Senior Employee Relations Specialist

About Us

Join us at WinCo Foods, where we're more than just a grocery retailer - we're a growing family of over 140 supermarkets in 10 states with over 22,000 employee owners. Our purpose is to make the lives our customers and employee owners better by offering the lowest possible prices to feed their families. Currently, WinCo is the second largest Employee-Owned company in the United States. With more than 500 millionaire employee-owners in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Our benefits, including top-tier medical plans and tuition support set us apart. In your role, you'll be instrumental in making a real impact in the communities we serve, embodying our purpose every day.

Overview

Job Summary

Performs professional high-level Human Resource employee relations related duties under the general direction of the Employee Relations Director.  Works closely with the Store Management, General Office Human Resource team, and regional employees.  Provides professional guidance to a team of ER Specialists.  Responsible for some or all of the following functional areas: employee relations, employment law compliance, investigations, policy compliance, training, coaching and providing human resource and employee relations recommendations and direction to management and employees.  Consistently provides friendly and engaging customer service to internal and external customers.  Perform related work.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the resolution of internal investigations including harassment, discrimination and retaliation concerns. Conduct investigation interviews with pertinent individuals, both remotely and in person.
• Conduct thorough investigations to identify applicable company policies and practices and determines when a company policy violation has occurred. Recommend action(s) to appropriately resolve the case and proactively prevent further occurrence. Expeditious management of complex employee relations issues and investigations including investigations related to alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, etc.
• Evaluate and provide comprehensive analysis involving extremely complicated and diverse employee relations issues determined by in-depth appraisal of company policy and procedures, related employment law and other factors.
• Design, develop and execute strategic programs and tactics to address employee relations concerns and trends.
• Provide leadership and guidance to ER Specialists on ER concerns and investigations.
• Develop and compose effective corrective action documents and performance improvement plans.
• Review escalated matters with appropriate stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Proactively identify opportunities to educate managers on employee relations trends, policy, and law.
• Identify potential policy revision or development necessary to meet the needs of the business.
• Maintain recordkeeping of all employee relations matters in the employee relations case management system. Monitor and analyze employee relations data to address identified themes.
• Take ownership of all assigned tasks, initiatives, inquiries, and escalations. Ensure cases are resolved and completed efficiently and with a high-level of quality. Follow up and provide feedback, guidance, and coaching to customers, stakeholders, and colleagues.
• Performs other duties as assigned or needed.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources (or related field) or equivalent experience in a formal Human Resource position such as Human Resource Generalist, Human Resource Business Partner, Employee Relations Specialist, Labor Relations Specialist, or similar in addition to experience listed below.

Experience:

• At least four (4) years of direct employee relations experience providing guidance to management and researching, investigating and responding to employee member issues and concerns.
• Demonstrating advanced knowledge of federal, state and local employment (EEO) and labor laws.
• Demonstrating strong knowledge in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.) software.
• Communicating both verbally (on phone, one-on-one, to groups) and in writing (emails, letters, reports, presentations) to various audiences (work group, team, company management, external clients, etc.).
• Utilizing time management skills such as prioritizing, organizing, tracking details and meeting deadlines of multiple projects with varying completion dates.
• Demonstrating success in objectively consulting employees and managers on employee relations issues of varied scope and complexity consistent with company protocol.
• Applying strong conflict resolution skills.
• Applying in-depth knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding employment practices related to the day-to-day management of employees to reduce legal risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conducting basic research, analyzing data, and preparing recommendations.
• Demonstrating a professional level of confidentiality handing sensitive applicant, employee and company information.
• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with team members, managers and employees.

Ability to:

• Consistently provide friendly and engaging customer service to internal and external customers.
• Manage a high volume of Employee Relations cases.
• Maintain a high level of integrity, confidentiality and a very professional attitude.
• Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills, including skill in writing thorough, logical, well-written analytical reports to convey complex issues.
• Travel up to 10% of the time for business purposes (within state and out of state).
• Multi-task and work in a fast-paced, often stressful, multiple-priority environment.
• Work independently and efficiently with minimal supervision (self-motivated, take initiative, and drive results).
• Be highly adaptable to change.
• Respond to calls on urgent matters including after business hours, on weekends and holidays.
• Perform all tasks with integrity and dependability.
• Sit, twist upper body and use both hands repetitively for extended periods of time.
• Perform all tasks with integrity and dependability.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable Department of Motor Vehicles driving record.

Machines and Equipment Operated:

• Office machines (multi-line telephone, computer terminal, copier/scanner, fax machine, laptop, cell phone, etc.).
• Motor vehicle

Preferred Education, Experience and/or Credentials:

• Multi-state experience, including specific experience with California, Washington and Oregon.
• Experience providing virtual Human Resources support to employees in multiple locations.
• Four (4) or more years of direct experience conducting investigations of harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
• Experience working in a customer service environment.
• Experience using a case management system.
• AWI-CH certification or relevant workplace investigation certification.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the employee(s) assigned to this job.  All employees must comply with Company policies and applicable laws.  The responsibilities, duties and qualifications required of personnel may vary. 

EEO/Inclusivity

As WinCo Foods continues to grow, our diversity—from our variety of perspectives and wide range of experiences—is essential to our strategy and success. We are committed to continue to cultivate and celebrate an inclusive environment in which all employees are valued and respected regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

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