Regional Human Resources Business Partner

As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2023 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,000 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets.

Position Title: Regional HR Business Partner

Location: Remote, or Michigan, Illinois, Indiana preferred with 30% travel.

Position Overview

The Regional HR Business Partner will play a pivotal role in aligning the company’s business objectives with employees and management in the North America region. The HRBP will be primarily focused on supporting manufacturing across multiple plant locations in the U.S and will report directly to the Region HRBP manager. The HRBP will act as a consultant to management on HR-related issues, drive HR initiatives, and implement strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness. This role demands a deep understanding of the business and its operational challenges, ensuring that HR policies and practices meet both the needs of the workforce and business goals. A key aspect of the role is to work effectively in unionized environments, collaborating with unions to address workforce concerns and ensure fair resolutions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with union representatives to address employee concerns, grievances, and negotiate collective bargaining agreements. Serve as a skilled mediator in disputes between union members and management, investigating complaints, ensuring fair resolutions, and upholding the terms of union contracts.
• Partner with regional leadership teams to develop and execute HR strategies that align with business objectives. Design and deliver programs that enhance business outcomes, employee engagement, and leadership effectiveness.
• Provide expert guidance and consultation to management on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, and employee engagement, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Manage and interpret union contract terms, ensuring that company practices align with the specific obligations of the contract, and advocating for the company’s position during negotiations while maintaining a cooperative relationship with unions.
• Ensure HR practices, policies, and procedures comply with federal, state, and union-specific labor laws, including health and safety regulations. Stay updated on legal changes and implement necessary adjustments in HR policies to align with evolving labor regulations.
• Collaborate with leadership to assess talent needs to attract and retain top talent. Facilitate succession planning, and ensure the development of employees through coaching, training, and development programs. Organize training programs in compliance with union agreements, focusing on workplace safety, compliance, and skill-building for union-represented workers.
• Assist in forecasting workforce needs, structuring teams, and designing organizational frameworks that promote efficiency, growth, and employee satisfaction.
• Analyze HR data to identify trends, offer insights, and provide recommendations for continuous improvement in employee performance and satisfaction.
• Support the company’s commitment to DE&I by promoting inclusive policies, facilitating diversity-related programs, and ensuring equitable treatment of all employees.
• Develop and implement programs that increase employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction, promoting a positive workplace culture.
• Partner with talent acquisition teams to drive recruitment strategies and ensure smooth onboarding processes for new hires. Align recruitment efforts with regional business needs and diversity initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in unionized environments with a proven track record of successfully collaborating with unions on contract negotiations, grievance management, and fostering cooperative labor-management relationships.
• 5-7 years of experience in a HR role, ideally as an HRBP or in a similar capacity.
• Strong knowledge of local labor laws and regulations in the region of operation, particularly with regard to unionized workplaces.
• Experience with talent management, succession planning, and workforce development.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build strong relationships across all levels of the organization, including with union representatives.
• Familiarity with HR data analysis and using insights to drive HR strategies.
• Ability to travel regionally, including extended stays, as required.

Preferred Requirements

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in supporting regional business units across multiple countries.
• Experience in managing change in dynamic environments.