HR Business Partner | Labor Relations & Field Operations

Vaco by Highspring

Tacoma, Washington | Pacific Northwest

• Support a large operational workforce across Washington and the Pacific Northwest
• Approximately 30% regional travel
• Based onsite in the Tacoma area when not visiting field locations

Search Overview

Vaco by Highspring has been engaged by a nationally recognized industry leader to identify an HR Business Partner supporting a large, multi-site operation throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

This highly visible role serves as a trusted advisor to operational leadership and plays a critical role in helping drive workforce effectiveness across a geographically dispersed employee population. The position combines employee relations leadership, manager coaching, workforce planning, retention initiatives, employee engagement, and talent development responsibilities within a fast-paced operational environment.

The successful candidate will be comfortable partnering directly with frontline leadership, handling complex workforce issues, influencing business outcomes through workforce data, and maintaining a strong field presence across multiple locations.

Compensation

Base Salary: $100,000 - $120,000

Unable to exceed the listed range. Final compensation will be determined based on qualifications, experience, skills, and other job-related factors.

In addition to base salary, the position offers:

• 15% discretionary annual bonus
• Company vehicle provided
• Gas and insurance covered
• Comprehensive benefits package

Benefits Include

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Transit and parking reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Additional voluntary benefits

Organizational Impact

This role helps strengthen the organization by:

• Supporting employee relations strategies across multiple locations.
• Improving workforce retention and operational continuity.
• Coaching managers on workforce challenges and leadership effectiveness.
• Supporting organizational strength and talent development initiatives.
• Elevating employee engagement and recognition efforts.
• Identifying workforce trends and communicating meaningful insights to leadership.
• Partnering with operational leaders to improve workforce performance and business outcomes.

Location & Travel Requirements

• Based in the Tacoma area.
• 100% onsite when not traveling.
• Approximately 30% travel throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
• Increased travel during peak operational periods.
• Candidates must currently reside within commuting distance of Tacoma.
• Remote and relocation candidates will not be considered due to the urgency of the hiring process and the onsite nature of the role.

Key Role Requirements

• Demonstrated experience supporting complex employee relations matters, investigations, corrective action, workforce challenges, and policy interpretation.
• Ability to travel throughout the assigned region.
• Comfortable supporting a 24/7 operation, including occasional evenings and off-hours when business needs require.
• Strong understanding of workforce metrics and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to work independently and operate effectively in a field-based environment.
• Strong business partnership skills and operational mindset.

Position Overview

The HR Business Partner will support a geographically dispersed hourly workforce operating across multiple locations throughout Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

This role requires a balance of strategic partnership and day-to-day execution. The HRBP will serve as a key resource to operational leaders while providing expertise in employee relations, manager coaching, workforce planning, retention strategies, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.

Success in this role requires strong operational credibility, comfort working independently in the field, and the ability to effectively navigate both employee and leadership challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR Business Partner for assigned locations throughout the region.
• Support a workforce of approximately 800 employees across full-time and part-time populations.
• Partner with operational leadership to support business objectives and workforce initiatives.
• Maintain a strong field presence through regular site visits.
• Lead complex employee relations matters, investigations, corrective actions, policy interpretation, and workplace conflict resolution.
• Conduct workplace investigations and recommend appropriate resolutions.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and company policies.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning, talent acquisition, and organizational design initiatives.
• Coach managers on employee engagement, performance improvement, retention, communication strategies, and leadership effectiveness.
• Analyze turnover, retention, engagement, and workforce trends to identify opportunities and risks.
• Support organizational strength initiatives focused on talent development, workforce continuity, and leadership capability.
• Assist with implementation of HR programs, systems, technology, and organizational initiatives.
• Partner with HR leadership on regional projects and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Approximately 3+ years of progressive HR Generalist and/or HR Business Partner experience supporting field-based operational environments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence business outcomes through employee relations, manager coaching, retention initiatives, workforce planning, and operational partnership.
• Experience supporting large-scale, multi-site hourly workforce populations.
• Experience within transportation, logistics, manufacturing, distribution, retail, hospitality, aviation, or similar operational environments.
• Proven experience partnering directly with frontline and operational leadership teams.
• Extensive employee relations experience, including investigations, conflict resolution, corrective action, policy interpretation, and performance management.
• Experience supporting operations with multiple locations, complex schedules, and changing business priorities.
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience using workforce data and HR metrics to drive business outcomes.
• Experience supporting employee lifecycle activities, including onboarding, leave administration, benefits, and HR systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout the assigned region.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Union experience is a plus but not required.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or similar HR certification preferred.

Ideal Background

We're particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate:

• Career progression and increasing responsibility within organizations.
• Strong employee relations ownership.
• Experience supporting operational, transportation, logistics, manufacturing, aviation, or similar workforce environments.
• A hands-on, field-oriented approach to HR partnership.
• The ability to build credibility with frontline employees and operational leadership.
• Strong retention, workforce planning, and manager coaching capabilities.
• Resourcefulness and a practical approach to problem-solving.

Career Development

The organization places a strong emphasis on succession planning, talent development, and identifying high-potential individuals who can make an impact across the business. This role provides broad exposure to leadership development, employee relations, retention strategy, workforce planning, organizational effectiveness, and evolving HR strategy.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role depends upon a wide array of factors including:

• Individual skill sets, experience, and training
• Licensure and certification requirements
• Geographic location
• Business and organizational needs

As required by applicable law, the salary range referenced above represents a reasonable estimate of base compensation for this position. The selected candidate may also be eligible for discretionary bonus opportunities and participation in the company's benefits programs.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its affiliates are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided throughout the application and interview process for qualified individuals who require assistance.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that Vaco by Highspring may represent you for this employment opportunity and may consider you for future opportunities requiring similar qualifications. You further represent that all information provided is accurate and complete and agree to maintain confidentiality regarding information shared throughout the recruiting process.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and is committed to maintaining transparent privacy practices. Submissions to this position may be subject to preliminary AI-assisted screening focused solely on qualification alignment. All subsequent candidate evaluations will be conducted by recruiting professionals and hiring teams.