Associate | HR Generalist

Associate | HR Generalist

Syracuse, Indiana | On-Site | Full-Time

Reports to: Human Resources Manager

BE THE PERSON OUR TEAM MEMBERS TRUST WHEN IT MATTERS MOST.

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About the Role

At POLYWOOD®, our people are the reason we can build outdoor furniture that lasts for generations. When a team member has a concern, needs time away for a health issue, or gets hurt on the job, they deserve someone who knows what to do and treats them with respect.

We are hiring an Associate | HR Generalist to be that person. You will be a frontline partner for our team members and leaders in Syracuse, handling employee relations, investigations, leaves, workers' compensation, and unemployment, and making sure we get the details right every time.

This is not a role where you sit behind a desk processing paperwork. You will spend time on the production floor, get to know our team members, and be the steady, positive presence people come to when something isn't right.

You do not need a degree or HR experience to apply. If you have built these skills as a manager in healthcare, hospitality, or another people-focused field, we will consider that experience. You already know how to stay calm, protect confidential information, and take care of people on their hardest days.

Reporting to our Human Resources Manager, you will build your HR skills quickly, with support on the most complex situations.

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The Work You Will Own

You will be the first point of contact for employee relations questions and concerns, and the person who keeps every case moving: the right steps, the right documentation, and the right follow-up.

Your work will connect people, process, and compliance. You will listen first, follow the process carefully, keep confidential matters confidential, and know when to bring something to the Human Resources Manager.

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Where You Will Make an Impact

• Serving as the first point of contact for employee relations questions and concerns
• Conducting investigations, preparing documentation, and supporting employee separations
• Managing FMLA and short-term disability leaves, including eligibility, documentation, and compliance
• Administering workers' compensation cases, including medical coordination and return-to-work planning
• Coordinating and responding to unemployment claims and hearings
• Coaching team members and leaders on policy, performance, and best practices
• Partnering with Safety, our leaders, and third-party vendors
• Supporting the administration of employee evaluations
• Escalating complex or high-risk issues to HR leadership

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What You Bring

You are process oriented, with a high attention to detail. You follow the steps, catch what others miss, and keep records that are clean, complete, and on time.

You are highly organized and can multitask, keeping many cases, deadlines, and conversations moving at once without letting anything slip.

You handle confidential information with discretion. Team members and leaders trust you because you treat every situation fairly and privately.

You enjoy helping people and going the extra mile. You are flexible and adaptable, and you can pivot at a moment's notice when priorities change. You communicate clearly in person and in writing, and you are comfortable with Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace.

Most importantly, you bring a great attitude. Here, attitude is everything.

Bonus Points

• Experience in Human Resources
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

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About Us

At POLYWOOD®, we design and build outdoor furniture that brings people together and stands the test of time. We do this using sustainable materials, including our genuine POLYWOOD® lumber made from recycled plastics. The strength of our products starts with the strength of our people.

Our Human Resources team supports the people who build those products every day, and this role is at the heart of that support in Syracuse, Indiana.

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What Makes This Role Special

• You will make a real difference for people. Team members will come to you on some of their hardest days, and you will help them through it.
• You will learn the full range of HR. Employee relations, investigations, leaves, workers' compensation, and unemployment, all in one role.
• You will be close to the work. You will spend time on the production floor with the people who build our products.
• You will have a strong partner. You will work alongside our Human Resources Manager, who will support you on the most complex situations.
• Your experience from other industries counts. No degree or HR experience is required. Management experience in healthcare, hospitality, or another people-focused field will be considered.
• You will be based in Syracuse. This position is on-site in Syracuse, Indiana, with regular time on the production floor (standing, walking, and lifting up to 25 pounds).

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If you love helping people, take pride in getting things right, and bring a great attitude every day, we would love to hear from you.

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POLYWOOD is an equal opportunity employer. POLYWOOD evaluates qualified applicants without regard to characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Notice of AI Use in Job Application Review

As part of our commitment in creating a fair, efficient, and consistent hiring process we may use artificial intelligence (AI) to help our recruiting teams organize, summarize, and analyze information provided by candidates, including resumes, application responses, and other materials submitted during the application process.AI may be used to identify patterns, highlight relevant skills, and experience, and assist in comparing a candidate’s qualifications with the requirement of a specific role. These tools are to improve efficiency and consistency while supporting more informed hiring decisions, which will ultimately be made by the hiring team.