Senior HR Generalist

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

The Senior Human Resources Generalist is responsible for administering HR programs and policies, supporting daily operations plant offices. This includes handling employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, record maintenance, compliance, and generalist activities that foster a positive work environment.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Provide timely employee relations support and guidance
• Conduct complex employee investigations
• Leads investigations independently
• Administer employee performance management processes
• Prepare and/or review discipline documents in collaboration with Supervisors
• Mentor HR team members

Onboarding & Orientation

• Implement new hire orientation and onboarding programs.
• Educate newly hired employees on company policies, internal procedures, and regulations
• Conduct new hire orientation and onboarding
• Assist employees with benefits enrollments

Records Management

• Maintain physical and digital employee files, including benefits and attendance records
• Utilize UltiPro Time Labor Management Attendance System for record keeping
• Support processing of Union Dues and recording keeping for union membership

Employee Inquiries & Engagement

• Handle employment-related inquiries from employees and supervisors.
• Escalate complex/sensitive matters to appropriate staff.
• Develop and implement an employee engagement plan that fosters company culture.

Leave Administration & Compliance

• Assist with leave administration (e.g., FMLA) and EEOC reporting.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws/regulations.
• Regularly review and update policies to ensure best practices and regulatory adherence.

Talent Acquisition

• Interview and facilitate hiring of qualified candidates for open positions.
• Collaborate with departmental managers to define required skills and competencies for each role.

Succession Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Support succession planning initiatives.
• Stay updated on HR trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies.

Other duties

• Perform other duties as required to meet evolving business needs

Qualifications

Education

• BA/BS or equivalent in Human Resources, Management, Business, or related field strongly preferred

Experience

• Five or more years of Human Resources experience.
• Experience with an HRIS System, preferably UKG/UltiPro

Skills

• Demonstrated strong leadership, interpersonal and coaching skills
• Ability to work effectively with all constituencies.
• Effective oral and written communication
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment, including Excel and       database management.

Competencies

• Creative, motivated, and flexible.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills.
• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills.

Working Conditions (Physical demands)

Primarily an office-based role with the ability to work flexible or extended hours dependent on business demands when needed.

Schedule: 8-5, M-F

Pay:  $75,000 - $95,000 a year*

* The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting.  Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications.  The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.