Senior Human Resource Generalist

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

job purpose:  

The Senior HR Generalist serves as a key HR partner to plant leadership and employees, providing strategic and hands-on support across the full spectrum of HR functions within a manufacturing environment. This role supports daily HR operations while also contributing to longer term initiatives that strengthen culture, improve organizational capability, and ensure compliance. The Senior HR Generalist plays a critical role in employee relations, talent development, workforce planning, onboarding, training, policy administration, and employee engagement. This position requires strong judgment, the ability to balance business needs with employee advocacy, and the capacity to navigate a fast-paced, dynamic production setting. 

responsibilities:  

• Employee Relations & Workplace Support 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations issues; conduct fair, timely, and thorough investigations. 
• Provide guidance to supervisors and managers on performance management, coaching, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation. 
• Build trust and approachability across all levels of the plant, maintaining a visible presence on the production floor. 
• Partner with leadership to promote a positive, high engagement culture aligned with company values. 
• Talent Acquisition & Onboarding 
• Support full cycle recruiting for hourly and salaried plant roles, partnering closely with hiring managers and TA partners. 
• Partner with managers to assess workforce needs and support staffing plans. 
• Training, Development & Performance Management 
• Coach leaders on effective feedback, performance conversations, and development planning. 
• Support training coordination, including safety, compliance, technical skills, and leadership development. 
• Assist with performance management processes, ensuring consistency and documentation quality. 

HR Operations & Compliance 

• Ensure HR practices comply with federal, state, and local employment laws (including ADA, FLSA, Paid Sick Time, etc.). 
• Maintain accurate HR records, reporting, and data integrity in HRIS systems. 
• Support timekeeping and payroll accuracy through proactive audits and manager coaching. 
• Support leave of absence cases and partner with third party administrators to ensure timely and compliant handling. 
• Benefits, Compensation & Policy Administration 
• Assist employees with benefit questions, enrollments, and issue resolution. 
• Support compensation processes, including job evaluations, annual reviews, and pay changes. 
• Assist with the communication and rollout of new policies and procedures. 
• Culture, Engagement & Employee Experience 
• Partner with plant leadership on communication efforts, recognition programs, and culture building activities. 
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve employee experience. 
• Help facilitate town halls, listening sessions, and other communication forums. 
• Safety & Workforce Readiness 
• Support initiatives that promote safe work practices, attendance expectations, and readiness for shift work. 
• Strategic HR Partnership 
• Participate in HR projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and plantwide efforts to support operational excellence. 
• Act as a culture champion, balancing employee needs with business priorities to support long term success. 
• skills/qualifications required:  

Education 

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or related field preferred or related experience. 
• HR certification preferred (PHR, SPHR, SHRMCP, or SHRMSCP). 
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 2–3 years supporting a manufacturing, distribution, or similar industrial environment. 
• Strong experience in e