Associate & Labor Relations Director

Job Summary

The Associate and Labor Relations team is looking for a Labor Relations Director to join our dynamic team to partner with our unions, associates, and leaders across the organization to create an environment where the best people come to do their best work.  We are open to a broad range of experience levels including Experienced and Senior Level Specialists to find the best fit for this position.

We are looking for someone who has a range of experience covering the areas of associate engagement, positive associate relations, and labor relations. The candidate for this position will demonstrate proactive approaches to identifying issues, generating ideas and developing solutions.  This role is a fit for someone who adapts quickly, thrives in uncertainty, and is seen as an expert in their field.  This individual will be required to travel to our sites across the US, meeting with site leadership, hosting in-person meetings and enhancing local labor relations.

This work requires exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to connect across all levels, build trust quickly, and guide with clarity and confidence. You should be comfortable in a high-growth, fast-changing environment, making sound decisions with imperfect information.   This individual must approach their work with urgency, empathy, and strong judgment, serving as a collaborative partner and steady presence for the business.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Union Partnership and Collaboration:

• Partner with business leaders to maintain and foster relationships that ensures a culture where management preserves the direct relationship with associates.  For those non-union sites, ensures the site remains non-union.
• Establish strong relationships with union leaders to navigate day-to-day situations.  This individual is critical in fostering collaborative labor management partnerships, ensuring fair and constructive negotiations and proactively addressing workplace concerns to support a positive work environment.
• Develop strong partnerships with business leaders, HR Managers, HR functions and union leadership to create integrated solutions that will foster a culture based on relationships, trust and engagement

Contract Negotiation and Compliance:

• Lead and support collective bargaining negotiations, ensuring agreements are equitable, compliant, and sustainable for both associates and the organization.
• Interpret and implement union contracts, providing guidance to leadership on key provisions, expectations, and enforcement.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state labor laws, including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
• Manage and respond to union grievances, arbitration cases, and dispute resolution efforts, working toward timely and effective resolutions.

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Associate Engagement and Advocacy:

• Promote a collaborative work culture through labor-management initiatives that enhance associate satisfaction and retention.
• Educate supervisors and management on union-related policies, labor best practices, and effective negotiation strategies.
• Conduct workplace assessments and associate sentiment analysis to identify potential labor concerns before escalation.
• Develop and implement associate engagement programs that strengthen workplace morale and productivity.

Strategic Labor Relations Planning:

• Design and execute union engagement strategies that align with long-term business and workforce goals.
• Analyze industry trends, union strategies, and legislative changes that impact labor relations practices.  Use data to develop insights and recommendations to the business.
• Provide ongoing training for leadership and HR professionals on effective labor relations management and contract interpretation and ownership.
• Support company-wide initiatives that strengthen relationships between management, union representatives, and associates.
• Travel on a regular basis to company sites across the US, meeting with site leadership, hosting in-person meetings and enhancing local labor relations.

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

• A Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience in labor relations, associate relations or other People experience roles
• Ideal experience in high-growth, fast-paced, and highly dynamic environments
• 3+ years of experience creating and developing strategy plans and/or executing strategies and managing projects
• 3+ years of experience in influencing and building strong relationships with stakeholders and senior business leaders across functions and/or programs
• Experience working with Unions in an HR capacity
• A proven track record of handling complex performance management, sensitive exits, and conflict resolution with a steady, thoughtful, and pragmatic approach with high attention to detail
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills—building trust quickly, communicating with warmth and clarity, and connecting with associates, managers, and senior leaders alike
• A low-ego, high-ownership mindset. An ability to work both strategically and in day-to day situations that require hands-on support and a roll up your sleeves mentality
• Strong instincts for people and culture, with the ability to read situations, understand organizational dynamics, and offer grounded, empathetic guidance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially when navigating sensitive or high-stakes conversations
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and rapid change, with the ability to move quickly and decisively while staying aligned with the brand and mission
• A commitment to fairness, discretion, and principled decision-making. Providing thoughtful, balanced, and clear-eyed guidance, even under pressure
• Proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint to analyze associate relations data, develop reports, and present workforce trends to leadership

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Masters Degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations or related field
• Bilingual (Spanish and English)
• 3+ years in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with hourly workforce in union and non-union environments

Travel Requirements

• Domestic and/or International 20-40%

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