Human Resources Generalist

Outpost Natural Foods

Human Resources Generalist

Milwaukee, WI

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About Outpost Natural Foods

At Outpost Natural Foods, we do grocery shopping differently. We are a community-owned co-op dedicated to local, organic products and sustainable living. Our workplace values diversity, equity, and an inclusive culture where co-workers genuinely care about and support one another. If you want a job where your daily work supports local farmers and sustainable food systems, you belong here.

JOB SUMMARY:

The People & Culture Generalist helps to foster a supportive and positive employee experience while providing responsive service to Outpost’s internal and external customers. This role partners with employees and leaders across the Central Office, retail stores, and kitchen operations to administer People & Culture policies, programs, and practices. Key responsibilities include leaves of absence administration, benefits administration, employee relations and engagement, talent acquisition, training and development, employment records, regulatory compliance, HRIS administration, workplace safety, and process improvement.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & FUNCTIONS:

Employee Relations and Engagement

• Treat all individuals fairly, consistently, and respectfully.
• Respond to routine questions from employees and managers about co-op policies, practices, and procedures; escalate complex matters as appropriate.
• Conduct regular store visits to connect with employees and managers, gather feedback about workplace morale, and identify proactive ways People & Culture can support local teams.
• Support investigations involving complaints, grievances, business ethics concerns, and Code of Conduct violations. Compile relevant background information and maintain accurate case and compliance records.
• Participate in Employee Forums to gather employee feedback and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with managers to identify engagement concerns and develop meaningful action plans that strengthen the work environment and support productivity.
• Monitor the People & Culture email inbox daily and route inquiries to the appropriate team member for follow-up.
• Check the physical People & Culture mailbox and distribute mail to the appropriate team members.
• Coordinate employee milestone and life-event recognition by monitoring supplies, placing vendor orders, and distributing sympathy, get-well, and celebration gifts.
• Contribute People & Culture articles to the co-op newsletter.

Health and Benefits Administration

• Manage the full life cycle of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requests, other leaves of absence—including short-term disability and union leave—and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation requests.
• Provide timely benefits communication and education, and assist employees with enrollment during onboarding, annual open enrollment, and qualifying life events.
• Serve as a resource for employees with benefits- and insurance-related questions or concerns.
• Serve as Outpost’s liaison to benefits brokers and insurance carriers.

Training and Development

• Facilitate leadership training on People & Culture topics for managers.
• Facilitate New Hire Orientation when the Recruitment and Retention Specialist is unavailable.

HRIS Administration

• Process and audit employment documentation—including new-hire forms, Forms W-4 and I-9, and EEO records—accurately, promptly, and in accordance with applicable laws.
• Enter, verify, and maintain employee information in the Dayforce HRIS.
• Assist employees with password resets and address updates.

Government Compliance and Record Keeping

• Ensure compliance with insurance contracts and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of employment legislation, seek qualified guidance when needed, promote adherence to requirements, and advise the Director of People & Culture on necessary actions.
• Conduct periodic audits to confirm compliance with company policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
• Maintain benefits records and personnel files for current and former employees.
• Follow Outpost’s record retention and destruction policies, including required record audits.
• Maintain required employment posters and bulletin boards at all locations.

Project Management and Process Improvement

• Develop People & Culture solutions by gathering and analyzing information and recommending appropriate courses of action.
• Complete special projects by clarifying objectives, establishing timelines, conducting research, organizing information, and meeting agreed-upon deadlines.
• Strengthen the department and organization by leading process improvements, special projects, and training initiatives.

Workplace Safety

• Partner with managers to process workers’ compensation claims and support a timely, appropriate return to work.
• Provide timely post-incident communication and follow-up with employees and managers.
• Maintain annual OSHA 300 logs and complete required reporting.
• Participate actively on the Safety Committee.
• Administer the workers’ compensation program and analyze related data and trends.

Talent Acquisition and Staffing

• Represent People & Culture and Outpost at career fairs and other recruiting events.
• Collaborate with the Recruitment and Retention Specialist to support a talent strategy that attracts and retains a diverse workforce.
• Provide backup support for the Recruitment and Retention Specialist.

All People & Culture Staff

• Support other People & Culture team members in completing departmental responsibilities.
• Monitor and replenish People & Culture supplies as needed.
• Maintain organized People & Culture files and procedures.
• Provide employee information, including employment references, only to authorized recipients.
• Maintain current People & Culture forms on the employee portal.
• Participate in annual People & Culture audits.
• Attend People & Culture department meetings.

All Staff Duties

• Follow all co-op policies and procedures outlined in the Employee Handbook and other company documents.
• Maintain a clean and orderly store and office environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of People & Culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to carry out each essential function satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. The qualifications below represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the role.
• Associate degree or certificate in Human Resources, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience
• At least two years of experience in an administrative Human Resources support role
• Experience in a multi-site, retail, or unionized environment preferred
• Ability to protect confidential and sensitive information
• Ability to remain objective, neutral, and composed
• Working knowledge of local, state, and federal employment laws
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with strong keyboarding skills
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to communicate information effectively to varied audiences
• Experience with a Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
• Strong English-language communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities, perform effectively under time constraints, and meet deadlines
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment when performing assigned responsibilities
• Willingness to learn, remain open to feedback, and take on new responsibilities
• Ability to read, understand, and follow written and verbal instructions
• Consistently demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are those that an employee must meet, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Continuously use a computer keyboard, monitor, mouse, telephone, and other office equipment.
• Frequently lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Bend, stoop, squat, kneel, reach, sit, and climb stairs or ladders.
• Use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects and equipment.
• See at close and long range and adjust visual focus.
• Speak and hear sufficiently to communicate with employees and others.

WORK CONDITIONS:

The work environment described here is representative of the conditions an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Work is primarily performed in a business office with moderate noise from computers, printers, paging systems, telephones, and conversations. Intermittent remote work may be available, if desired. The role also requires occasional job-related travel to store locations throughout the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
• Store visits may involve:
• Cold, hot, wet, or humid conditions.
• Fumes, airborne particles, and natural or chemical materials, including store products, cleaning products, and scents common in public settings.
• Occasional temperature extremes, such as walk-in freezers, outdoor warehouse areas, and hot kitchens.
• Moderate to loud noise levels.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE:

The duties, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, education, requirements, and working conditions described in this job description are representative rather than exhaustive. Outpost reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and may assign other duties as business needs, competitive considerations, or workplace conditions change.

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