HR Specialist

You have a choice of where you want to work! We invite you along on our journey to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to attract, retain, and energize passionate people, like you, by investing in your professional development and providing opportunities for personal growth.
Do your values align with ours? Accountability, Growth mindset, One team, Care and a fair and inclusive work environment for everyone, everywhere!
We strive to meet the highest standards of corporate citizenship by protecting the health and safety of our team, safeguarding the environment, and creating a long-lasting, positive impact on the communities where we do business.  Are you with us?!?

This position works with the HR Manager supporting the unionized 24/7 manufacturing plant with  430 employees including interviewing, hiring and on-boarding, administering pay, benefits and leave policies, enforcing company policies and HRIS subject matter expert.

Main Responisibility Areas and Essential Functions:

• Leads recruitment efforts for hourly and salary personnel and coordination of temporary employees; collaborates with departmental managers to understand skills and competencies required for openings.


• Conducts new employee onboarding, post offer testing and background and reference checks.


• Handles routine labor relations and human resource inquiries related to policies, procedures, and bargaining agreements; refers complex matters to appropriate management staff.


• Conducts initial interviews and gathers information for employee relations matters such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other concerns; informs appropriate HR staff when additional investigation is required.


• Maintains job posting procedures, internal restructuring, change notices and seniority lists.


• Maintains records, reports, and logs pertaining to EEO reporting and Affirmative Action Planning.


• Partners with our vendor in the site Family Medical Leave process: Understands and complies with Federal and Wisconsin Family Medical Leave laws; Recognizing when an employee’s absence qualifies for FML, and responding to employee leave questions and requests


• Manages Worker’s Compensation protocols, claim follow-up and other safety related employee testing to include post offer physicals, near miss documentation, respirator, hearing, first aid screenings and training and required OSHA reporting.


• Supports continuous improvement initiatives in HR and operations.


• Addresses employee benefit questions and provides supporting with new hire enrollment and during annual open enrollment.


• Maintains employee attendance records and follow-ups with necessary disciplinary actions.


• Maintains Human Resource Information Systems (ADP and SuccessFactors) records; compiles reports form HRIS database as needed.

• Posts electronic and local announcements as special events to enhance communications.

• Must follow Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s manufacturing and hygiene processes, procedures and policies, as applicable, to the position’s areas of responsibility, in order to meet and maintain the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance requirements for each grade of paper.


• Adhere to all safety policies, OSHA regulations and Global Food Safety Iniative (GFSI) Standards.


• Assists department in carrying out various human resource programs and operations support across all employee populations.  Acts as liaison for employee relations issues in the absence of HR Manager, participating in operations and Labor/Management meetings as required.


• Performs other duties as required and assigned.

Experience and Education:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in HR or a business related field and three (3) years’ experience in the Human Resources field.


• Must be able to exercise independent judgment and maintain confidentiality.


• Computer literate – Microsoft Windows/Word/Excel/PowerPoint and HRIS.


• Experience in LEAN manufacturing principles and other Continuous Improvement programs is a must.

Formal Education:

Bachelor’s degree – in HR, Management or related field desired

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred

Required Competencies: 

Labor Relations Expertise:  Comfortable working in a union environment.  Knowledge of Weingarten Rights, NLRA and NLRB.  Excellent interpersonal, negotiations and conflict management skills

HR Knowledge/Expertise: Solid track record in developing and implementing the key HR processes. HR knowledge and experience to apply local legislation in all areas of employment life cycle. 

Diversity & Inclusiveness:  Fosters an inclusiveness culture among team members and leaders.  Embraces an open mindset and respect to different perspectives and cultures.

Builds relationships:  Establishes trust and respect for others. Develops a mutual accountability.  Collaborates with team members and stakeholders to achieve common goals. 

Business Acumen:  Demonstrates a working knowledge of the labor market and its connection to organizational success.  Understands manufacturing and operational processes. 

Consultation:  Coaches leaders on HR matters. Problem solves with stakeholders and develops creative HR solutions.  Ability to have difficult and courageous conversations.

Action Oriented: Motivated to act with urgency and can prioritize.  Handles challenges in stride with a positive demeanor.  Able to adapt and make decisions.  Exercise a high degree of self-motivation and ability to work independently with little supervision.

High Integrity:  Acts with uncompromising integrity.  Role models ethical behavior.

Ahlstrom is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Equal opportunity is a sound and just concept to which we are firmly bound. Ahlstrom will not engage in discrimination against, or harassment of, any person employed or seeking employment with our company based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, non-disqualifying disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.
 
About Us.
Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. 

Read more at www.ahlstrom.com.