HR Generalist

Overview/Qualifications/Responsibilities

Company Overview:

Schafer Industries is a premier supplier of off-highway axles and differentiated precision gearing solutions.   Established in 1934, Schafer Industries has locations in South Bend, IN, Roscoe, IL, Fredericktown, OH and Blacklick, OH. Schafer Industries is one of the few manufacturers of integrated axle solutions in the off-highway electric vehicle market. Schafer serves customers in a variety of end markets including off-highway vehicles, recreational vehicles, aerospace, defense, oil & gas, material handling, powertrain, electric mobility, heavy duty trucking, agriculture, and construction. Our mission is to leverage world class capabilities to deliver superior products and services to maximize the value for our customers, employees, shareholders, and communities.

Why Work at Schafer Industries?

• We are a growth-oriented company with a diversified customer base.
• We are committed to a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• You will enjoy a collaborative work environment where your talents and opinions matter.
• We provide training as well as opportunities to work on projects in support of your career development.
• You will quickly see your impact when working with the team.
• We live our values of Safety, Integrity, Responsibility to Others, Customer Focus, Continuous Improvement and Accountability in all that we do.
• We have competitive pay and benefits to include 401(k) match and tuition reimbursement.

The Human Resources Generalist serves as a highly capable HR professional responsible for the day-to-day execution of HR programs and employee support within a high-volume manufacturing environment. This position plays a critical role in recruiting, onboarding, employee engagement, payroll support, benefits administration, compliance, training coordination, and employee relations.

The successful candidate must possess strong HR knowledge, exceptional interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while supporting a fast-paced manufacturing operation. The HR Generalist is a trusted resource for employees and supervisors and works closely with the HR Manager to ensure operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Recruiting & Staffing

• Review applications and support recruiting efforts for hourly and skilled manufacturing positions.
• Conduct candidate screening and phone interviews.
• Schedule interviews and manage candidate communications.
• Attend job fairs and community recruiting events.
• Maintain recruiting metrics and applicant tracking systems.

Onboarding & New Hire Experience

• Coordinate pre-employment activities.
• Conduct new hire orientation and onboarding.
• Complete HRIS entries and hiring documentation.
• Maintain employee personnel files and onboarding records.
• Prepare identification badges, training schedules, and onboarding materials.

Employee Relations Support

• Serve as a trusted resource for employee questions and concerns.
• Assist with employee investigations and documentation.
• Support corrective action processes and policy administration.
• Escalate complex employee relations issues appropriately.
• Build positive working relationships throughout the organization.

Benefits & Leave Administration

• Assist employees with benefit questions and enrollment.
• Support annual open enrollment activities.
• Coordinate leave administration, including FMLA tracking and documentation.
• Assist with workers' compensation and return-to-work processes.

Training & Development

• Maintain training matrices and training records.
• Coordinate cross-training and skills development initiatives.
• Support compliance and regulatory training requirements.
• Track employee certifications and qualifications.

Employee Engagement

• Coordinate employee recognition programs and events.
• Assist with engagement activities and communication initiatives.
• Support community outreach and recruitment partnerships.
• Help drive initiatives that improve retention and workplace culture.

Payroll & HR Operations

• Assist with timekeeping administration and payroll preparation.
• Resolve employee pay and attendance issues.
• Maintain HR databases and employee records.
• Ensure accuracy of employee documentation and compliance records.
• Support audits and compliance reviews.

Safety & Compliance

• Receive, document, and track safety concerns and near misses.
• Support OSHA recordkeeping and reporting activities.
• Assist with safety committee initiatives.
• Maintain compliance documentation and records.

Required Qualifications

• 3-5 years HR experience, preferably in manufacturing, industrial, or distribution environments.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR practices.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and applicant tracking systems.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HR systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field preferred.

• SHRM-CP or PHR certification.
• Manufacturing HR experience.
• Experience with ADP or similar HRIS/payroll platforms.
• Experience supporting hourly workforces.

Critical Competencies

• HR Compliance Knowledge
• Employee Relations
• Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
• Organizational Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Professional Judgment
• Communication Skills
• Employee Engagement
• Customer Service Mindset
• Adaptability

Success Profile

The ideal HR Generalist is highly intelligent, resourceful, proactive, and capable of handling sensitive employee matters with professionalism and sound judgment. This individual thrives in a manufacturing environment, understands the realities of supporting production operations, and effectively balances employee advocacy with business objectives.