Employee Relations / Labor Relations Partner

Open your future to incredible career potential. Work for an industry-leader who invests in their people. Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is North America’s preeminent wine and spirits distributor, as well as a family-owned, privately held company with a 50+ year legacy of success. We were named by Newsweek as a Most Loved Workplace and are included on the Forbes lists for Largest Private Companies and Best Employers for Diversity.

As a full-time employee, you can choose from a full menu of our Top Shelf Benefits, including comprehensive medical and prescription drug coverage, dental and vision plans, tax-saving Flexible Spending Accounts, disability coverage, life insurance plans, and a 401(k) plan. We also offer tuition reimbursement, a wellness program, parental leave, vacation accrual, paid sick leave, and more.

At Southern Glazer’s, you’ll enjoy an environment where continuous learning and growth are supported and experience a culture where you are respected, and your voice is heard. If you’re looking to fill your glass with opportunity, come join our FAMILY.

Overview

The Employee Relations Partner provides strategic human capital support that aligns with priorities of the business. Establishes and drives the Employee Relations Center of Excellence (COE). Reports directly to the Regional Director, Employee Relations and conducts prompt, thorough, objective, and confidential employee and grievance investigations. Assists in field management by interpreting and applying company policies and procedures, as well as any applicable collective bargaining agreements as they relate to legal compliance, labor relations, and employee issues.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide employee and labor relations support in partnership with the Human Resource Business Partner (HRBP) and other Human Resources (HR) Centers of Excellence (CoE) to ensure proper handling of various issues
• Assist in resolving, coaching, and guiding managers through employee/labor relations issues in partnership with HRBP to ensure compliance with company policies and/or collective bargaining agreements
• Act as the primary investigator of employee complaints and grievances within assigned client groups
• Conduct prompt, thorough, and objective workplace investigations of complaints of misconduct and/or policy violations, as assigned by the HR Regional Leadership, utilizing proven and acceptable investigative techniques and in accordance with company policy and procedures and applicable collective bargaining agreements
• Conduct in-person, on-site interviews with complainant(s), witnesses, and individuals against whom complaints are filed, to gather and analyze the facts associated with the complaints
• Provide findings and recommendations to Regional HR Leadership and Legal counsel based on investigative fact-finding and analysis
• Review investigation findings with relevant parties and monitor workplace to ensure compliance with recommendations
• Partner with HRBP and other HR COE to ensure proper handling of employee complaints and workplace issues
• Develop and provide employee/labor relations training to field managers (e.g. TIPPS training, Just Cause Training, etc.)
• Facilitate Joint Labor Management Meetings and, where applicable, Joint Council grievance hearings, and participate in ad-hoc negotiations of Letters of Understandings and other formal/informal agreements with labor unions
• Investigate and recommend resolutions to resolve grievances between the grieving employee/union and the company
• Provide the HR support to business leaders and the legal department in collective bargaining sessions
• End-to-end responsibility and execution of reductions in force and terminations in partnership with the HRBP for the client group
• Administration and delivery of performance improvement plans and disciplinary actions via corrective action/performance management in accordance with company policies and ABC compliance
• Responsible for employee files along with regular employee file audits and maintenance of I-9 documentation
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Additional Primary Responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor s Degree and five years of experience or equivalent education and related experience
• Ability to think systemically and consult strategically will all levels of management
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple complex investigations and/or issues, especially when resource constrained
• Ability to effectively collaborate with other members of the HR team, internal and external Legal Counsel, and other groups in managing employee relations matters
• Experience in the areas of employee/labor relations, internal investigations, conflict resolution, grievance handling, ad-hoc negotiations, and related matters
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and negotiation skills
• Proven success in interacting and influencing senior/executive leadership
• Ability to Travel: 15-20% within the region

Physical Demands

• Physical demands include a considerable amount of time sitting and typing/keyboarding, using a computer (e.g., keyboard, mouse, and monitor)
• Physical demands with activity or condition may occasionally include walking, bending, reaching, standing, and stooping
• May require occasional lifting/lowering, pushing, carrying, or pulling up to 20lbs

EEO Statement

Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, an Affirmative Action/EEO employer, prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. SGWS complies with all federal, state and local laws concerning consideration of a qualified applicant’s arrest and/or criminal conviction records. Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits provides competitive compensation based on estimated performance level consistent with the past relevant experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education of employees. Unless otherwise expressly stated, any pay ranges posted here are estimates from outside of Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits and do not reflect Southern Glazer’s pay bands or ranges.

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