Job description
Join a leading manufacturing organization in Chicago as an Industrial Relations Manager. This is a strategic leadership role focused on strengthening labor relations, guiding negotiations, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
You will partner with HR, Legal, and Operations to protect the company's interests while fostering a fair and productive workplace. The ideal candidate combines deep IR expertise with strong business acumen and superb communication skills.
Responsibility
- Develop and execute the company's IR strategy to mitigate risk and improve employee relations metrics.
- Lead collective bargaining negotiations, prepare proposals, and manage contract administration.
- Advise senior management on compliance with labor laws and regulatory requirements including NLRA and OSHA.
- Manage relationships with unions, employee representatives, and internal stakeholders to resolve issues proactively.
- Oversee workplace investigations, disciplinary processes, and conflict resolution with integrity and fairness.
- Analyze labor data and HR metrics to inform policy updates and business decisions.
- Collaborate with HR, Legal, and Operations to resolve grievances and implement corrective actions.
- Represent the company in arbitrations and external inquiries as needed.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Law, Business, or related field; Master's preferred.
- Minimum 7 years of industrial relations or labor relations experience, preferably in manufacturing.
- Strong knowledge of NLRA, labor standards, wage and hour laws, and regulatory compliance.
- Proven experience leading collective bargaining and union contract administration.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Analytical thinker with experience using HRIS and data analytics to drive decisions.
- Ability to manage sensitive employee relations issues with discretion and integrity.
- Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, and cross functional collaboration.