Job description
Join NorthGate Manufacturing as an Industrial Relations Manager in Chicago, IL. You will lead labor relations strategy, negotiations, and compliance across multiple facilities. This role blends policy design with hands-on stakeholder engagement to foster a productive, compliant, and safe workplace.
We seek a seasoned IR professional with a proven track record in collective bargaining, dispute resolution, risk management, and strategic partnering with operations, HR, and legal teams.
Key responsibilities include shaping bargaining strategies, administering contracts, guiding performance management, and ensuring adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.
Responsibility
- Lead and manage all industrial relations activities across facilities, including collective bargaining and contract administration.
- Develop and execute labor relations strategy to optimize productivity while ensuring compliance with labor laws and union contracts.
- Negotiate agreements, settlements, and handle grievances; partner with HR and operations to resolve issues promptly.
- Provide guidance on discipline, performance management, and policy interpretation aligned with company practices.
- Monitor legislative changes and regulatory developments; assess impact on operations and risk and communicate results to leadership.
- Coach managers on effective labor relations, conflict resolution, and union engagement.
- Prepare reports and analyses for executive leadership; manage IR budgets and external vendor relationships when applicable.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, or a related field; advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., SHRM-SCP, IRBP) preferred.
- Minimum 5-7 years of progressive experience in industrial or labor relations within manufacturing or unionized settings.
- Demonstrated success in collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievance resolution.
- Strong knowledge of federal and state labor laws, OSHA safety regulations, and HR compliance.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to analyze data, prepare presentations, and influence senior leadership.
- Willingness to travel 15-20% to multiple sites as needed.