P&O Business Partner

Job Description:

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food maker with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. Founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry across three major geographic regions.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

The P&O Business Partner serves as the lead on-site People & Organization (P&O) Business Partner for Champion’s DogStar Kitchen (Auburn, KY) , reporting into the Senior P&O Director – Global Supply Chain and serving as a member of the site leadership team.  

This role provides P&O partnership and strategic guidance to factory leadership, supervisors, and Associates, ensuring alignment with Champion’s Global Supply Chain priorities and the Mars Five Principles while supporting Champion’s position as an ultra-premium brand.

This role is responsible for driving leadership capability development, supporting workforce planning, and delivering proactive P&O solutions that strengthen Associate engagement, safety, and performance.

The successful candidate will bring strong knowledge of HR practices and compliance within manufacturing or operational environments, with proven ability to coach leaders, build effective relationships, and foster inclusive, high-performance cultures. 

They will be adept at balancing strategic priorities with day-to-day Associate support, ensuring consistent P&O program delivery and a positive workplace experience for all Associates.

• Serve as the lead on-site P&O Business Partner at the Champion DogStar Kitchen, partnering with factory leadership, supervisors, and Associates to deliver proactive P&O solutions, provide strategic guidance and responsive day-to-day support.

• Implement P&O strategies and programs at the site level, ensuring execution aligns with Champion’s Global Supply Chain priorities, the Mars Five Principles, and Champion’s ultra-premium brand identity.

• Drive leadership capability development through alignment with global programs, providing coaching and guidance to line managers on performance management and Associate development to enhance leadership effectiveness.

• Partner with operations leadership to address workforce planning needs, staffing models, and labor cost optimization.

• Collaborate with the recruiting team to ensure successful site-based hiring, effective onboarding, and strong candidate and Associate experiences.

• Support engagement, recognition, and culture-building programs that foster Associate connection, safety, and high performance within the factory environment.

• Partner with the Associate Relations Manager to support resolution of employee relations matters at the site, ensuring consistent application of processes, compliance with U.S. labor and employment law, and a positive Associate experience.

• Collaborate with COEs (Compensation, Benefits, Payroll, Talent Acquisition, L&D) to ensure site-specific needs are met while maintaining consistency with global frameworks.

• Track and analyze P&O metrics for the site (turnover, absenteeism, recruitment cycle time, engagement survey results), recommend actionable solutions, and partner with leadership to act on insights.

• Support change management initiatives tied to supply chain projects, technology implementations, and organizational shifts, ensuring site leaders and Associates are engaged and prepared.

• Ensure site-level P&O practices are compliant with legal and regulatory standards while proactively identifying risks.  Partner with leaders on audits, health & safety programs, and labor relations matters.

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, with experience in manufacturing, distribution, or supply chain environments strongly preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field required; HR certification (e.g., PHR, SHRM-CP) preferred.

• Experience partnering with site leadership teams and frontline managers to deliver HR programs, coaching, and guidance.

• Strong knowledge of HR practices including performance management, employee development, succession planning, and engagement.

• Familiarity with US employment law and compliance requirements within manufacturing or operational settings.

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, influence leaders, and coach managers to strengthen people leadership capability.

• Experience supporting recruitment and onboarding in collaboration with Talent Acquisition teams.

• Proven success fostering inclusive, safe, and high-performance cultures at the site level.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret HR data and workforce metrics to recommend practical solutions.

• Effective communicator with strong facilitation and interpersonal skills, able to connect with Associates at all levels.

• Travel (approximately 20%) to internal P&O and site specific meetings. 

• Trusted Partner & Communicator: Builds strong relationships with leaders and Associates, providing clear guidance, coaching, and influence across all levels.

• Change & Culture Leadership: Supports transformation and continuous improvement while fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance workplace aligned with the Mars Five Principles.

• Problem-Solving & Execution: Applies HR knowledge and workforce data to address challenges, ensure compliance, and deliver consistent, effective HR practices.

• Engagement & Development: Strengthens leadership capability and Associate experience through coaching, development, and initiatives that drive engagement and performance.

• Safety: a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.

• Earnings: Competitive Wages that give financial peace of mind, 401K with company matching.

• Industry Competitive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Programs to meet your individual or family needs.

• Continuing Education: In House & Online Learning & Development, as well as an Education Assistance Program.

• Quality: A dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.

• Other Perks: Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month, Free Parking and more!

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.

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The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between the range listed above, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, if eligible, including variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits.  Eligibility for these additional elements depend on the position offered and the employee’s work schedule (i.e., part-time schedule, store associate).  Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.