ASTEC
Director, Positive Employee Engagement and Labor Relations
ASTEC, Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, 37450
Director, Positive Employee Engagement and Labor Relations
Astec is an industry leader with more than 4,000 employees dedicated to building roads and infrastructure that connect communities. We invest in training, career development, and wellbeing programs to support our people and create a safe, inclusive workplace. Our culture is founded on trust, collaboration, and a commitment to equity for all employees.
Location:
Chattanooga, TN
About the Position The Positive Employee Engagement and Labor Relations Director fosters a workplace culture that promotes trust, collaboration, and employee satisfaction. The role leads strategies to strengthen employee relations and labor relations, enhances engagement initiatives, and ensures compliance with labor laws and company policies. This executive advisor works with leadership to drive initiatives that support a positive work environment and align with Astec’s values.
Deliverables & Responsibilities Employee Relations Strategy
Develop and implement proactive employee relations programs that maintain a positive and productive work environment.
Act as a trusted resource for employees and managers to resolve workplace concerns fairly and consistently.
Serve as liaison between the organization and collective‑bargaining units, ensuring effective communication and collaboration on labor‑related matters.
KPIs – Employee Relations
Reduction in employee grievances annually.
Average resolution time for employee issues.
Positive feedback score from employee representatives.
Engagement Initiatives
Design and execute strategies to improve employee morale, retention, and overall satisfaction.
Lead employee surveys, analyze results, and create action plans to address feedback.
Facilitate regular listening sessions across departments to gather employee input and foster open communication.
Define a communications plan with HR Business Partners and the Communications Team to promote company benefits and the value proposition, especially to the shop floor.
KPIs – Engagement
Year‑over‑year improvement in employee engagement scores.
Number of listening sessions conducted.
Participation rate of the workforce.
Completion of action plans post‑survey.
Labor Relations Management
Lead negotiations for collective bargaining agreements and labor contracts.
Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and labor unions.
Monitor and interpret labor laws, regulations, and union agreements to ensure compliance.
Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
Partner with Legal and HR teams to mitigate risks and manage investigations when necessary.
Develop and administer workplace compliance strategies, including policies, audits, and training programs.
KPIs – Compliance
100% completion of compliance audits on schedule.
Compliance training completion rate.
Retention Strategies
Partner with HR Business Partners to develop and execute retention strategies that address turnover trends and enhance the employee experience.
KPIs – Retention
Reduction in voluntary turnover annually.
Retention rate of high‑performing employees.
Implementation of retention initiatives.
Leadership Coaching & Training
Provide guidance and training to managers on effective employee and labor relations practices.
Promote leadership behaviors that reinforce a positive and inclusive culture.
KPIs – Leadership
Manager training completion rate.
Improvement in leadership effectiveness scores.
Reduction in escalated employee relations cases.
Culture & Communication
Develop communication strategies that keep employees informed and engaged.
KPIs – Culture
Increase in internal communication engagement.
Positive culture survey results.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).
8+ years of progressive HR experience with a focus on employee relations and engagement.
Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations and experience with collective bargaining agreements.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
Proven ability to influence and build relationships across all levels of the organization.
Core Competencies
Strategic Thinking
Emotional Intelligence
Problem‑Solving
Collaboration and Teamwork
Change Management
Supervisor and Leadership Expectations
Manage employee relations budget initiatives such as engagement surveys, manager trainings, and engagement activities.
Our Culture and Values
Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers.
Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business.
Respect for all individuals.
Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.
Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success.
Travel Requirement:
30% domestic travel.
Work Environment While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment and occasionally in a manufacturing shop plant environment. Duties include a typical office setting with extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Equal Opportunity Employer Astec is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.
Job Metadata
Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Human Resources
Industry: Machinery Manufacturing
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Location:
Chattanooga, TN
About the Position The Positive Employee Engagement and Labor Relations Director fosters a workplace culture that promotes trust, collaboration, and employee satisfaction. The role leads strategies to strengthen employee relations and labor relations, enhances engagement initiatives, and ensures compliance with labor laws and company policies. This executive advisor works with leadership to drive initiatives that support a positive work environment and align with Astec’s values.
Deliverables & Responsibilities Employee Relations Strategy
Develop and implement proactive employee relations programs that maintain a positive and productive work environment.
Act as a trusted resource for employees and managers to resolve workplace concerns fairly and consistently.
Serve as liaison between the organization and collective‑bargaining units, ensuring effective communication and collaboration on labor‑related matters.
KPIs – Employee Relations
Reduction in employee grievances annually.
Average resolution time for employee issues.
Positive feedback score from employee representatives.
Engagement Initiatives
Design and execute strategies to improve employee morale, retention, and overall satisfaction.
Lead employee surveys, analyze results, and create action plans to address feedback.
Facilitate regular listening sessions across departments to gather employee input and foster open communication.
Define a communications plan with HR Business Partners and the Communications Team to promote company benefits and the value proposition, especially to the shop floor.
KPIs – Engagement
Year‑over‑year improvement in employee engagement scores.
Number of listening sessions conducted.
Participation rate of the workforce.
Completion of action plans post‑survey.
Labor Relations Management
Lead negotiations for collective bargaining agreements and labor contracts.
Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and labor unions.
Monitor and interpret labor laws, regulations, and union agreements to ensure compliance.
Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
Partner with Legal and HR teams to mitigate risks and manage investigations when necessary.
Develop and administer workplace compliance strategies, including policies, audits, and training programs.
KPIs – Compliance
100% completion of compliance audits on schedule.
Compliance training completion rate.
Retention Strategies
Partner with HR Business Partners to develop and execute retention strategies that address turnover trends and enhance the employee experience.
KPIs – Retention
Reduction in voluntary turnover annually.
Retention rate of high‑performing employees.
Implementation of retention initiatives.
Leadership Coaching & Training
Provide guidance and training to managers on effective employee and labor relations practices.
Promote leadership behaviors that reinforce a positive and inclusive culture.
KPIs – Leadership
Manager training completion rate.
Improvement in leadership effectiveness scores.
Reduction in escalated employee relations cases.
Culture & Communication
Develop communication strategies that keep employees informed and engaged.
KPIs – Culture
Increase in internal communication engagement.
Positive culture survey results.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).
8+ years of progressive HR experience with a focus on employee relations and engagement.
Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations and experience with collective bargaining agreements.
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
Proven ability to influence and build relationships across all levels of the organization.
Core Competencies
Strategic Thinking
Emotional Intelligence
Problem‑Solving
Collaboration and Teamwork
Change Management
Supervisor and Leadership Expectations
Manage employee relations budget initiatives such as engagement surveys, manager trainings, and engagement activities.
Our Culture and Values
Continuous devotion to meeting the needs of our customers.
Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business.
Respect for all individuals.
Preserving entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.
Safety, quality and productivity as means to ensure success.
Travel Requirement:
30% domestic travel.
Work Environment While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly exposed to risk of injury in an office environment and occasionally in a manufacturing shop plant environment. Duties include a typical office setting with extensive computer work, sitting or standing. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Equal Opportunity Employer Astec is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.
Job Metadata
Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Human Resources
Industry: Machinery Manufacturing
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