Associate Director, Business Partners & Employee Relations

About this opportunity :

The Associate Director, HRBP & Employee Relations is responsible for managing and overseeing all employee relations activities and providing HR business partnership within the manufacturing organization across the Nitto Avecia Ohio and Massachusetts sites. This is a hands-on senior HR role which drives initiatives to support a positive and engaging workplace. This role focuses on strategic business partnership, workforce planning, resolving conflicts, conducting investigations, and ensuring compliance with labor laws and company policies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a team of HR Business Partners, ensuring strategic alignment with organizational goals and consistent delivery of HR support across departments.
• Oversee Employee Relations across multiple sites, ensuring consistent application of policies, effective resolution of complex employee issues, and alignment with company values and legal requirements.
• Act as a business partner to department leadership, providing strategic insights and guidance on workforce planning and talent retention strategies to enhance productivity and support operational goals.
• Offer strategic support, coaching and training to managers in handling performance management, employee relations issues, and conflict resolution, ensuring consistent application of company policies.
• Collaborate with legal counsel to ensure compliance with employment laws, regulations, and internal policies, minimizing legal risks and maintain detailed and confidential documentation related to investigations, grievances, and employee relations cases.
• Optimize organizational design to increase productivity and improve business performance.
• Partner with HR leadership to align human resource strategies with business objectives and drive organizational change and transformation.
• Partner with HR leadership to develop employee engagement initiatives aimed at improving morale and reducing turnover.
• Implement reward and recognition interventions to increase bottom-line results and employee engagement.
• Lead objective investigations into complex employee concerns and workplace conflicts, guiding the resolution process to ensure fairness and adherence to company values.
• Monitor HR trends and recommend solutions to address recurring issues or areas of concern.
• Regularly review and update employee handbooks and policies to reflect legal updates and best practices.
• Manage the offboarding process, ensuring a smooth and respectful transition for departing employees, conducting exit interviews to gather feedback, and identifying opportunities for improving retention and engagement.
• This position requires 25% travel.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in human resources, with a strong focus on employee relations.
• Experience supporting employee relations in a manufacturing or industrial setting, with a strong understanding of the unique challenges and dynamics of this type of workforce.
• Proven track record of managing complex employee relations issues and investigations.
• Thorough knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
• Excellent mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• High level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
• HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP) preferred.