Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet. We are a privately held company with locations across the US, Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. We’re investing in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we’re focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every teammate.
About the RoleWe are seeking a dynamic and capable Sr. HR Generalist to join our team. Reporting to the local HR Business Partner, this position will be based at our Decatur, IL site. This exciting and challenging role will require you to use your HR knowledge and experience to shape our people strategy, implement HR processes and initiatives, manage employee relations, and provide support to managers on all HR matters, including employee relations, employee engagement, performance management, recruitment and selection, onboarding, and facilitating learning and development.
- Provide daily, on‑site HR support to employees, supervisors, and plant leadership in a unionized manufacturing environment, ensuring consistent application of HR policies, labor agreements, and company standards.
- Partner closely with the HR Business Partner on labor relations strategy, contract administration, and issue resolution, escalating complex or sensitive matters as appropriate.
- Serve as a visible and accessible HR resource on the plant floor, building trust with both hourly and salaried employees.
- Support the interpretation, application, and administration of collective bargaining agreements, ensuring consistency and adherence to contract language.
- Participate in employee relations and labor matters, including investigations, grievance support, and preparation of documentation for disciplinary actions, in alignment with established labor relations practices.
- Assist supervisors in managing attendance, conduct, and performance issues in a manner that is compliant with labor agreements and company policy.
- Coach supervisors and managers on effective performance management, including setting expectations, providing feedback, progressive discipline, and documentation in a union environment.
- Reinforce the importance of consistency, non‑retaliation, and due process in all people‑related decisions.
- Support HRBP‑led workforce planning, talent acquisition, and retention efforts by executing local plant activities and providing operational insights related to hourly workforce needs.
- Co‑lead local recruiting efforts for hourly and salaried roles in partnership with the Global Talent Acquisition team, ensuring fair, consistent hiring practices and a positive candidate experience.
- Support onboarding and integration of new hires, reinforcing safety, expectations, and plant culture from day one.
- Support facilitation of training for supervisors and employees on HR policies, labor relations fundamentals, workplace conduct, performance management, and compliance topics.
- Support change management initiatives by helping communicate, implement, and reinforce organizational or operational changes in alignment with labor agreements and HRBP guidance.
- Promote understanding of leadership responsibilities in a unionized environment, including effective employee communication and issue escalation.
- Monitor HR metrics such as turnover, absenteeism, discipline trends, and engagement indicators; share insights with the HR Business Partner to support data‑driven decisions.
- Work proactively with plant leadership to identify opportunities to enhance employee engagement, communication, and labor‑management collaboration.
- Act as an on‑site culture and values champion by supporting DEI initiatives, reinforcing respectful workplace standards, and fostering a positive employee experience for both union and non‑union employees.
About You
Required and Preferred Education/Certification
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management or related field (required)
Professional Certification(s) in HR, such as: PHR, SPHR, or other HR certifications (preferred)
Required and Preferred Work Experience
5+ years of work experience in a broad range of HR functional areas (required)
2+ years of experience in employee relation (preferred)
1+ years of Workday experience (preferred)
Please note that while this range reflects the full spectrum of compensation available for this role, individual compensation will be determined based on several factors including your experience, skills, and alignment with the role's responsibilities. During the interview process there will be an opportunity to discuss how your background fits into the pay range.
We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
Competitive Pay
Multiple Healthcare plan choices
Dental and vision insurance
A 401(k) plan with company and matching contributions
Short- and Long-Term Disability
Life, AD&D, and Voluntary Insurance plans
Paid holidays & vacation
Floating days off
Parental leave for new parents
Employee resource groups
Learning & development programs
Fun culture where you have an opportunity in shaping our future
Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking; and encourage employee voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning.
Primient supports a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive excellence, and deliver better business results. Primient employees experience autonomy and accountability in their role. Here, employees control their destiny as there is opportunity for career growth and pathways outside the norm.
We are believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow,
Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.
California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")
The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.
Top Skills
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
