Job Title: Senior People & Engagement Generalist
Location: Mishawaka, IN
Department: People & Engagement
Job Type: Exempt
About United Petfood:
United Petfood is a private label producer of high-quality dry & wet pet food, biscuits and snacks. We are a Belgian family business with 25 high-tech pet kitchens in Europe and the US.
Joining us, means joining an international, passionate and driven team with one common goal: a healthy planet filled with healthy pets! But it doesn’t stop there: we truly care about building encouraging, supportive, long-lasting partnerships, both inside as well as outside of our fast-growing family company. By only working with the very best ingredients and most innovative technology available, we ensure a spot in which you can grow, bloom and make thousands of pets happy worldwide!
Position Summary:
The Senior People & Engagement Generalist serves as the primary People & Engagement representative for the assigned manufacturing facility. This position is responsible for independently managing the day-to-day People & Engagement operations while partnering closely with plant leadership to support business objectives and create a positive employee experience.
This role provides leadership in recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compliance, engagement, training, and workforce development. The Senior People & Engagement Generalist exercises sound judgment in managing routine People & Engagement matters while collaborating with the People & Engagement Manager on complex employee relations issues, disciplinary actions, organizational changes, and other high-impact business decisions.
This position plays a critical role in maintaining a culture built on accountability, respect, engagement, and continuous improvement.
Essential Responsibilities:
Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
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Manage full-cycle recruiting for hourly and salaried positions.
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Coordinate interviews, background checks, offers, and onboarding activities.
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Facilitate New Hire Orientation and ensure successful onboarding.
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Maintain staffing levels by partnering with department leaders.
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Build relationships with staffing agencies, schools, and community organizations.
Employee Relations
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Serve as the primary People & Engagement contact for employees and supervisors.
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Coach leaders through performance management and employee concerns.
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Conduct workplace investigations and recommend appropriate resolutions.
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Resolve employee issues in a fair, timely, and consistent manner.
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Foster a positive workplace culture through open communication and trust.
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Escalate complex employee relations matters and disciplinary recommendations to the People & Engagement Manager.
Performance Management
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Support leaders with coaching, documentation, and performance improvement.
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Coordinate performance review processes and development conversations.
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Promote accountability while recognizing employee achievements.
Compliance
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Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
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Maintain accurate employee files and HRIS records.
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Ensure policies and procedures are consistently administered.
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Assist with audits and compliance reporting.
Employee Engagement
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Plan employee appreciation events and recognition programs.
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Coordinate communication initiatives that strengthen engagement.
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Support retention strategies and employee wellness initiatives.
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Encourage employee feedback and continuous improvement.
Leadership Partnership
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Partner with site leadership to support operational goals.
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Provide guidance on People & Engagement policies and best practices.
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Analyze workforce trends and recommend improvements.
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Support organizational change initiatives.
Safety & Training
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Coordinate onboarding and required compliance training.
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Partner with Environmental Health & Safety to support safety initiatives.
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Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications:
Required
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Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
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Minimum of 5 years of progressive Human Resources experience.
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Manufacturing, food production, distribution, or industrial experience preferred.
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Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws.
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Experience conducting investigations and managing employee relations.
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Experience with recruiting and onboarding.
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
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Ability to influence leaders and build strong working relationships.
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High level of integrity and confidentiality.
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Excellent organizational and time management skills.
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Experience using HRIS systems and Microsoft Office.
Preferred
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SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
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Multi-site manufacturing experience.
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Experience supporting hourly workforces in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
Core Competencies
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Employee Relations
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Leadership Coaching
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Conflict Resolution
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Employment Law
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Recruiting
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Performance Management
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Communication
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Business Partnership
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Problem Solving
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Organization & Planning
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Confidentiality
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Change Management
Physical Requirements
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Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout the manufacturing facility.
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Ability to travel occasionally between company locations and attend off-site meetings.
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Ability to work in an environment with exposure to production noise, dust, and varying temperatures.
Our Values in Action:
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We Aim Higher – Deliver quality and efficiency on every pallet; continuously look for ways to improve our processes.
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We Make It Work – Solve problems quickly and keep production moving; flexibility and a hands-on mentality are key.
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We Grow United – Collaborate with your team and support colleagues to achieve shared goals.
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We Do What’s Right – Follow safety, quality, and operational standards; act responsibly in all tasks.
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We Thrive on Passion – Bring energy, care for animals, and dedication to producing top-quality pet food.
Equal Opportunity Employer: United Petfood Producers USA Inc. is an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
