As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2024 revenue of $3.6 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,500 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets. Learn more at www.hbfuller.com.
The HR Business Partner (HRBP) supports business and workforce outcomes by aligning people strategies with operational goals across the North America region, with primary responsibility for the Michigan Center manufacturing plant. This role is on-site and serves as a strategic advisor to leaders and a trusted resource for employees in a highly unionized manufacturing environment.
This position requires significant, hands-on experience supporting unionized manufacturing workforces. The successful candidate must have experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements, partnering directly with union leadership, managing labor relations matters, and supporting labor negotiations.
The HRBP partners closely with leaders, union representatives, and HR colleagues to deliver compliant, data-informed, and people-centered solutions.
Primary Responsibilities
- Partner with site and regional leaders to implement HR strategies aligned to business objectives and operational priorities.
- Serve as an advisor on employee relations matters including performance management, conflict resolution, investigations, and corrective action.
- Build and maintain effective labor-management relationships by partnering directly with union representatives, administering collective bargaining agreements, managing grievance processes, and participating in labor negotiations.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, safety regulations, and union contract requirements.
- Support workforce planning, organizational design, and succession planning to meet current and future talent needs.
- Partner with Talent Acquisition to support recruitment strategies and effective onboarding aligned with business and diversity goals.
- Analyze HR metrics (e.g., turnover, engagement, labor trends) and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
- Lead or support initiatives that improve employee engagement, retention, inclusion, and workplace culture.
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 9 or more years of progressive HR experience.
- At least 7 years of direct HR experience supporting a unionized manufacturing workforce is required.
- Demonstrated, hands-on experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements, handling grievances, conducting workplace investigations, partnering directly with union leadership, and supporting labor negotiations is required.
- Ability to advise leaders using clearly documented policies, data insights, employment law principles, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Authorization to work in the United States with the ability to travel regionally up to 10-20%.
- Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Prior experience serving as an HR Business Partner supporting multiple unionized manufacturing sites.
- Experience using HR analytics, employee survey data, and workforce metrics to drive measurable improvements.
- Professional HR certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP).
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Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, and geographic location.
The salary for this role is $115,000-$130,000.
In addition to your salary, H.B. Fuller offers employees a competitive total rewards package including comprehensive benefits, incentive and recognitions programs, health & wellness benefits, 401K contributions, paid time off and paid holidays. Eligibility may vary.
H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.
H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.
