HR Labor Relations Specialist
Location: Arlington, TX
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Schedule: Monday–Friday; core hours approximately 8:00 AM–2:30 PM with flexibility required to support 2nd and 3rd shifts as needed
Assignment Duration: 6 months with potential for extension and possible direct-hire opportunity
Position Summary
The HR Labor Relations Specialist will provide hands-on Human Resources and Labor Relations support within a fast-paced, unionized manufacturing environment. This position serves as a key resource for employees and leaders, providing guidance on employee relations, labor agreements, HR policies, performance management, workplace investigations, and employee engagement.
The ideal candidate will bring strong experience supporting hourly manufacturing employees and working with union representatives, with the ability to effectively interpret labor agreements, resolve employee concerns, coach leaders, and manage sensitive workplace matters.
Key Responsibilities
Labor & Employee Relations
- Provide high-touch HR support to employees by addressing workplace questions, concerns, and engagement needs.
- Interpret and administer local and national labor agreements, policies, procedures, and workplace practices.
- Maintain productive working relationships with union officials and employee representatives.
- Monitor implementation of labor policies related to wages, hours, attendance, and working conditions.
- Investigate, respond to, and resolve grievances in accordance with applicable labor agreements.
- Support shop committee discussions and work collaboratively with union representatives.
- Participate in or support collective bargaining and contract negotiations as required.
- Administer compensation practices for hourly and represented employees in accordance with collective bargaining agreements.
- Conduct and support workplace investigations involving employee concerns, discipline, performance, and other sensitive employee relations matters.
- Partner with HR, Legal, and Employee Relations resources on complex or higher-risk issues.
- Maintain knowledge of applicable employment laws and regulations to help mitigate risk and maintain compliance.
HR Business & Leadership Support
- Partner with employees, managers, and HR leadership to improve workplace relationships, morale, productivity, and retention.
- Coach and consult with leaders regarding employee relations, performance management, corrective actions, and workforce concerns.
- Identify leadership coaching needs and provide appropriate guidance and support.
- Support talent management and employee development initiatives through data, analysis, and implementation.
- Assist with onboarding activities for new employees.
- Conduct exit interviews, analyze attrition trends, and recommend opportunities for improvement.
- Support employee compensation and recognition activities in partnership with HR leadership.
- Identify opportunities for continuous improvement of HR processes, procedures, and business outcomes.
Manufacturing HR Operations
- Support day-to-day HR operations for an hourly manufacturing workforce.
- Assist with workforce processes including:
- Timekeeping and attendance
- Manpower planning
- Employee onboarding
- HR metrics and reporting
- Workforce systems such as Workday and Kronos
- Support employee engagement, development, recognition, and workplace culture initiatives.
- Partner with manufacturing leadership to support workforce needs across multiple shifts.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- 3–4 years of Human Resources/Labor Relations experience.
- Strong knowledge of HR policies, employment law, employee relations, and workplace practices.
- Demonstrated labor relations and contract administration experience within a unionized environment.
- Experience interpreting and applying collective bargaining agreements and managing employee grievances.
- Experience handling employee relations matters, workplace investigations, discipline, and performance concerns.
- Experience supporting leaders and hourly employees within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience supporting talent management, performance management, employee engagement, and leadership development initiatives.
- Strong coaching, consulting, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Ability to build relationships and effectively influence employees, leaders, and other stakeholders at all organizational levels.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Ability to work onsite and provide flexible support to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift operations as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Labor relations experience working with the UAW.
- Hands-on HR experience supporting employees directly on a manufacturing shop floor.
- Experience participating in or supporting collective bargaining and contract negotiations.
- Experience with Workday and/or Kronos or similar HR/workforce management systems.
Top Skills
- Labor Relations & Contract Administration – Ability to interpret and apply local and national labor agreements, manage grievances, support shop committee discussions, and partner effectively with union representatives.
- Employee Relations & Investigations – Experience handling hourly employee concerns, workplace investigations, discipline, performance matters, and risk-sensitive situations with strong judgment and documentation.
- Manufacturing HR Operations – Knowledge of hourly workforce processes including attendance, timekeeping, manpower planning, onboarding, HR systems, metrics, and reporting.
Interview Process
- Round 1: 30-minute Microsoft Teams interview with the hiring team.
- Round 2: Onsite interview, facility tour, and meetings with key team members.
Equal Opportunity Employer
EOE (including Disability/Veterans)
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