{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"ca89ef0cfb2b678a9c08d7fa","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/ca89ef0cfb2b678a9c08d7fa","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/ca89ef0cfb2b678a9c08d7fa","title":"Employee Recognition Program Specialist","description":"Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.\nGuided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.\nWe are seeking an Employee Recognition Program Specialist and the role will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies and programs designed to recognize the milestones, contributions, and achievements of First Quality’s Team Members. The role is also responsible for building a culture of appreciation at First Quality, ensuring team members feel genuinely valued while extending that same spirit of care into the communities the company serves.\nThis role partners cross-functionally to design impactful tools and initiatives that resonate across the organization. This individual will be responsible for the end-to-end management of branded merchandise — from vendor relationships and contract negotiation to budget oversight and brand integrity — so that every touchpoint reflects First Quality's identity. Additionally, this role leads First Quality's charitable giving strategy, coordinating large-scale product donations and employee fundraising initiatives so the organization's community impact is as intentional and well-organized as its internal recognition efforts. This is a high-impact role that requires a self-motivated professional who can hit the ground running and deliver results quickly.\nPrincipal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:\nDesign and implement a technology platform to streamline and automate recognition, tracking milestones, anniversaries, and recognition history\nPartner with leaders across the organization to build recognition programs and events that are meaningful, inclusive, and aligned with company culture\nCollaborate with senior leadership, HR, and Communications to ensure engagement messaging resonates across operations and non-operations audiences, facilitating cross-functional committees to standardize best practices\nDevelop recognition program policies and procedures with HR that balance consistency and flexibility across the organization\nOwn the full lifecycle of branded merchandise, including vendor selection, inventory management, curation, pricing, and purchase orders\nBuild and negotiate key vendor relationships and contracts to secure competitive pricing through volume discounts and long-term partnerships\nProvide creative direction on merchandise design and trend-spotting to ensure all branded items reflect company visual identity\nLead Human Resource’s charitable giving strategy, serving as the primary point of contact for large-scale donation requests and enterprise-wide community partnerships\nCoordinate large-scale, cross-divisional product donations, ensuring proper approvals and alignment with brand and philanthropic goals\nPlan and execute employee fundraising campaigns, managing logistics, budgets, and vendor relationships\nAnalyze recognition, merchandise, and giving program data to identify trends and opportunities, developing reports and dashboards to track impact\nConduct ongoing benchmarking across all program areas to ensure they remain competitive, cost-efficient, and best in class\nQualifications/education and experience requirements:\nBachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent work experience\n4+ years of experience in rewards and recognition program management, employee engagement, or a related HR/communications function\nDemonstrated experience building or significantly contributing to recognition programs from the ground up\nProven vendor management experience, including contract negotiation, pricing discussions, and relationship building — with a track record of securing favorable terms\nExperience managing branded merchandise programs, including knowledge of swag ordering processes and brand compliance\nFamiliarity with recognition platforms or digital tools used to manage and automate employee programs\nProficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong Excel and PowerPoint skills; ability to analyze data and translate insights into clear presentations\nStrong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently\nExcellent communication skills with the ability to present program updates and insights to a variety of audiences\nSkills/Competencies:\nExceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills.\nAbility to communicate and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and business stakeholders.\nSelf-motivated and able to work with short deadlines and competing demands.\nStrong accountability and completion of tasks without close supervision.\nEmbraces an entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to explore new ideas, the tenacity to drive to execution, and flexibility to take on different roles and duties as required.\nOpen to candid feedback and brings initiative, humility and a strong desire to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.\nWhat We Offer You\nWe believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:\nCompetitive base salary and bonus opportunities\nPaid time off (three-week minimum)\nMedical, dental and vision starting day one\n401(k) with employer match\nPaid parental leave\nChild and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $3750)\nBundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)\nTuition assistance\nWellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums\n...and more!\nFirst Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.\nFirst Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.","company":"First Quality","rawCompany":"first quality","city":"Ridgeway","state":"SC","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-06T16:25:12.209Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1071.00","title":"Human Resources Specialists","slug":"human-resources-specialists"},{"code":"27-3031.00","title":"Public Relations Specialists","slug":"public-relations-specialists"},{"code":"11-3051.01","title":"Quality Control Systems Managers","slug":"quality-control-systems-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"322291","title":"Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing","slug":"sanitary-paper-product-manufacturing"},{"code":"813211","title":"Grantmaking Foundations","slug":"grantmaking-foundations"},{"code":"325620","title":"Toilet Preparation Manufacturing","slug":"toilet-preparation-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Employee Recognition Program Specialist","description":"Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.