Employee Relations Manager at GT'S Living Foods in Vernon, CA

Company & Culture:

At GT’s Living Foods, we’re more than just a company – we’re a community passionate about creating a healthier, happier world. Over the last 30 years we’ve built a culture of inclusivity and authenticity, where our shared values create an environment that inspires you to do your best while achieving meaningful results. Our mission to transform health and happiness through potent, living foods has established us as the #1 Kombucha brand and a leader in the Health & Wellness space.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• 5 years of progressive HR experience, with strong expertise in employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, and employment compliance.
• 2+ years of HR leadership or team oversight experience preferred.

Job Description:

The Employee Relations Manager serves as a key HR leader responsible for overseeing employee relations and providing leadership and direction to the HR Generalist team. This role serves as the primary escalation point for complex employee matters, providing expertise in workplace investigations, performance management, corrective action, conflict resolution, policy interpretation, and employment compliance. The ER Manager partners closely with leaders to resolve workplace concerns, mitigate organizational risk, and ensure consistent and equitable application of company policies and practices. By identifying employee relations trends, coaching leaders and HR team members, and implementing proactive solutions, this role strengthens organizational effectiveness, accountability, and a respectful, high-performing workplace culture.

Key Responsibilities:

Core Employee Relations & Investigations:

• Lead the Employee Relations function for manufacturing sites and provide guidance and oversight to HR Generalists in the consistent delivery of HR support across the organization.
• Lead complex and sensitive employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, employee complaints, performance concerns, corrective actions, conflict resolution, and terminations, while ensuring appropriate documentation and minimizing organizational risk.
• Conduct prompt, fair, impartial, and thorough investigations involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace misconduct, policy violations, and other employee concerns.
• Coach and advise leaders on employee relations, performance management, corrective action, difficult employee conversations, policy interpretation, and effective resolution of workplace concerns.

Leadership, Compliance & Cross-Functional Partnership:

• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to HR Generalists, strengthening capabilities in employee relations, investigations, performance management, documentation, and employment practices.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies, procedures, corrective action practices, and employment standards across departments and locations.
• Partner with the VP of HR and Legal Counsel on complex or high-risk employee relations matters, investigations, employment claims, and agency inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and proactively identify and mitigate potential employee relations and compliance risks.
• Partner cross-functionally with Safety, Payroll, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Learning & Development, Finance, and Legal to resolve employee matters and deliver effective HR solutions.

Strategy, Training & Continuous Improvement:

• Analyze employee relations trends, case data, workplace concerns, and other HR metrics to identify organizational risks and develop proactive strategies and action plans.
• Partner with Learning & Development to develop and deliver training that strengthens leadership effectiveness, respectful workplace practices, performance management, and employee relations capabilities.
• Lead or participate in HR initiatives focused on employee engagement, policy development, compliance, process improvement, organizational effectiveness, and workplace culture.
• Perform other duties and strategic initiatives assigned in support of business objectives.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Language & Technical Proficiencies:

• Bilingual English/Spanish required.
• Proficiency with HRIS and employee case management systems.

Core Competencies & Interpersonal Skills:

• Strong investigation, interviewing, and fact-finding skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when handling highly sensitive and complex matters.
• Effective coaching, conflict resolution, and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Experience with California Employment Law, including comprehensive knowledge of Wage & Hour regulations and Leaves of Absence (LOA).
• Experience in a manufacturing or high-volume workforce environment preferred.

GT’s Employee Experience (Benefits/Perks):

• Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 401K with Matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts on the amazing GT’s product line (available for pickup at headquarters only)
• Corporate Discounts with our partners through LifeMart (concert & sporting event tickets, cell phone service, gifts, restaurants, hotels, childcare, and more!)

Job Details:

• Location: Vernon, CA
• Employment Type: Full Time, Exempt
• Schedule: Monday through Friday
• Work Attire: Use good judgment, keeping in mind the nature of their work, their safety and the safety of others, and their need to interact with the public.
• Pay Range: $110,000 - $125,000, bonus eligible

GT's Living Foods, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and maintaining an inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.