Overview:
At Coborn’s, we know that strong teams and great leaders are at the heart of a successful business. We’re looking for an experienced and collaborative Human Resources Business Partner to serve as a trusted partner to Operations leadership and help shape the people strategies that support our stores, employees, and continued growth.
In this role, you’ll support assigned locations and work closely with operational leaders to understand their business, workforce needs, and opportunities. You’ll provide strategic HR guidance across employee relations, workforce planning, talent management, organizational effectiveness, performance management, leadership development, and change initiatives.
This is a highly visible, relationship-driven role for an HR professional who enjoys being connected to the business, coaching leaders, solving complex people challenges, and helping teams grow stronger. You’ll also provide leadership and direction to designated HR Generalists and/or HR Coordinators while partnering with HR teams across the organization to deliver consistent and effective people practices.
If you enjoy combining HR expertise with business strategy and want the opportunity to make an impact across multiple locations, this could be a great next step in your HR career.
What You'll Do at Coborn's
As our Human Resources Business Partner, you’ll be a trusted advisor to Operations leadership and an important connection between our business leaders and Human Resources team. You’ll build a strong understanding of district operations, workforce trends, business priorities, and the competitive labor environment to help leaders make thoughtful and effective people decisions.
In this role, you will:
- Serve as a trusted HR advisor to Operations leadership, translating business priorities, workforce challenges, and operational needs into practical people strategies and solutions.
- Partner with leaders on workforce planning, organizational structure, employee engagement, retention, leadership capability, and organizational change.
- Use workforce data, trends, and HR metrics to identify opportunities, recommend solutions, and evaluate effectiveness.
- Provide HR guidance that thoughtfully balances employee needs, business objectives, organizational consistency, and risk.
- Consult with leaders on complex employee relations matters, including performance, conduct, workplace concerns, policy interpretation, corrective action, and employment decisions.
- Conduct and/or oversee thorough, timely, and objective workplace investigations and provide recommendations for appropriate action.
- Coach leaders on performance management, employee development, conflict resolution, engagement, retention, and effective leadership practices.
- Identify employee relations and workforce trends and proactively partner with leaders to address underlying concerns and mitigate risk.
- Partner with Operations, Talent Acquisition, and other HR teams to understand current and future talent needs and develop effective staffing, retention, and workforce strategies.
- Lead succession planning efforts, helping identify critical roles, high-potential talent, leadership gaps, and development priorities.
- Partner with leaders to strengthen succession pipelines and support the development of current and emerging leaders.
- Support new stores, acquisitions, restructures, and other significant business initiatives through workforce planning, staffing strategy, and change management.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to designated HR Generalists and/or HR Coordinators to support consistent HR practices and priorities throughout the district.
- Partner with HR Centers of Excellence and other HR teams to effectively implement company programs, practices, and initiatives.
- Help ensure Operations leaders have the HR knowledge, tools, and training needed to effectively lead their teams.
- Provide guidance and interpretation regarding company policies, employment practices, and applicable federal, state, and local employment requirements.
- Identify and escalate significant employee relations, compliance, or organizational risks and partner with the appropriate resources to support resolution.
- Champion Coborn’s culture, employee engagement, and organizational values through visible leadership and partnership throughout the locations.
Why You'll Love This Role
This is an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on both our people and our business. Rather than supporting just one team or location, you’ll partner with leaders across the orginazation and help influence how we attract, develop, engage, and retain great employees.
You’ll spend time where the business happens, building relationships with leaders, visiting locations, coaching through real-world challenges, identifying workforce trends, and helping teams navigate change. At the same time, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to broader HR strategies and initiatives by partnering with Talent Acquisition and other HR teams across Coborn’s.
You’ll also have the opportunity to develop other HR professionals by providing leadership and direction to designated HR Generalists and/or HR Coordinators, helping create a consistent and supportive HR experience.
If you enjoy building trusted relationships, developing leaders, solving complex problems, and connecting people strategies to business results, this role offers the opportunity to make a difference throughout our employee-owned company.
What's In It For Me?
Our remarkable employees are at the heart of everything we do. At Coborn’s, we’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding workplace—one that offers a vibrant, team-oriented environment, ongoing career growth, and meaningful benefits. As an employee-owned company, we believe in investing in our people and their futures.
We’re proud to offer a variety of benefits to both our full-time and part-time employees, including:
- 10% employee discount on grocery items, with additional franchise-specific discounts available at company owned Ace Hardware, Caribou Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert’s, and Pet Supplies Plus locations.
- Get Paid Daily with DailyPay – for employees who would like access to their pay before payday, we offer this great benefit!
- Paid Time Off (PTO/Vacation)
- Paid Floating Holidays & time and a half (1 ½) paid for hours worked on a company-recognized holiday!
- Sunday Premium Pay – an extra $1 per hour for hours worked on Sundays (some exclusions apply)
- Paid Military Leave
- Employee recognition programs with monetary rewards including in-store vouchers, years of service, and employee of the month
- Employee Health & Wellness Programs, Challenges and Resources – to assist our team members in living a life of wellbeing!
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – unlimited phone access to legal, financial, and work-life services and up to five free in-person counseling sessions, per situation/issue, per year
- Access to a national discount marketplace for travel, electronics, auto/home insurance , entertainment and more!
