HR Generalist

Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our people break through limitations and expectations daily, helping move our company—and the world—forward. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines.

The global Human Resource (HR) Function provides an integrated talent management system that delivers a workforce that is Corning's competitive differentiator. HR aligns solutions to business challenges by ensuring programs are effective, efficient, global, scalable, and repeatable. Corning’s Values are operationalized through Talent Management offerings and programs that make these values visible.

About the role

The Human Resources Generalist provides front-line HR support for manufacturing operations. This role partners with employees, supervisors, managers, and plant leadership to support employee relations, staffing, onboarding, compliance, workforce administration, employee engagement, and HR reporting. As an entry-level salaried role, the position is designed to build broad HR capability while providing responsive, visible support in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an approachable HR resource for hourly and salaried employees regarding company policies, procedures, benefits, payroll-related questions, and workplace concerns.
• Conduct initial fact-finding for routine employee relations issues and escalate complex or sensitive matters to the appropriate HR leader.
• Support investigations involving attendance, conduct, policy compliance, workplace concerns, and employee complaints.
• Partner with supervisors to address performance concerns, corrective action documentation, and consistent application of expectations.
• Promote a positive work environment through employee engagement, recognition, communications, and morale initiatives.
• Support employee engagement committees, plant events, communication campaigns, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in HR projects, process improvements, standard work development, and implementation of enterprise or site-level HR programs.
• Support hourly workforce administration, including transfers, promotions, shift changes, job changes, organizational updates, and employee status changes.
• Partner with supervisors and operations leaders to maintain accurate staffing records, shift assignments, and department rosters.
• Assist with attendance administration, absence tracking, trend identification, and follow-up documentation.
• Support return-to-work activities related to leave, workplace restrictions, accommodations, or modified duty in partnership with HR leadership.
• Provide visible HR coverage for employees working across multiple shifts and departments.
• Support job postings, interview scheduling, candidate communications, selection documentation, and pre-employment processes.
• Participate in job fairs, community outreach, school partnerships, and recruiting events as needed.
• Support a positive transition for new employees into the manufacturing environment.
• Support compliance with applicable employment laws, company policies, record retention requirements, and internal HR procedures.
• Assist with HR documentation for audits, training records, policy reviews, and compliance requests.
• Handle employee information with discretion and maintain confidentiality in all HR-related matters.
• Support processes related to EEO, FMLA, ADA interactive process documentation, wage and hour administration, and required postings or communications.
• Partner with Environmental Health and Safety, supervisors, and HR leadership to reinforce a strong safety culture.
• Assist with documentation and follow-up for workplace incidents when HR support is needed.
• Support return-to-work coordination, restrictions tracking, and accommodation follow-up processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Organizational Development, Industrial Relations, Engineering, or related field.
• 1-3 years of experience in Human Resources, employee support, recruiting, administration, leadership, customer service, or manufacturing support.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn HR systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment with sensitive information.
• Willingness and ability to work a second-shift schedule.

Preferred Qualifications

• HR internship, co-op, or early-career manufacturing HR experience.
• Experience supporting hourly employees or multi-shift operations.
• Exposure to employee relations, recruiting, attendance administration, leave coordination, or HR compliance.
• SHRM-CP or PHR certification, or interest in pursuing HR certification.

Skills

• Builds trust and credibility with employees, supervisors, and leaders.
• Communicates clearly in verbal, written, and group settings.
• Demonstrates strong organization, follow-through, and attention to detail.
• Manages multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Uses discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment when handling confidential matters.
• Applies basic employment law and HR policy knowledge with guidance from HR leadership.
• Collaborates effectively across departments and across multiple sites.
• Shows initiative, curiosity, resilience, and desire for continued HR development.

Working Conditions

• Regular presence on the manufacturing floor and in employee-facing areas is expected.
• Flexible hours to support employees working across multiple shifts.
• Occasional travel between manufacturing locations, recruiting events, training locations, or company meetings may be required.
• Comfortable interacting with employees at all organizational levels in a production-focused environment.
• Maintain a regular after-hours support schedule to ensure timely response and resolution of employee and operational matters during non-traditional work hours.

This position is intended to serve as a developmental HR role that builds practical experience in employee relations, staffing, workforce administration, compliance, and manufacturing leadership support. This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

Pay

The range for this position is $63,000.00 - $86,625.00 assuming full-time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

Benefits

• Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives aligned with key business results.
• 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career.
• Matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, with total contributions reaching between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on age and years of service.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid parental leave and family building support.
• Fitness programs and company-paid life insurance.
• Disability and disease management programs.
• Paid time off and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
• Recognition program to celebrate successes and reward contributions.