Good people, working with good people, for our common good.

Sound good?

KeHE-a natural, organic, specialty and fresh food distributor-is all about "good" and is growing, so there's never been a more exciting time to join our team. If you're enthusiastic about working in an environment with a people-first culture and an organization committed to good living, good food and good service, we'd love to talk to you!

Primary Responsibilities

KeHE has an immediate opportunity for a Human Resources Leader to join our high performing Human Resources team as a Director, Human Resources Operations reporting to our Senior Director, HR for the Central Region Operations. This role will have the primary responsibility of supporting the Warehouse and Transportation teams at our Illinois Distribution Centers located in Romeoville and Glendale Heights by serving as a strategic business partner in our fast-paced and dynamic business environment where we work relentlessly to care for both our employees and our customers. This position will lead a team of 2 HR professionals and will partner with the Distribution Center’s leadership team. 

We are seeking a seasoned HR professional who brings deep knowledge and expertise but is also able to listen, learn and cultivate strong relationships rooted in trust to drive change and deliver value to the business.  Successful candidates will also be willing to roll up their sleeves and provide tactical HR support needed to do what it takes to support fluctuating demands in a competitive business environment as well as be familiar with labor relations and union negotiations. 

This role will achieve results through leading and supporting others and drive strong collaboration across multiple key stakeholders within the business and HR.  While working tirelessly to foster an environment consistent with KeHE’ s Culture, Mission and Values, this role will be responsible for the following:

Essential Functions

• Lead and develop a team of HR professionals to care for employees, protect our culture and proactively partner with the business to drive strategy and foster growth
• Learn the business, develop strong relationships and anticipate business and people strategies necessary to support growth.
• Support local people and culture strategies while ensuring regional and national initiatives are adapted and flawlessly executed to maximize return on investment.
• Provide oversight and point of escalation for all day-to-day HR operational support, ensuring barriers are removed and business needs are always met
• Work closely with HR counterparts across talent acquisition, talent development, compensation and benefits, and Compliance to drive local HR strategies in partnership with our HR Centers of Excellence
• Advise, counsel and influence decisions on people, process and culture. Build compelling business case to influence others and drive for continuous improvement.
• Provide courageous people perspective on business issues, even when unpopular.

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude

Minimum Requirements, Qualifications, Additional Skills, Aptitude:

• Minimum 10 years HR business partner experience, preferably at least 3 years at the Director level and leading a team of HR professionals.
• Distribution and/or Manufacturing human resources experience required.
• Prefer experience in a unionized environment and contract negotiations.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management or a related field required.
• PHR/SPHR preferred.
• Proven ability to interact with and influence leaders.
• Ability to work successfully under pressure and handle multiple highly sensitive issues and competing priorities.
• Minimal travel

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Contribute and support to the overall goals of the Human Resources Department.
• Must have the ability to make recommendations to effectively resolve emotional and complex problems or issues, by using judgment that is in consistent with standards, practices, policies, procedures, regulation or government law.
• Capability of prioritizing and handling multiple projects simultaneously, under tight time constraints.
• Able to work effectively with peers, region and corporate leadership, and the operations team in a productive collaborative environment coupled with the ability to be decisive is needed.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.