Human Resources Generalist

Pero Family Farms is a market share leader with over a century of dedication, commitment, and integrity. Operating since 1908, Pero is the farm trusted by retailers and consumers alike. We are a fully integrated farming operation, with departments specializing in organic farming, logistics, global supply chain management, national sales operations, food processing operations, and strategic marketing functions. Our operation includes over 35,000 acres spanning the East Coast of the United States from Florida to New York, with distribution and production facilities in several states. We pride ourselves on maintaining a strong family heritage and tradition dedicated to quality, innovation, and excellent customer service.

About the role

The HR Generalist is responsible for providing hands-on HR support to a diverse, multi-lingual workforce within a fast-paced manufacturing and production environment, including English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole-speaking employees. This role serves as a key partner to both plant operations and office-based teams, supporting employee relations, HR compliance, onboarding, performance management, investigations, policy administration, and day-to-day workforce support across the facility.

This position requires strong partnership with managers and employees at all levels, with a significant focus on maintaining visibility and engagement within the production environment. Approximately 75% of the workday is spent on the plant floor interacting directly with employees and operational leadership to support business needs, employee engagement, and operational continuity.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, highly operational environment and has prior experience supporting manufacturing, production, distribution, or other frontline workforce operations. Experience supporting high-volume hourly employee populations, multi-shift operations, and safety-sensitive environments is strongly preferred. Exposure to OSHA, GMP, or similar operational compliance standards is a plus.

This role requires strong judgment, professionalism, and the ability to independently manage sensitive employee matters while balancing employee advocacy with business needs. A flexible schedule is occasionally required to maintain partnership and visibility with night shift managers and employees.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR point of contact for production employees.
• Address and resolve employee concerns and grievances, ensuring consistent application of policies.
• Support managers and employees in performance management and conflict resolution.
• Assist in managing the performance review process.
• Provide guidance to managers on performance evaluations and goal-setting.
• Ensure completion and accuracy of all performance evaluations within the HRIS system through reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws relevant to manufacturing.
• Conduct audits to maintain compliance and mitigate risks.
• Facilitate all workers’ compensation claims, ensure timely reporting, and coordinate with insurance companies and employees to support claims.
• Maintain all documentation for workers’ compensation claims.
• Support the “return to work” process and all follow-up procedures.
• Support the identification of training needs within the production team.
• Assist in developing and implementing training programs.
• Maintain accurate employee records in the HRIS system.
• Train employees on HRIS functionalities as needed.
• Facilitate onboarding processes for production employees.
• Complete all I-9s for onboarding production personnel, ensuring accuracy and adherence to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Follow up with the expiration of employee documents through the HRIS reporting system to maintain all required updated documents for employees.
• Manage offboarding procedures, ensuring compliance and effective communication.
• Provide HR support to branch locations as needed, partnering with local leadership to assist with employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, policy guidance, and other HR initiatives to ensure consistency across the organization.

Requirements

• Bilingual (Spanish or Haitian Creole).
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of HR experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Flexibility to work occasional later shifts (ending around 7 PM) to support night shift teams.
• Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

• PHR or SHRM-CP certification.
• Experience providing HR support in production or industrial environments.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with standard business hours; occasional overtime may be required for deadlines, employee events, or audits.
• Frequent interaction with employees, managers, and external partners, requiring strong interpersonal skills.
• May handle sensitive employee information, requiring strict confidentiality and discretion.
• Work can be fast-paced and deadline-driven, particularly during recruitment cycles, performance review periods, or policy implementation.
• Occasional travel may be required for training sessions, recruitment events, or multi-site coordination.
• May need to mediate employee relations issues or support conflict resolution, which can involve high-pressure situations.

Physical Requirements

• Able to walk and meet with managers and employees on the plant floor 75% of the day.
• Frequent use of office equipment such as phones, computers, and printers.
• Occasional walking, standing, or bending when accessing files, training materials, or meeting with staff.
• Ability to lift or carry light materials, such as reports, binders, or office supplies (typically up to 15–20 pounds).
• Vision (corrected or uncorrected) sufficient to read documents and computer screens.
• Hearing and speech ability sufficient for effective communication in person, over the phone, or via virtual meetings.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance and more
• Paid Time Off (PTO)