Human Resources Generalist

About the Company

Forest Recruiting Group, part of the Affiliated Recruiters Network, is a staffing and recruiting organization focused on matching skilled professionals with employers across a range of industries. The firm places particular emphasis on manufacturing, distribution, and corporate hiring, and it is known for a tailored approach, professionalism, and a long-term view of candidate and client relationships.

About the Role

An experienced Human Resources Generalist is needed for a well-established manufacturing company in Fremont, Ohio. This position is suited to someone who can balance day-to-day HR operations with employee support, compliance, safety, and process administration in a busy plant setting. The role acts as a bridge between employees and management, helping sustain a positive workplace, maintain policy and legal compliance, and support continuous improvement across the HR function.

Qualifications

The ideal applicant has a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a closely related discipline, along with 3 to 5 years of HR Generalist experience in manufacturing or distribution. Hands-on experience with incident investigations, employee relations, and leave administration, including FMLA, is important. Familiarity with payroll, timekeeping tools, and HRIS platforms is required, as is strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, for reporting and HR data analysis. The employer is also looking for someone who communicates well, works effectively both independently and with a team, adapts quickly to different software systems, and contributes to a strong employee experience.

Responsibilities

• Help maintain a safe workplace by supporting and reinforcing plant safety policies and initiatives.
• Act as a broad-based HR partner by handling employee relations matters, investigations, and leave administration, including FMLA.
• Carry out plant-level investigations with proper documentation, employee counseling, and follow-up actions.
• Deliver HR support for the manufacturing site through onboarding, employee engagement, and policy administration.
• Address employee concerns, help resolve workplace conflicts, and conduct exit interviews to strengthen employee relations.
• Support staffing partnerships for both hourly and salaried positions to keep workforce levels aligned with business needs.
• Co-facilitate new hire orientation and participate actively in onboarding activities.
• Administer Workers’ Compensation claims and FMLA cases while ensuring compliance and timely processing.
• Coach supervisors on HR procedures such as performance improvement plans, suspensions, and terminations.
• Enter and maintain accurate HR information in HRIS platforms, preserving data quality and reporting accuracy.
• Oversee the internal bidding process for job openings to ensure fair and transparent access to opportunities.
• Provide backup support for payroll and timekeeping processes to help ensure accurate, on-time processing.
• Assist with developing and updating HR policies so they remain legally compliant and aligned with business objectives.
• Create and roll out employee engagement activities that promote a positive and motivated workplace.
• Support off-shift production teams in a 24/7 environment and be available to visit during non-standard hours when needed.
• Review HR metrics and KPIs and use the findings to recommend improvements.
• Take on additional HR-related duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational goals.

Benefits

• Medical coverage begins on day one of employment.
• Paid holidays and vacation time are included.
• Tuition reimbursement is offered.
• An outstanding 401(k) plan is available with 100% matching up to 5%.
• Profit-sharing and bonus opportunities may be available.
• The workplace supports work-life balance, including flexibility for appointments and personal commitments.
• Employees may receive product giveaways and take part in team-building activities.
• The culture emphasizes recognition, camaraderie, and employee satisfaction.

Equal Opportunity

Forest Recruiting Group and its client maintain an inclusive hiring philosophy and provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. The goal is to support a fair, respectful workplace where people from all backgrounds can grow and succeed.