Employee & Labor Relations Specialist Senior - 2nd Shift

Job Description

Located in the heart of Central Ohio, Illuminate USA is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,500 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere.

This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We’re not just building solar panels—we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you!

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.

The Employee & Labor Relations Specialist Senior is a key partner to both associates and leaders, helping to create a positive, respectful, and high-performing workplace. This role is highly visible on the floor and focused on building strong relationships, listening to associate concerns, and working collaboratively with leaders to find thoughtful, fair solutions. You will play an important role in supporting day-to-day employee relations, ensuring policies are applied consistently, and helping leaders navigate complex situations with confidence. Success in this role comes from being approachable, solutions-oriented, and committed to creating an environment where associates feel supported, heard, and set up to succeed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Traversing across the Plant floor, connecting with associates and supervisors to proactively enhance the associate experience

• Empowering supervisors in managing the floor by utilizing Planned Absence reports, Overtime Reports, and Daily Attendance reports for Pre-Shift Meetings and throughout the shift for staffing validation

• Coaching and support managers in real time on the floor, handling employee relations matters, including performance management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions.

• Investigating and escalating policy violations in partnership with managers and supervisors for timely resolution

• Leading complex and sensitive investigations into allegations of harassment, discrimination, misconduct, retaliation, and workplace disputes.

• Guiding supervisor interactions with union representatives and stewards

• Answering associate questions and resolving issues on the floor at their workstations

• Serving as a primary point of contact for associates, addressing concerns, answering questions, and ensuring a positive and respectful employee experience.

• Acting as a point of contact for union representatives on associate concerns, grievances, and workplace matters.

• Advising and coaching leaders on the Associate Handbook, CBA, and performance management, corrective action, and progressive discipline, ensuring fairness, consistency, and risk mitigation.

• Supporting the unionized environment by helping leaders interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements, ensuring compliance with established processes, and maintaining consistency in practice.

• Assisting the administration and documentation of grievance processes, partnering with leadership to support timely and appropriate resolution.

• Partnering with leadership to proactively identify employee relations trends and implement solutions to improve engagement, retention, and overall workplace culture.

• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, company policies, and applicable labor agreements.

• Supporting key HR processes including leaves of absence and workplace accommodations.

• Facilitating training for leaders and associates on policies, workplace expectations, and employee relations best practices.

• Managing grievance cases from intake through resolution including, preparing arbitration files, and ensuring all evidence is captured and available for hearings.

• Partnering with managers, HR colleagues, and legal counsel to resolve disputes in compliance with CBAs and employment laws.

• Identifying and track grievance trends, escalating systemic issues to leadership as needed.

• Identifying employee relations risks and recommend proactive strategies to minimize future disputes.

• Monitoring changes in labor and employment law, advising leadership on necessary policy and practice updates.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.

• 8+ years of progressive HR experience with a strong focus on employee relations

• Experience supporting a union or labor environment and familiarity with collective bargaining agreements.

• Demonstrated experience handling complex investigations and workplace conflict resolution.

• Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.

• Proven ability to influence and coach leaders in a fast-paced, manufacturing or industrial environment.

• High level of professionalism, sound judgment, and ability to handle sensitive matters with confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.

• Workday experience

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.

• Manufacturing or industrial experience in a high-growth environment.

Schedule:

Saturday – Wednesday 6pm – 2am (Thursday and Friday off) 

Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.