HR Generalist

About the role

The Human Resources Generalist supports day-to-day human resources operations and partners closely with the corporate HR team to deliver effective, compliant, and employee-focused HR services. This role provides comprehensive support across benefits administration, employee relations, training, onboarding, policy implementation, recruitment, employment practices, and serves as a payroll backup across multiple divisions. It is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a fast-growing organization while working in a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Administer employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 401(k), FMLA, and flexible spending accounts.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee benefit questions, resolving routine benefit-related issues and clearly explaining plan eligibility and administrative procedures.
• Maintain benefit plan eligibility systems and records, auditing information for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies and regulations.
• Manage benefit enrollment status for new hires, terminated employees, retirees, and other employee status changes, ensuring timely and accurate updates.
• Conduct individual meetings with employees to explain available benefit options and assist them with informed enrollment decisions.
• Prepare employee communications, educational materials, and resources related to benefit programs and plan offerings.
• Administer and track leave-of-absence claims and benefit program requirements, ensuring timely follow-up and accurate documentation.
• Prepare payroll-related benefit enrollments and changes, including verification of deductions, FSA contributions, and termination-related updates.
• Serve as a payroll backup across multiple divisions by assisting with payroll processing, reviewing time and attendance information, verifying employee status changes, and supporting deductions and benefit-related payroll updates.
• Help ensure payroll is processed accurately, promptly, and in compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.
• Conduct or coordinate background checks and employee eligibility verifications for new hires.
• Review, track, and maintain employee training records, skills-training matrices, and required compliance documentation.
• Support new-hire orientation, onboarding activities, and employee-recognition programs to enhance employee engagement and retention.
• Perform administrative tasks supporting compensation, benefits, leave administration, employee records, and talent-management processes.
• Respond to employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors, escalating sensitive or complex matters when appropriate.
• Enter and maintain workers' compensation accident investigation information and support required follow-up documentation.
• Participate in employee-relations matters, including minor disciplinary meetings, terminations, and workplace investigations.
• Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, company policies, established procedures, and recommended HR practices.
• Maintain current knowledge of HR trends, regulatory changes, emerging technologies, payroll practices, talent management, and employment law.
• Interpret collective bargaining agreements and support grievance-related matters in a unionized environment.
• Contribute to performance management and talent management processes, helping leaders address employee performance and development needs.
• Provide general HR administration and HR support, including data entry, HR systems maintenance, and administrative support for HR programs.

Requirements

• Minimum of three years of human resources experience required, preferably in a generalist capacity.
• Direct experience working within a manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Union experience required, including employee relations, collective bargaining agreement interpretation, grievance-related matters, and compliance with union requirements.
• Payroll experience required, including payroll processing, time and attendance review, payroll deductions, employee status changes, and handling confidential payroll records.
• Hands-on experience administering employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 401(k), FMLA, FSA contributions, and benefit-related payroll deductions.
• Experience managing leave-of-absence requirements and tracking related documentation.
• Experience using HRIS and payroll systems required; Paycom experience strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, work independently, and demonstrate consistent follow-through.
• Strong problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and a sense of urgency when addressing employee and business needs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, conflict-resolution, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and build effective working relationships at all levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Experience supporting a unionized workforce, including disciplinary meetings, terminations, workplace investigations, and grievance processes.
• Experience with HR administration, HR support, and HR systems maintenance.
• Background in human resource management, talent management, performance management, and compliance.
• Strong administrative support and data entry skills in an HR environment.
• Ability to interpret and apply company policies and procedures consistently.
• Bilingual English and Spanish skills are a plus.

Work environment

This is a full-time, on-site role in a manufacturing environment, working Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position requires regular collaboration with a corporate HR team and interaction with employees across multiple divisions, including a unionized workforce. Work involves frequent use of HRIS and payroll systems, benefits administration platforms, and standard office technologies such as Microsoft Office. The environment is fast-paced and growth-oriented, offering the opportunity to contribute to a rapidly expanding organization while maintaining high standards of compliance, accuracy, and employee service.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $85,000.00 - $90,000.00/yr.

Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Location: Marlborough, MA
Workplace type: Fully onsite
Position type: Permanent