About the position

The HR Specialist partners directly with store, field, and operational leaders to support thoughtful, fair, and consistent handling of people matters. This role is highly people-facing and centered on building trust, guiding leaders through sensitive situations, and applying structured approaches to workplace concerns. This role is well-suited for someone who enjoys working closely with front-line teams, values collaboration, and is motivated by helping leaders and associates navigate challenging situations successfully. Experience in field or operational environments is highly valued, and HR expertise is developed through training, partnership, and ongoing coaching.

Responsibilities

• Partner with store, field, DC, and corporate leaders to address workplace concerns and sensitive people issues.
• Conduct workplace relations investigations using structured fact-finding and the Wicklander-Zulawski methodology, in partnership with International Association of Interviewers (IAI) best practices.
• Guide leaders through difficult associate conversations with clarity, fairness, and confidence.
• Provide practical, real-time guidance that aligns policy, employment law, and operational realities.
• Escalate complex or high-risk matters appropriately while providing thoughtful recommendations.
• Coach leaders on performance management fundamentals, including documentation, counseling conversations, and corrective action.
• Help leaders address performance issues early and effectively to support associate success and business outcomes.
• Reinforce consistency in how performance issues are handled across the business.
• Manage ADA and ability-to-perform requests, including the interactive process and required documentation.
• Manage non-FMLA medical leaves in accordance with company policy, ensuring accurate tracking, communication, and timely follow-up.
• Partner with leaders, Benefits, and senior HR on complex or sensitive accommodation or medical leave matters.
• Partner with leaders, Benefits, and senior HR on complex or sensitive accommodation matters.
• Participate in daily Workplace Relations team meetings to review active cases, mitigate risk, and ensure consistency across stores, Distribution Centers, and corporate functions.
• Identify trends, recurring challenges, or gaps in field understanding and elevate insights to senior HR leadership.
• Partner with Training & Development to help create and deliver practical workplace relations and performance management training.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate live or virtual training sessions for field leaders as assigned.
• Support additional HR-related duties and projects as assigned, consistent with the scope of the role.

Requirements

• At least one year of hands-on workplace relations, employee relations, or people-issue resolution experience, which may come from HR, field leadership, operations, or loss prevention roles.
• Experience in a people-intensive, front-line environment such as retail leadership, field operations, loss prevention, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare operations, or similar roles.
• Strong comfort level engaging in frequent, live conversations with leaders and associates.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive situations with professionalism, confidence, and discretion.
• Strong communication, judgment, and organizational skills.

Nice-to-haves

• 4-year degree preferred.
• HR, workplace relations, employee relations, or investigative experience.
• Exposure to structured interview methodologies (Wicklander-Zulawski or similar).
• HR certification (SHRM, HRCI) or willingness to pursue.
• Experience supporting multi-location or field-based operations.

Benefits

• We provide weekly pay and comprehensive benefits, health and wellness perks including paid time off and retirement saving plans because associate well-being is a priority.
• We offer corporate associates the flexibility of hybrid work schedules, with variations by department.