\nGuided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.\nWe are seeking an Employee Recognition Program Specialist and the role will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies and programs designed to recognize the milestones, contributions, and achievements of First Quality’s Team Members. The role is also responsible for building a culture of appreciation at First Quality, ensuring team members feel genuinely valued while extending that same spirit of care into the communities the company serves.\nThis role partners cross-functionally to design impactful tools and initiatives that resonate across the organization. This individual will be responsible for the end-to-end management of branded merchandise — from vendor relationships and contract negotiation to budget oversight and brand integrity — so that every touchpoint reflects First Quality's identity. Additionally, this role leads First Quality's charitable giving strategy, coordinating large-scale product donations and employee fundraising initiatives so the organization's community impact is as intentional and well-organized as its internal recognition efforts. This is a high-impact role that requires a self-motivated professional who can hit the ground running and deliver results quickly.\nPrincipal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:\nDesign and implement a technology platform to streamline and automate recognition, tracking milestones, anniversaries, and recognition history\nPartner with leaders across the organization to build recognition programs and events that are meaningful, inclusive, and aligned with company culture\nCollaborate with senior leadership, HR, and Communications to ensure engagement messaging resonates across operations and non-operations audiences, facilitating cross-functional committees to standardize best practices\nDevelop recognition program policies and procedures with HR that balance consistency and flexibility across the organization\nOwn the full lifecycle of branded merchandise, including vendor selection, inventory management, curation, pricing, and purchase orders\nBuild and negotiate key vendor relationships and contracts to secure competitive pricing through volume discounts and long-term partnerships\nProvide creative direction on merchandise design and trend-spotting to ensure all branded items reflect company visual identity\nLead Human Resource’s charitable giving strategy, serving as the primary point of contact for large-scale donation requests and enterprise-wide community partnerships\nCoordinate large-scale, cross-divisional product donations, ensuring proper approvals and alignment with brand and philanthropic goals\nPlan and execute employee fundraising campaigns, managing logistics, budgets, and vendor relationships\nAnalyze recognition, merchandise, and giving program data to identify trends and opportunities, developing reports and dashboards to track impact\nConduct ongoing benchmarking across all program areas to ensure they remain competitive, cost-efficient, and best in class\nQualifications/education and experience requirements:\nBachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent work experience\n4+ years of experience in rewards and recognition program management, employee engagement, or a related HR/communications function\nDemonstrated experience building or significantly contributing to recognition programs from the ground up\nProven vendor management experience, including contract negotiation, pricing discussions, and relationship building — with a track record of securing favorable terms\nExperience managing branded merchandise programs, including knowledge of swag ordering processes and brand compliance\nFamiliarity with recognition platforms or digital tools used to manage and automate employee programs\nProficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong Excel and PowerPoint skills; ability to analyze data and translate insights into clear presentations\nStrong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently\nExcellent communication skills with the ability to present program updates and insights to a variety of audiences\nSkills/Competencies:\nExceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills.\nAbility to communicate and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and business stakeholders.\nSelf-motivated and able to work with short deadlines and competing demands.\nStrong accountability and completion of tasks without close supervision.\nEmbraces an entrepreneurial mindset with a willingness to explore new ideas, the tenacity to drive to execution, and flexibility to take on different roles and duties as required.\nOpen to candid feedback and brings initiative, humility and a strong desire to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.\nWhat We Offer You\nWe believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:\nCompetitive base salary and bonus opportunities\nPaid time off (three-week minimum)\nMedical, dental and vision starting day one\n401(k) with employer match\nPaid parental leave\nChild and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $3750)\nBundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)\nTuition assistance\nWellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums\n...and more!\nFirst Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.\nFirst Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.","datePosted":"2026-08-06T16:25:12.209Z","dateModified":"2026-08-06T16:25:12.209Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"First Quality","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Ridgeway","addressRegion":"SC","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"ca89ef0cfb2b678a9c08d7fa"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/ca89ef0cfb2b678a9c08d7fa"}}