At Ellsworth Creamery, our team members are more than employees; they are like family and we are committed to their success. This culture has contributed to the longevity of our staff, whose careers at Ellsworth Creamery span 10, 20 and even 50 years! Join our Team as we work with our cooperative of local farmers to create award-winning cheese!  Since 1910, we’ve partnered with local farmers to craft award-winning cheese and remain committed to our Team, Craft & Community. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career with a company that values teamwork, creativity, and innovation in a fun, fast-paced environment.  

Reports To: Human Resources Director

Supervises: None

Type: Exempt

The HR Business Partner (HRBP) is a key member of the Plant Leadership Team and serves as a trusted partner to leaders, supervisors, and employees. This role connects people strategy to plant priorities while helping build a culture of accountability, teamwork, integrity, and excellence.

The HRBP is highly visible in the plant and brings a proactive, solutions-focused approach to recruiting, employee relations, performance management, training, engagement, and HR process improvement. The ideal candidate is confident in challenging the status quo, comfortable having difficult conversations, and able to lean in and provide thoughtful HR guidance while building strong relationships at all levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Partner with Plant Leadership to align people strategies with operational goals and workforce needs.
• Coach and advise leaders and supervisors on employee relations, performance, attendance, communication, and other people-related matters.
• Lead recruiting efforts, including workforce planning, sourcing, interviewing, selection, and onboarding.
• Stay connected to the plant and proactively identify workforce trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support performance conversations, employee development, and accountability.
• Partner with employees and leaders to address concerns, conduct investigations, and resolve issues fairly and effectively.
• Identify opportunities to improve, simplify, and build HR processes that better serve employees and the operation.
• Lead and facilitate training and development initiatives.
• Partner with the broader HR team to implement company-wide programs and ensure consistency across locations.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations concerning employment in a multi state environment. 
• Partners and provides guidance, support for activities relating to benefits and communications (e.g., Open Enrollment, Employee Recognition, Wellness, etc.)  
• Ability to relate well with and work effectively with all levels of the organization, a passion for innovative HR solutions and process improvement.  

REQUIRED SKILLS: 

• Strong employee relations, recruiting, coaching, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and credibility with both leaders and frontline employees.
• Experience in providing coaching and feedback, respectfully challenging leaders when appropriate.
• Strong judgment, problem-solving skills, and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proactive mindset with a desire to improve processes and make a meaningful impact.
• Experience driving HR initiatives in employee performance management, training and  development, compensation, and benefits administration. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of labor laws and practices; FMLA, ADA, HIPAA, and OSHA.   
• Experience with HRIS systems is required, preferably Paylocity in addition to strong computer  skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.   
• High level of integrity, accuracy, dependability, enthusiasm, and confidentiality.  

REQUIRED/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in manufacturing or another operational environment.
• HR certification and/or union experience is a plus. 
• Valid driver's license with ability to travel.
• Pass a drug & alcohol screen and general background check.

Work Environment / Environment Condition:

• Office Environment
• Some travel to other locations, events, colleges/technical schools, etc.
• Food plant environment. Must adhere to all food and plant safety policies and regulations.

Benefits Package - excellent benefits for you and the family!

• Affordable Medical, Dental, Vision 
• Benefits eligible the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Medical, Health Savings Account, Dental, Vision, Accident & Critical Illness.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and additional free resources.
• 401k match, Paid Time Off & Holiday Pay

Our Ellsworth, Wisconsin facility specializes solely in the production of our world-famous All Natural White Cheddar Cheese Curds, both natural and flavored, our All Natural Cheddar Cheese Curd Crumbles and sweet whey powder.

Committed to our Team, Craft & Community, Since 1910