Director, Labor Relations

Your Opportunity as the Director, Labor Relations

Serves as Center of Excellence (COE) for all Labor and Employee Relations in support of the Operations/DC field teams.

Leads all labor relations activities across the organization, with full accountability for developing and executing strategies that support business and financial objectives. Provides expert guidance and strategic direction at all levels of the organization on a wide range of labor relations matters, including contract negotiations, grievance handling, arbitration, effects bargaining, compliance with the National Labor Relations Act, and resolution of NLRB charges. Cultivates and maintains strong, collaborative relationships with both local and International Union Representatives, as well as with key Operations leaders-including Vice Presidents, Plant Managers, Regional HR Managers, and HR Managers-to ensure alignment and effective communication across all union contracts. Manages 3rd party contractor serving as the Company's chief negotiator and directs/provides guidance to outside labor counsel on all Labor Matters including arbitrations/ULP's.

Oversees all Employee Relations (ER) activities across Operations and Distribution Center (DC) locations, providing strategic guidance and consultation on ER matters. Serves as the primary lead for investigations submitted through the Company Integrity Portal, including case assignment, review, and outcome recommendations to ensure fairness and consistency across the organization. Leads a team of Employee and Labor Relations Managers and a team lead, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment. As a key member of the Employee and Labor Relations (ER/LR) leadership team, contributes to the development and execution of enterprise-wide strategies and policies. Partners closely with the Director of Employee Relations to align ER philosophies and drive strategic initiatives across the manufacturing footprint.

Location: Working Remote USA or Orrville, OH (preferred)

In this role you will:

Union contract strategy, administration and negotiations and effects bargaining

• Serves as primary resource for contract negotiations, interpretations, application, and post negotiation implementation and documentation of contract changes.

• Primary facilitator in contract negotiation preparations, development of strategic and financial approaches for negotiations and for achieving results both operationally and financially.

• Responsible for negotiation process and guiding operational teams and unions to achieving a mutual agreement.

• Perform needs assessment within the organization to determine required contract changes (benefits, payroll, HRIS) and development of approach for achieving.

• Lead post-negotiation efforts within the Company and the Union on implementation of contract changes, development and approvals of new contract.

Employee Relations, Operations

• Provides guidance, recommendations on all Employee Relations investigation matters including serving as one of four key members of the Investigation Recommendation Committee (IRC).

• Partners with Compliance and Legal on Integrity Portal case management, the Code of Conduct, corrective action, and Investigation protocol oversight ensuring a consistent approach across the organization.

• Collaborates and provides guidance to site leadership on performance matters and improvement plans.

• Identifies opportunities and risk areas based on employee relation data/analytics and provides recommendations to senior leadership.

• Partners with the Director, Employee Relations regarding the development, harmonization and implementation of ER-LR strategies across the organization, as well as support needed for implementation of strategic initiatives.

Provide daily support on labor and employee relations issues; grievance handling, information requests, union inquiries, memorandums of agreement, contract administration/interpretation, disciplinary matters, last chance agreements, terminations, leave management, attendance issues. Serve as primary contact for Union International representatives for all US contracts on issue resolution, effects bargaining, development of side agreements, and negotiations. Serve as primary Company representative on arbitration preparations, arbitrations, NLRB inquires/charges, and settlement agreements. Key partner with Regional HR Teams and the Leaves and Accommodations team, provide guidance on ER/LR matters

Project work includes, but not limited to, guidance on M&A, pay practices, policy review/changes, benefit changes, and other Company wide projects that have LR/ER implications.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree

• 10+ years of experience in a unionized environment

• 10+ years of contract administration/interpretation, Labor Matters (ULP and arbitrations) and Leading Negotiation/negotiation preparation experience in multiple Union environment

• 10+ years of HR Employee Relations experience

• 5+ years of Employee Investigations experience

• 5+ years of Employe Relations consulting

• In depth strategic thinking, fact finding/development, decision-making, negotiation and conflict resolution skills

• Ability to recognize alternatives, evaluate relevant information, collect data/facts to support positions and provide counter proposals

• Demonstrate ability to generate new ideas and process improvements, challenge status quo.

• Knowledge of Federal and State Labor Law/Employment and compliance.

• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships while also having the ability to set boundaries

• Strong verbal/written communication skills and listening skills.

• Ability to assess investigations, provide constructive feedback and opine on outcomes

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience

Learn more about working at Smucker:

• Helping our Employees Thrive

• Delivering on Our Purpose

• Our Continued Commitment to Ensuring a Workplace for All

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