Title:  Employee Relations Advisor

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At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities. 

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

MISSION / SUMMARY:

The Employee Relations Advisor is responsible for the application of Graphic Packaging International employee relations programs. As a member of the Employee Relations Center of Excellence (CoE) team, the Employee Relations Advisor will be responsible for partnering with HR leaders and the legal team to provide ongoing coaching and guidance on matters related to improving and building upon a positive employee relations culture, which also includes monitoring and investigating issues reported into the Alertline. 

The Employee Relations Advisor would coordinate and partner with the CoE’s to ensure consistency in application to all Employee Relations initiatives. The Employee Relations Advisor will assist in developing, delivering, and maintaining business focused employee relations strategies that meet the needs of the organization and ensures the employee relations CoE achieves their objectives and work plan.

JOB FUNCTIONS and KEY DELIVERABLES: Job functions include but are not limited to the following.

• Conduct internal ALERTLINE investigations for behavioral/workplace culture issues and as needed misconduct in a timely manner, applying appropriate investigation plan, interviewing techniques with supporting documentation and outcome/conclusion summary.
• Partner closely with HRBPs on positive employee relations strategies
• Advise management regarding employment laws and compliance needs.
• Provide advice and counsel Manager on disciplinary actions and next steps.
• Guide and train managers in overall performance management concepts in alignment with company philosophy, practices, and processes.
• Collaborate with HR Business Leaders and employment counsel on crucial employee relations matters and provide conflict resolution support.
• Assists in the development, roll out, interpretation and updating of ER processes/programs to global organization.
• Conduct and analyze ER metrics and trend analysis with proactive recommendations on policies and programs to address cases, trends, and/or topics.
• Ensure that all relevant policies, procedures, practices, processes, and systems meet corporate and comply with applicable legislation.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal/state/municipal laws, regulations, rules, standards, and guidelines.
• Help promote knowledge, understanding, and compliance regarding company policy and relevant employment laws through coaching, presentations, and training.
• Facilitate trainings to build employee relations skills among HR community and managers.

BACKGROUND / EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred, in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, or similar discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience managing various HR functions within a manufacturing company.
• Strong knowledge of current employment law matters, applicable laws and with a strong commitment to investigation management.

SKILLS:

• Proven track record of success in training, and employee relations.
• Effective communication with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Superb writing and content development skills.
• Strong presentation and verbal skills.
• Ability to identify needs of employees and to provide coaching and mentoring.
• Excellent time management and project management skills.
• Deal with people sensitively, tactfully, diplomatically, and professionally at all times.
• High level of critical and logical thinking, analysis, and/or reasoning to identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts.
• Expertise in employee relations investigations, provide a customer-first approach to work, and thrive in a fast-paced business environment.
• Consultative, coaching, counseling, and conflict resolution skills; ability to influence and articulate a variety of issues to different audiences, tailoring messages accordingly.
• Understanding of best practices regarding performance management, progressive discipline, and performance improvement plans
• Proven experience in managing multiple projects with strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Proven ability to manage conflict/challenge thinking.
• Proven business acumen, strong decision-making, and root cause/analysis skills
• Strong attention to detail and excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to author cohesive emails, summaries, and investigations plans/reports.
• Strong problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and intuitive sense of business acumen
• Strong self-initiative and prioritizing abilities; comfort with ambiguity and change
• Ability to communicate clearly during difficult conversations and reduce tension.
• Ability to interface and partner with different levels of the organization to achieve results.
• Ability to work collaboratively, lead and influence at all levels within the organization, and make decisions while keeping partners and leaders informed.
• Ability to assess sensitive and complex employee relations issues in a confidential, objective, and systematic manner and ability to assess when they should be handed over to legal team.
• Ability to exercise judgement, while balancing time constraints and need for resolution.

SCHEDULE DEMANDS:

• General schedule is an 8-hour M-F assignment; however, employee must be willing to work alternate schedules occasionally; that may include early mornings, nights, and/or weekends.
• Occasional overnight travel to include flying, driving, riding or by rail.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time up to 8-hours.
• Reading computer screen or other electronic devices.
• Use of various office hand and electrical tools or equipment.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Integrity & Trust
• Action Oriented
• Accountability
• Coaching & Mentoring Leaders, Emerging Talent, and Individual Contributors
• Positively Influencing Others (Across, Up, and Down throughout the organization)
• Organizational Agility
• Learning Agility
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Problem Solving

#LI-Hybrid

Pay Range:   $95,325.00 - $127,100.00

Graphic Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications for the job in question. We do not base our employment decision on an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, age, gender or sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic identity, genetic information, disability, veteran/military status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Click here to view the Poster, EEO is the Law.

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