Employee and Labor Relations Specialist

About the role

The Employee & Labor Relations Specialist serves as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees, helping create a fair, consistent, and legally compliant workplace. In a manufacturing environment where safety, productivity, and consistency are paramount, this role manages employee relations issues, supports nonunion labor strategies, and ensures clear, respectful workplace practices. The specialist partners closely with People & Culture Business Partners and operations leadership to resolve concerns, improve work environments, and build better employee relations.

Responsibilities

- Develop employee relations strategies to support proactive communication, fair practices, strong leadership, and a respectful culture to create an environment where employees are heard, valued, and safe. - Partner with supervisors and managers to coach on effective employee management, documentation, and conflict resolution. - Analyze trends in complaints, absenteeism, turnover, and corrective actions; recommend and deploy timely interventions. - Working closely with legal, conduct investigations related to policy violations, performance concerns, misconduct, and other workplace issues. - Support company culture by reinforcing values, communication expectations, and consistent employment practices. - Support vulnerability assessments and proactive retention/engagement strategies including stay interviews, exit interviews, and environmental scans to guide strategic improvements. - Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEOC, NLRA, etc.). - Support regulatory audits and maintain accurate documentation of employment actions. - Collaborate with Safety, Operations, and P&C teams to ensure policies reinforce a safe and inclusive workplace. - Guide managers through performance counseling, corrective action, and performance improvement plans. - Support the facilitation of training for supervisors on topics such as harassment prevention, documentation, and effective employee communication. - Comfortable spending time on the shop floor with frontline teams in manufacturing floor and office settings. - Weekly travel between two Colorado manufacturing facilities. - Requires availability across shifts to support employees and leaders as needed.

Qualifications

Required: - Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or related field. - 3–5 years of experience in employee relations and labor relations in a manufacturing or industrial environment. - Comprehensive understanding of employment laws and workplace investigation methods. - Demonstrated ability to build trust with employees and leaders at all levels. - Proficient in communicating clearly, resolving conflicts constructively, and approaching problems with practical solutions. Preferred: - Experience working in a unionized environment (grievance handling, contract interpretation, or bargaining). - HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRMCP/SCP) or labor relations credential. - Experience supporting multishift manufacturing environments.

Competencies

- Sound judgment and discretion. - Emotional intelligence. - Labor & employment law knowledge. - Conflict resolution. - Relationship building. - Data driven decision making. - Neutrality and fairness. - Coaching & facilitation skills.

What We Offer

We offer an exciting position with great development opportunities in an inspiring environment at the world's number one wind turbine producer. We value initiative, responsibility, and accuracy. You will become part of an international environment with a commitment to sustainability and safety and you will work among colleagues that support one another. - Attractive salary and one of the most comprehensive benefits plans in the industry. - Great benefits coverage that includes dental and vision. - Generous Paid Time Off policies. - Great 401(k) plan (with employer match). - Tuition assistance.

Pay

Salary $95,000-$115,000/year

DEIB Statement

At Vestas, we recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in driving innovation and success. We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, particularly those who may hesitate due to their identity or feel they do not meet every criterion. As our CEO states, "Expertise and talent come in many forms, and a diverse workforce enhances our ability to think differently and solve the complex challenges of our industry". Your unique perspective is what will help us powering the solution for a sustainable, green energy future.