Employee/Labor Relations Specialist

Job Title: Employee/Labor Relations SpecialistLocation: North Lawrence, NYEmployment Type: Direct HireIndustry: Manufacturing / Food & Beverage (Dairy)Compensation: Up to $95K annually **Based on experienceSchedule: Onsite M-F Business Hours; must be available for off-shift support in a 24/7/365 environmentAbout the Opportunity:The Employee/Labor Relations Specialist serves as a key partner to plant leadership, HR, and union representatives within a high-volume manufacturing environment. This role focuses on administering collective bargaining agreements, managing employee relations matters, and supporting a positive, compliant, and productive workplace.Why You'll Love Working Here:• Supportive, team-driven culture that values collaboration, transparency, and accountability• Opportunity to grow your career with a global workforce solutions leader serving multiple industries• People-first environment that encourages employees to bring their authentic selves to work• Strong focus on partnership, innovation, and delivering meaningful results for clients and candidatesWhy This Opportunity is Exciting:This role offers the opportunity to play a critical part in fostering a positive labor environment while directly supporting operational success. You'll gain hands-on experience in labor relations strategy, negotiations, and continuous improvement within a stable and well-established organization. About Acara SolutionsAcara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider—we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide. Sound like a good fit?APPLY TODAY **Please send resumes to Cara at sellonc@acarasolutions.com** What You'll Do:• Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and advise leadership on labor-related matters• Manage grievances, investigations, and arbitration processes from intake through resolution• Support labor negotiations, including bargaining strategy, proposal development, and implementation• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, resolve issues, and support operational goals• Track and analyze labor relations metrics to drive continuous improvement and reduce recurring issuesWhat You'll Bring:• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources, Industrial/Labor Relations, Business, or related field.• Minimum 4 years of experience in labor/employee relations within a unionized manufacturing environment.• Minimum 4 years of experience with CBA administration, grievance handling, and participation in collective bargaining. What Sets You Apart:• Experience working across multiple union environments or locations.• Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, TPM).• Experience supporting or participating in arbitration proceedings.• Advanced degree or HR certification (SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR).• Bilingual skills (Spanish/English).