Employee Recognition Program Specialist

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies employing over 5,000 team members. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, First Quality produces high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions, as well as raw materials and components like flexible print and packaging solutions. Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth in a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning and professional development.

About the role

We are seeking an Employee Recognition Program Specialist to develop and implement strategies and programs that recognize the milestones, contributions, and achievements of First Quality’s team members. This role builds a culture of appreciation, ensuring team members feel valued while extending that spirit into the communities we serve. You will partner cross-functionally to design impactful tools and initiatives that resonate across the organization, manage branded merchandise from vendor relationships to budget oversight, and lead our charitable giving strategy, including product donations and employee fundraising initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a technology platform to streamline and automate recognition, tracking milestones, anniversaries, and recognition history
• Partner with leaders across the organization to build recognition programs and events that are meaningful, inclusive, and aligned with company culture
• Collaborate with senior leadership, HR, and Communications to ensure engagement messaging resonates across operations and non-operations audiences, facilitating cross-functional committees to standardize best practices
• Develop recognition program policies and procedures with HR that balance consistency and flexibility across the organization
• Own the full lifecycle of branded merchandise, including vendor selection, inventory management, curation, pricing, and purchase orders
• Build and negotiate key vendor relationships and contracts to secure competitive pricing through volume discounts and long-term partnerships
• Provide creative direction on merchandise design and trend-spotting to ensure all branded items reflect company visual identity
• Lead Human Resource’s charitable giving strategy, serving as the primary point of contact for large-scale donation requests and enterprise-wide community partnerships
• Coordinate large-scale, cross-divisional product donations, ensuring proper approvals and alignment with brand and philanthropic goals
• Plan and execute employee fundraising campaigns, managing logistics, budgets, and vendor relationships
• Analyze recognition, merchandise, and giving program data to identify trends and opportunities, developing reports and dashboards to track impact
• Conduct ongoing benchmarking across all program areas to ensure they remain competitive, cost-efficient, and best in class

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent work experience
• 4+ years of experience in rewards and recognition program management, employee engagement, or a related HR/communications function
• Demonstrated experience building or significantly contributing to recognition programs from the ground up
• Proven vendor management experience, including contract negotiation, pricing discussions, and relationship building — with a track record of securing favorable terms
• Experience managing branded merchandise programs, including knowledge of swag ordering processes and brand compliance
• Familiarity with recognition platforms or digital tools used to manage and automate employee programs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong Excel and PowerPoint skills; ability to analyze data and translate insights into clear presentations
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present program updates and insights to a variety of audiences

Skills

• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and business stakeholders
• Self-motivated and able to work with short deadlines and competing demands
• Strong accountability and completion of tasks without close supervision
• Embraces an entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to explore new ideas and drive execution
• Open to candid feedback and brings initiative, humility, and a strong desire to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $3,750)
• Bundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums