HR Service Center Specialist

GROWMARK is an agricultural cooperative serving almost 400,000 customers across North America, providing agronomy, energy, facility engineering and construction, and logistics products and services, as well as grain marketing and risk management services. Headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, GROWMARK owns the FS trademark, which is used by its member cooperatives. GROWMARK also owns and operates SEEDWAY, the largest full-line seed company in the United States. More information is available at growmark.com.

See what it's like to work at GROWMARK: https://youtu.be/CSVMnKCySsY

Under general supervision of the HR & Corporate Services Manager, supports the Human Resources Service Center by assisting employees with HR related inquiries and/or requests, or directing employees to the appropriate area of HR for assistance. Responsible for coordination and day one presentation of the new hire experience and orientation. This role is the first line of contact for employee inquiries and is expected to be responsive, solutions focused and undoubtedly provide unsurpassed customer service and follow-up.

Provides unsurpassed customer service, general guidance, and information to employees on human resources programs or policies including, but not limited to, employment, compensation, benefits, payroll, recognition and reward programs, retiree and gift programs, and general human resource policies and procedures.

Researches and responds to employee questions or concerns in a timely manner. Coordinates with the Employee Relations team on grievances or complaints to ensure a timely and appropriate resolution.

Leads and coordinates the new hire orientation process. Oversees the full life-cycle of the GROWMARK orientation process, including, but not limited to: communication and first day schedule coordination with new employee(s), provides assistance to supervisors to ensure a smooth new employee transition, and first day required paperwork completion. Completes and audits all paperwork to ensure compliance with company and Federal/State guidelines. Works with GROWMARK facilities, retails, and subsidiaries to ensure they are completing the necessary new employee paperwork in a timely manner.

Manages HR Administration vendors through maintaining and enhancing new and existing relationships. Procures contracts and develops opportunities for utilizing vendors to provide a better experience for the rest of human resources and an unsurpassed customer experience for all employees.

Establish core process and procedure documentation. Create efficiencies on processes within HR Administration.

Facilitates termination processing which includes completion of the termination checklist, workflow/transaction initiation within HRIS, providing guidance to supervisors, and processing PTO payout calculations.

Maintains a thorough knowledge of all group benefit plans and features. Assists Benefits with the employee retirement processing. In the event of an employee death, helps coordinate with employee’s supervisor and employee’s family through the transition.

Assist the HRIS and Payroll teams that includes data entry of employee transactions, managing workflow approvals, position management and other processing as needed.

Creates HR related communications, as needed, in coordination with the HR business area. Supports HR areas with regular periodic communications and programs. Utilizes ticket tracking software to review and analyze issues. Establishes proactive communication plan(s) for employees accordingly.

Provides training and support for, Employee Self Service (ESS), Manager Self Service (MSS), I-9 system, Perceptive Content, or other HR Systems, as needed. Responsible for maintaining HR kiosks content and provides leadership, training and support for HR kiosks located throughout the System.

Responsible for administering the GROWMARK unemployment process by documenting unemployment claims for GROWMARK, retail divisions, and subsidiaries. Responsible for providing the unemployment vendor accurate and timely information to ensure the claim is processed correctly.

Maintains confidential employee records and documentation for use in unemployment and compliance investigations. Coordinates and administers the access, authorization, and maintenance of all electronic employment personnel files. Provides training and leadership to users on the electronic employee file system.

Support general human resources projects including mergers, acquisitions, and program implementations.

Maintains and updates the HR SharePoint sites.

Responsible for employee program administration and HR invoice processing.

Maintains current knowledge of general human resources policies and programs within employment, payroll, compensation, employee relations and HRIS.

Serves as a backup for the HR Business Partner and supports interim HR retail and subsidiary administrators as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Normally requires a bachelor’s degree in human resources or business field with 3-5 years of related experience to demonstrate the ability to research, troubleshoot and communicate on human resources related topics.

Proven customer service, teamwork, business writing, communication, and business etiquette skills. Must also demonstrate the ability to retain confidential information. Ability to review/map processes with preferred background in lean six sigma.

Must have experience and be comfortable working in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint. Must be willing to learn new software and systems that support HR functions and programs.

Demonstrates essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development.

Ability and willingness to participate in required training that may include education on GROWMARK’s policies and procedures and additional training as it relates to the requirements of the position.

Ability to work hours beyond those considered “normal”.

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and able to travel independently and overnight when necessary.

We are an equal opportunity employer, including protected veterans and qualified individuals with disabilities. Employment may be contingent upon receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.