- Tools, resources and opportunities for career growth and development
- 401(k) plan options – we also match up to 20% of the first 5% contributed
- Participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) – yes, we’re employee-owned! Our team members benefit from the success of the company through this company-sponsored benefit!
- Education benefits including tuition discount and scholarship programs
- Additional Voluntary Benefits – such as vision, accident and critical illness insurances
If you’re hired or promoted into a full-time position with our company, you will also be eligible for: Medical & Dental Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Adoption Reimbursement, Paid Family Caregiver Leave, as well as company-sponsored Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance!
Requirements:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred.
- Five (5) or more years of progressive Human Resources experience, including experience with employee relations, leadership consultation, talent management, and workforce planning.
- HR Business Partner, HR Manager, or multi-location HR experience preferred.
- Previous experience providing leadership, coaching, or direction to HR professionals preferred.
What You'll Bring
- Strong business acumen with the ability to understand operational needs and translate them into effective HR strategies and solutions.
- Strong employee relations, workplace investigation, performance management, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and influence leaders at multiple levels of an organization.
- Strong communication, consultation, facilitation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Knowledge of employment practices and applicable federal and state employment requirements.
- Sound judgment and discretion when working with confidential or sensitive employee matters.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-location environment.
- A collaborative approach and ability to partner effectively across Operations and Human Resources teams.
Technology & Systems
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook.
- Experience working with HRIS, applicant tracking, workforce management, reporting and business intelligence tools, and other HR technology platforms.
Travel & Licensure
- Ability to travel locally and regionally up to 50% to support business needs across assigned locations.
- Valid driver’s license and insurance with the ability to travel to company locations and other business locations as needed.
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or a similar Human Resources certification preferred.
We believe that building a team of people with different backgrounds, beliefs, experiences and perspectives inspires fresh thinking and opens us up to new possibilities. We are an EEO/AA Employer - All qualified individuals, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
What's In It For Me:
Our remarkable employees are at the heart of everything we do. At Coborn’s, we’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding workplace—one that offers a vibrant, team-oriented environment, ongoing career growth, and meaningful benefits. As an employee-owned company, we believe in investing in our people and their futures.
We’re proud to offer a variety of benefits to both our full-time and part-time employees, including:
- 10% employee discount on grocery items, with additional franchise-specific discounts available at company owned Ace Hardware, Caribou Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert’s, and Pet Supplies Plus locations.
- Get Paid Daily with DailyPay – for employees who would like access to their pay before payday, we offer this great benefit!
- Paid Time Off (PTO/Vacation)
- Paid Floating Holidays & time and a half (1 ½) paid for hours worked on a company-recognized holiday!
- Sunday Premium Pay – an extra $1 per hour for hours worked on Sundays (some exclusions apply)
- Paid Military Leave
- Employee recognition programs with monetary rewards including in-store vouchers, years of service, and employee of the month
- Employee Health & Wellness Programs, Challenges and Resources – to assist our team members in living a life of wellbeing!
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – unlimited phone access to legal, financial, and work-life services and up to five free in-person counseling sessions, per situation/issue, per year
- Access to a national discount marketplace for travel, electronics, auto/home insurance , entertainment and more!
- Tools, resources and opportunities for career growth and development
- 401(k) plan options – we also match up to 20% of the first 5% contributed
- Participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) – yes, we’re employee-owned! Our team members benefit from the success of the company through this company-sponsored benefit!
- Education benefits including tuition discount and scholarship programs
- Additional Voluntary Benefits – such as vision, accident and critical illness insurances
If you’re hired or promoted into a full-time position with our company, you will also be eligible for: Medical & Dental Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Adoption Reimbursement, Paid Family Caregiver Leave, as well as company-sponsored Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance!
Pay Range:
USD $63,000.00 - USD $99,000.00 /Yr.
Company Introduction:
Are you friendly, dependable, and passionate about working with people? At Coborn’s, Inc., we love serving our guests, supporting our communities, and helping our team members grow their careers. If you’re looking for a place where you can build a future while making a positive impact every day, we’d love to talk to you about joining our team!
Coborn's, Inc. is a fast-growing, employee-owned grocery retailer proudly serving communities across the Midwest. Our family of grocery stores includes Coborn's, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods, Hornbacher's, Tadych’s Marketplace Foods, Sullivan’s Foods, and Kessler’s. We offer our guests an elevated shopping experience—both in-store and online—focused on freshness, value, and convenience. Guided by our company vision to inspire happiness, healthy living, and simplicity, this principle has fueled our growth for more than 100 years and is at the heart of everything we do.
Coborn’s, Inc. also owns and operates liquor stores under the Coborn’s Liquor, Cash Wise Liquor, Andy’s Liquor, and Captain Jack’s brands. In addition, we operate fuel kiosks and convenience store locations under the Little Dukes and Coborn’s Express names. Many of our grocery stores also feature full-service pharmacies to support the health and wellness of our guests. We manage a variety of other retail businesses in markets where the fit is right, including Ace Hardware, Country Floral Gifts & Greenhouse, Caribou Coffee, Dunn Brothers Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert’s, Godfather’s Pizza, and Pet Supplies Plus. To support our diverse retail operations, we operate our own central bakery, fresh foods commissary, and grocery warehouse and distribution center.