HR Operations Specialist

W.W. Grainger - Lake Forest, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Lake Forest, IL

1,001-5,000 employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods

About the position

As a leading industrial distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan, and the United Kingdom, we are dedicated to providing quality service in the area of Human Resources and Payroll. This role involves answering inquiries on policies and programs, providing resolution to inquiries for all team members through multi-channel support throughout the entire team member life-cycle, from hire to retire. You will be a critical partner to the HR Operations team and other key stakeholders, supporting HR process optimization, technology enablement, and ensuring a best-in-class team member experience. The hours of operation for this role are between 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and you will report to a Manager in HR Service Delivery. This is a hybrid role located in Lake Forest, IL. In this position, you will act as an expert in HR matters, resolving complex team member inquiries and issues. You will work directly with HR Service Representatives to troubleshoot inquiries by leveraging your in-depth knowledge of all facets of HR. Providing an exceptional service experience to all active and inactive team members on HR matters is essential, as is promoting level 0 support when applicable. You will respond to inquiries consistently in a timely, accurate, and professional manner, demonstrating the ability to translate inquiries into a case management application during interactions. You will embrace curiosity by asking probing questions to get to the root of issues, maintaining an organized workflow by monitoring and following up on all assigned items, and ensuring problems are resolved and closed with team members. Acting as a liaison with other HR teams, vendors, and third-party administrators will be part of your responsibilities, as will maintaining a deep understanding of Human Resources to provide guidance on policies, procedures, payroll, total rewards, talent programs, and performance management. You will work closely with the HR Operations team to flag themes and trends around team member questions, driving more standardized documentation and support for self-service and technology enablement. Your ability to thrive in managing multiple ambiguous situations across various levels within the organization will be crucial, as will your quick learning ability to understand and execute documented processes while building strong technology acumen around all Grainger tools.

Responsibilities

• Act as an expert in HR matters to resolve complex team member inquiries and issues.
• Work directly with HR Service Representatives to troubleshoot team member inquiries.
• Provide an exceptional service experience to all active and inactive team members on HR matters.
• Respond to team member inquiries consistently in a timely, accurate, and professional manner.
• Translate inquiries into a case management application during interactions.
• Embrace curiosity by asking probing questions to get to the root of issues.
• Maintain an organized workflow by monitoring and following up on all assigned items.
• Function as a liaison with other HR teams, vendors, and third-party administrators.
• Maintain a deep understanding of Human Resources to provide guidance on policies and procedures.
• Work closely with HR Operations team to flag themes and trends around team member questions.

Requirements

• Excellent service and problem solving/resolution skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle escalated, sensitive, and often complex team member issues.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with team members at all levels.
• Ability to de-escalate emotional situations and manage through tough situations with ease.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with close attention to detail.
• Deep and broad understanding of all HR policies, programs, and processes.
• Superior command of all HR policies, programs, systems, tools, and processes.
• Strong technical aptitude with ability to work in various technology platforms simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and make unsupervised decisions.
• Familiarity with pay impacts as a result of benefit enrollments, garnishments, and taxes.
• Demonstrates good judgment and maintains confidentiality and privacy of all personal, payroll, or sensitive data.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, SAP HR / Payroll and SuccessFactors experience strongly desired.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with HR technology platforms.
• Knowledge of labor laws and regulations.
• Experience in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage starts day one.
• Paid time off (PTO) days and 6 company holidays per year.
• 6% 401(k) company contribution each pay period.
• Employee discounts, parental leave, and more.