, and implementation of HR policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in partnership with the COO

• Supervises the HR Generalist

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and 3+ years (or no degree and 6+ years) of progressive HR management experience, including experience in HR Operations, Benefits management, Payroll processing, HR reporting, workforce analytics, and department optimization

• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR compliance

• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills

• Results orientation and ability to meet deadlines and established goals

• Proficiency with HRIS (ADP preferred), ATS, and Google Suites

• HR certification (SHRM or PHR) preferred

Work Environment & Schedule

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting, and on rare occasion, farm-based environments. Staff may work a hybrid schedule of 3 days in the office and 2 days remote per week.

• Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required

Physical Requirement

• Ability to navigate uneven surfaces

• Occasional travel to local locations

• Sit at work stations for long periods of time

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

UGC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics.