Overview:

Responsible for the planning, development and delivery of organizational HR initiatives in the areas of employee and labor relations, policy and procedure development, performance management and training, to support the Company’s business objectives and strategies.  A key member of the facility Leadership Team, and Business Partner to the Service Center Director, this position gives support and guidance to facility personnel in all aspects of the human resources function.  Provide assistance and direction in partnership with Corporate COE support to all employees, and retirees, for benefits and compensation.  Ensure compliance with federal and state laws on all employee related matters, including wage and hour compliance.

Responsibilities:

Labor and Employee Engagement

• Directly responsible for dealing with the local union (USW). First point of contact for employee relations issues. Involvement includes problem solution and avoidance, answering written grievances, counseling the Service Center Manager, Leadership Team, salaried staff and the Supervisors on all labor-related matters and ensuring compliance with the overall labor strategy.
• Directs investigations of complaints, grievances and breaches of company policies.  Summarizes facts for presentation to upper management and Chicago.  Makes recommendations on the appropriate course of action.  Handles first and second step grievances and supports HR Director with third step, arbitration and bargaining preparation as needed.

Operational Excellence

•  Manage, communicate and guide programs that support the business.  Generate strategies that enhance engagement, attraction, development and retention of employees. 
•  Administer provisions of company policies and guidelines; counsel management to ensure compliance. 
• Act with integrity.  Model the values of our Code of Conduct.
•  Assist in analyzing business issues, personnel placement, and other strategic issues with the Service Center Manager and salaried staff.
• Ask pertinent questions, offer alternative solutions.  Workshop ideas and seek input from a variety of employee perspectives.
• Responsible for overseeing all aspects of administration for employees, employee counseling, insurance and pension coordination, recruiting and hiring, EAP, tuition aid, etc.

Talent and Performance Management/ Organizational Development

• Develop, manage and support programs that ensure professional development of employees across the organization.
• Promote positive employee relations company-wide, ensuring fair and equitable treatment for all employees.
• Provide support, strategies, feedback, and coaching for employees and managers with regard to jobs and performance.  Partner with business leaders to provide ongoing performance management support and guidance.  Strive for Continuous Improvement.
• Assist in the development and implementation of training initiatives, policies and procedures that support the business.

Scope of Work and Interaction:

This position will interact with all employees (hourly and salaried) including upper management, safety, quality, corporate representatives and customers as well as potential candidates. The impact of this position on the business is very important as it ensures functional HR excellence and, of key importance, that the collective bargaining agreement is followed correctly and that fair and consistent corrective action is issued. The person in this position will have a high level of interaction with all levels of employees on a daily basis. The decisions made by the person filling this position are complex and one’s clear, unbiased, and independent judgment is crucially important.  This position will also champion local diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Qualifications:

Education and/or experience required (including certifications):

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 3-5 years HR experience, including positions involving interface with senior business leaders.
• Labor relations in a unionized environment (strongly preferred)
• Track record of success in development of innovative, effective HR strategies and programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent written and oral communication skills, with ability to influence managers, supervisors and employees.
• Computer literate in a variety of applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft a plus.
• SPHR or PHR a plus

Other:

Some travel (to Chicago) required; ability to work in a plant environment safely and effectively.  Compliance with the Chicago-employee vaccination requirement including proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, or willingness to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including a booster shot.

Consistent with our policy, all new hires are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted.

GATX embraces diversity, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.