Manager, Employee Relations & Governance

Manager, Employee Relations & Governance Blommer Chocolate Company - 2.8 Chicago, IL Job Details $125,000 - $145,000 a year 4 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Pet insurance Qualifications Employment law HR legal compliance Escalation handling Full Job Description Blommer has been providing delicious, high-quality chocolate and cocoa products to customers since 1939. Built as a family business, we are continuing to grow and are looking for motivated and reliable associates to help in our mission of Bringing Chocolate to Life!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Employee Relations Case Management & Investigations Oversees the end-to-end investigations framework, including intake, triage, investigative protocols, documentation standards, and outcome consistency, ensuring a fair and objective approach across the organization. Lead and conduct complex employee relations investigations, including allegations of misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and policy violations Provide investigation planning guidance and coaching to Plant HR Managers Prepare clear summaries, findings, and recommendations for review and escalation as appropriate Maintain confidentiality, documentation standards, and defensible processes Governance, Policy Interpretation & Consistency Partners with Legal, Compliance, and senior HR leadership to interpret employment laws and regulatory requirements, translating them into scalable policies, procedures, and operational practices. Serve as the enterprise expert on employee relations policies and governance Assists in defining and maintaining HR policy governance standards, including the development, review, and modernization of policies and the employee handbook to reflect evolving regulatory, market, and organizational needs. Ensure consistent application of policies across plants and corporate functions Advise HR and leaders on appropriate corrective action, performance discipline, and outcomes Identify situations that require escalation due to legal, reputational, or precedent risk Partner with Legal as needed on high‑risk or sensitive matters Designs and implements frameworks for consistency and quality assurance in investigations and policy application, including audit mechanisms, documentation standards, and governance processes. Plant HR Coaching & Capability Development Coach Plant HR Managers on collective bargaining concerns, employee relations judgment, documentation, and investigation practices Serve as the primary escalation point for non‑routine or high‑risk plant ER issues Support development of ER capability and confidence within plant HR teams Reinforce escalation triggers and enterprise standards Risk Identification & Trend Analysis Identifies emerging trends, systemic risks, and root causes across investigations and employee relations matters, driving enterprise-level insights and recommend preventative and corrective actions. Partner with TSEL and OD to recommend proactive interventions, training, or organizational actions Support data‑informed decision‑making while maintaining appropriate confidentiality Partnership & Integration Collaborate closely with: Talent Strategy Enablement Leader on trend‑based risk and leadership effectiveness Organizational Development Manager on change impacts and leader enablement HR Operations on policy documentation and recordkeeping standards Participate in enterprise HR initiatives as a subject‑matter expert when employee relations considerations are involved

Skills and Work Experience Requirements:

7-10 years of progressive HR experience with a strong emphasis on employee relations Demonstrated experience conducting complex investigations Strong knowledge of U.S. employment laws and ER best practices Experience supporting hourly and manufacturing environments preferred Proven ability to exercise sound judgment and escalate appropriately Manufacturing or multi‑site experience Exposure to labor‑sensitive environments Skills & Competencies Sound judgment and risk awareness Strong investigation and interviewing skills Clear, concise written communication Ability to coach and influence without formal authority High degree of integrity and confidentiality Calm, professional demeanor in sensitive situations Ability to recognize when escalation is required Travel & Work Environment Travel to plant locations as needed (25-30%) Combination of corporate office, remote work, and plant environments Exposure to plant conditions during site visits

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP, PHR, SPHR, or equivalent certification A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range at the time of posting is below. The base salary does not include other forms of compensation or benefits. The actual base salary within the specified range is based on several factors, including but not limited to applicant's skills, prior relevant experience, education, certifications, job responsibilities, market considerations and, if applicable, the location of the position. This role is eligible for either a discretionary annual bonus (based on company, business unit and individual performance) and/or commission-based incentives. Salary Range $125,000-$145,000

Benefits:

Blommer understands that our employees are our biggest assets. With this in mind we offer a generous benefits package. Health, Dental & Vision- eligibility begins day 1 of hire! 401(K) Pet insurance Tuition reimbursement 10 pounds of free chocolate for your birthday Blommer Chocolate Company provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Note to External Recruiters /

Search Firms :

Blommer Chocolate Company does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not pay for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be considered as a valid submission.