HR Generalist
Date: Aug 6, 2026
Location: Whitehall, WI, US, 54773
Company: Ornua Co-operative Limited
Job Title: HR Generalist
Career Level: P2
Function: Human Resources
Reports to: Lead HRBP
Location: Whitehall East and West
Position Type: Full Time
Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm
_____________________________________________________________________
Ornua is a leading dairy company and the proud owner of premium dairy brands enjoyed by consumers around the world. With annual revenues exceeding $3.7 billion and a global workforce of approximately 2,800 employees, Ornua operates across 10 business units and 12 production facilities spanning Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Africa.
In North America, Ornua is focused on delivering high-quality dairy products and ingredients to retail, foodservice, and food manufacturing customers. The company supports the growth of globally recognized brands, including Kerrygold, while also providing innovative dairy ingredient solutions to meet evolving customer needs.
Backed by a strong global supply network and deep dairy expertise, Ornua combines the strength of an international organization with a commitment to local markets, customers, and communities. Through its manufacturing facilities, commercial teams, and customer partnerships across the United States and Canada, Ornua continues to drive growth, innovation, and excellence throughout the dairy industry.
At Ornua, our success is built on our people, our values, and our commitment to delivering quality products and exceptional service to customers every day.
WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE
As the Human Resource Generalist, you will be responsible for the human resources needs of supporting the business units and implementation of best practices to assist the business in achieving the corporate business objectives. Responsibilities include but are not limited to employee relations, recruitment and staffing, onboarding of new employees, training, performance management policy implementation, coaching and mentoring employees, and assisting other support functions in employee benefits, safety and payroll. The Human Resource Generalist performs HR-related duties on a professional level, in collaboration with senior HR management to support designated business units.
The Human Resource Generalist must be able to build relationships and establish credibility with employees from cross functional departments. This position must be able to recognize and effectively adapt to changes in practices, and preferences from department to department.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Conduct thorough investigations regarding employee relations matters, safety and performance issues, or other behaviours that may be a violation of Company policy. Review results with supervisor and HR management, providing recommendations on course of action. Work with management to coach employees and discipline employees and resolve employee, team or business issues.
- Assist with recruitment efforts for non-exempt employees, temporary employees, and internal transfers. Follow in internal candidate and external candidate interview, selection and hiring process. Create and submit appropriate paperwork, ensuring a smooth onboarding process for the candidate.
- Coordinate and facilitate new hire orientations, assist new hires with onboarding, socializing the new hire with company information, systems and create a welcoming environment.
- Conduct employee feedback meetings and participate in management updates. Assist with making changes that improve the work environment and overall employee relations. Maintain employee feedback documents.
- Coach supervisors and area management regarding employee relations matters. Assist with communicating changes to employees that affect the business and support supervisors with counselling and difficult discussions as necessary.
- Engage with employees answering questions such as benefits, employee relations matters, transfers, wages and working conditions. Follow up with employee as needed. Report any concerns to supervisor and/or escalate to appropriate management and assist with maintaining a positive work environment.
- Conduct employee feedback meetings and participate in management updates. Assist with making changes that improve the work environment and overall employee relations. Maintain employee feedback documents.
- Assist with HR compliance audits for designated facilities.
- Provide guidance to employees on leave process and notify appropriate management of the employee’s needs.
- Facilitates and/or develops learning and training programs for employees and management; designated by HR or the business. Ensure employees required to attend training session are present.
- Serve as a liaison between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting, and administering policy, and helping to resolve work-related issues; escalating severe or complex issues to HRBP.
- Assist with validating Time and Attendance in support of payroll processing.
- Assist with coordinating facility celebrations and recognition initiatives.
- Responsible for maintaining the highest level of integrity, professionalism, fairness, and confidentiality in all aspects of job performance.
- Work effectively and communicate and relate well with others. Maintain effective and constructive working relationships.
- Actively participate in departmental meetings, training and education. Assist with training other employees and providing backup.
- Complete other duties, assignments and special projects assigned.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration or related field or equivalent work experience, Required.
- 3 years of Human Resource experience including employee relations in a manufacturing environment.
Desired Qualifications
- Bilingual (Spanish – English) preferred
WHY ORNUA?
Ornua is a purpose-driven, values-led co-operative creating value for Irish dairy farming families through our global operations. With 10 business units, 16 production facilities, and in-market teams across the world, we operate through two divisions — Ornua Foods, which markets our iconic consumer brands including Kerrygold and Pilgrims Choice, and Ornua Ingredients, which provides innovative, customized dairy ingredient solutions to our customers.
- Our Values lie at the core of everything we do. Our five values encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care, and Achieve Great Things Together.
- We invest in our people and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
- Career progression opportunities, including global mobility.
- Comprehensive benefits with region-specific offerings.
TOTAL REWARDS
At Ornua Ingredients North America, our Total Rewards package goes far beyond your paycheck. From day one, you’ll have access to a comprehensive benefits offering that includes: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Life Insurance, Accident, Hospital, and Critical Illness coverage, 401(k) with company matching and 100% immediate vesting, Generous Paid Time Off,20 weeks of Maternity Leave, Parental Leave, Annual Incentive Bonus, Career Growth and advance opportunities, and Education Reimbursement.
Would you like to make an impact? Apply today!
Ornua is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be provided with equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or genetic information. Ornua is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact Ornua People Services at 833-450-2385 or peopleservicesus@ornua.com.
This employer participates in E-Verify, a federal program that verifies the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. As part of the hiring process, information provided on your Form I-9 will be submitted to the E-Verify system. E-Verify compares your information to records maintained by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.
For more information about E-Verify, please visit www.e-verify.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Eau Claire