Senior Employee Relations Specialist (Kansas City, MO)

The Senior Employee Relations Specialist fosters a positive work environment by addressing and investigating employee relations issues and concerns. This role involves managing employee relations programs, ensuring compliance with labor laws, and facilitating effective communication between human resources, management, and employees. The Senior Employee Relations Specialist builds and maintains partnerships across the business units to deliver value-added services to management and employees that support the organization's culture and business objectives.  This is an onsite opportunity located at our World Headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.

• Lead and resolve complex employee relations and equal opportunity issues by conducting effective, thorough, and objective investigations, ensuring compliance with company policies and federal, state, and local employment laws. Guide policy interpretation and application.
• Lead thorough and impartial investigations into employee complaints and grievances. Work closely with HR colleagues, legal counsel, and other stakeholders to ensure consistent and fair handling of employee relations matters. Provide resolution counseling and coaching.
• Capture and maintain comprehensive and detailed records within a case tool while maintaining a high level of confidentiality; develop documentation in response to employment-related matters; and liaise with legal/BP to prepare required documentation for employees, third parties or governmental agencies.
• Work closely with and serve as a trusted advisor to management and employees on employee relations matters, offering advice and support to improve work relationships, build morale, and increase productivity.
• Develop and deliver training programs on employee relations topics, such as conflict resolution, performance management, and workplace ethics. Conduct anti-harassment training across regions per federal and state requirements.
• Support the performance review process by providing training and guidance to managers and employees.
• Consult on the recommendation to develop disciplinary documents for underperforming employees.
• Conduct exit interviews, summarize findings, discuss trends and concerns with senior management, and partner with the Insights Manager to promote positive employee engagement. Understand current satisfaction levels with company policies, benefits programs, and management practices. Compile measurable exit data relevant to turnover and attrition to identify and address areas of potential improvement.
• Facilitate the interactive accommodation process under the ADA, advising management on reasonable accommodations.
• Maintain in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of employment laws and regulations and legal requirements related to the day-to-day management of employees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Prepare and present reports on employee relations activities and outcomes to senior management and HR Business Partners.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and instruction to less experienced staff.
• Responsible for QA/QC process adherence.
• Responsible for compliance with company and site safety policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

• Bachelor Degree in human resources, business administration, or related field and 8 years experience in employee relations or similar HR role is required.
• HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) is preferred.
• Ability to successfully work in a fast-paced environment and able to manage through ambiguity and change.
• Strong sense of accountability, high-quality judgment and sound decision-making.
• Proven experience managing and mentoring a team across diverse geographical regions.
• Strong communication, judgment, and interpersonal skills with demonstrated patience, tact, and respect.
• Ability to work with various Company functions, operating committee members, the Office of the General Counsel, and outside counsel on related issues.
• Ability to prepare, track, and maintain appropriate investigation documentation
• Ability to develop and implement investigation plans.
• Ability to drive timely closure of open cases/concerns.
• Ability to manage employee data and statements in a highly confidential manner.
• Ability to foster an effective, inclusive work environment/culture and relationships, balancing employee advocacy with stewardship of company goals and values.
• Ability to handle confidential information and escalate issues when appropriate.
• Ability to investigate workplace issues/concerns raised through internal Company channels and some externally filed complaints, including complaints of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other violations of Company policy.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment in recommending outcomes for investigations.
• Ability to partner with Human Resources and/or the Labor Relations team to ensure proper handling and disposition of these cases involving union-represented and salaried employees.
• Ability to partner cross-functionally on investigations, discipline, performance management, and other aspects of employee relations.
• Ability to effectively coach, counsel, and educate employees on HR policies, performance management, processes, programs, position eliminations, and strategies.
• Ability to support grievance, arbitration and litigation processes from investigations