HR Generalist

Primary Purpose: The Human Resources Generalist helps support the day-to-day human resources needs of a fast-paced manufacturing facility. This position partners with employees and leaders across production, quality, maintenance, warehouse, sanitation, and administrative functions to promote a safe, respectful, compliant, and productive workplace. The Generalist provides hands-on support in recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, benefits, leave administration, training, performance management, HR systems, and policy administration. This role will work onsite, full-time in Elgin, IL. Candidates must reside within the Elgin, IL area.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as an accessible, trusted HR resource for employees, supervisors, and managers across assigned shifts.
• Coordinate full-cycle recruitment for hourly and salaried positions, including job postings, applicant screening, interviews, offers, pre-employment requirements, and new-hire orientation.
• Coordinate with staffing agencies to monitor and direct plant temporary employee workforce.
• Support onboarding and employee integration by ensuring required documentation, training, system access, and policy acknowledgments are completed accurately and on time.
• Provide guidance on workplace policies, attendance, performance expectations, corrective action, and consistent application of company practices.
• Receive and address employee concerns; assist HR manager with investigations and documentation.
• Administer employee changes and records in the HR information system, including hires, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, leaves, and separations.
• Assist employees with payroll or timekeeping questions, and other HR programs; coordinate with internal specialists and external vendors as needed.
• Support performance management, training coordination, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Help maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment requirements, record-retention rules, and company policies.
• Prepare reports, employee communications, and HR metrics while maintaining accurate and confidential records.
• Provide HR coverage across shifts and adjust work hours occasionally to support employees and business needs.
• Assist with compliance verifications on the production floor, working with managers and supervisors to support employee compliance requirements.
• Assist with social compliance audit preparation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Qualities and Skills Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.
• One to three years of progressive human resources experience, preferably supporting manufacturing, food production, distribution, or another operations-based environment.
• Working knowledge of employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and employment compliance.
• Experience with HR information systems, applicant-tracking systems, timekeeping systems, and Microsoft Office applications. Strong knowledge in Microsoft Excel.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills are preferred but not required.
• Strong interpersonal, listening, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build credibility with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organization, follow-through, and attention to detail in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to interpret and consistently apply policies, procedures, and employment requirements.
• Comfort working on the manufacturing floor and responding calmly to competing priorities.

Supervisory Responsibility:

No direct supervision required.

Work Environment:

Typical office working environment which includes a workstation equipped with a computer and other office supplies necessary for daily tasks. Typically climate-controlled to provide a comfortable working temperature year-round. Lighting is usually a mix of natural and artificial sources to ensure sufficient lamination. This role will also require time spent in the production and warehouse environments where temperatures range from 30-45 degrees on a daily basis.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time hourly position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday. Expectations of 40-45 hours per week, to be worked during normal business hours.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements for an office environment typically include:

1. Sitting: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or workstation.
2. Typing: Frequent use of hands to type on a keyboard and operate a computer mouse.
3. Visual Requirements: Extended periods of viewing a computer screen and reading printed or digital documents.
4. Mobility: Occasional walking or standing, including moving between different areas of the office, production and warehouse environments.
5. Manual Dexterity: The ability to handle office equipment, such as phones, printers, and copiers, and to file documents.
6. Communication: Clear verbal and written communication skills for interacting with colleagues, clients, and vendors.
7. Lifting: Occasionally lifting and carrying light objects, typically up to 20 pounds, such as files, documents, or office supplies.
8. Reaching and Bending: Reaching above shoulder height and bending to access files and office supplies.
9. Hearing: Adequate hearing ability to participate in meetings and teleconferences.

These requirements ensure that employees can perform their duties effectively and safely within an office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Compensation and Benefits:

The budgeted salary range for this position is $58,000-$62,000, with a 10% annual bonus potential.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with 4.5% employer contribution
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee wellness programs

Salary range is based on consideration of required qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications or seniority, etc. Schuman Cheese reserves the right to offer the selected candidate or applicant an hourly rate or salary at an appropriate level to be set and determined by Schuman Cheese that is commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications, experience, education, skill, training, certifications or seniority.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa, including STEM OPT candidates, at this time.

Schuman Cheese does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be held liable for recruiter fees associated with unsolicited resumes.

For remote positions only:

Candidates must reside in one of the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, Wyoming or Wisconsin. This arrangement ensures that all remote work is conducted from one of these approved locations.

AI Recruiting Notice: Schuman Cheese may use AI-assisted tools to support recruiting activities, including candidate sourcing, job description development, and recruitment communications. AI is used only to assist our recruiting team. All hiring decisions are made by qualified Schuman Cheese employees following human review and evaluation.

For four generations, the Schuman family has earned a reputation for delivering world-class cheese solutions to customers around the globe.

Whether importing the best cheeses from Europe, making award-winning cheeses in Wisconsin or crafting inspired new cheese products, Schuman Cheese has never strayed from our core purpose:

To enhance everyday eating experiences with the highest quality cheese.