About Us Ampersand Brands is a growing portfolio of beloved confectionery brands, including Hammond’s Candies, the iconic hand-crafted candy maker, and Lolli & Pops, a premium retail and gifting brand with a national presence. The company is backed by strong growth ambitions, combining innovation, brand storytelling, and operational excellence to expand its reach and solidify its position as a leading player in the U.S. confections industry. We are looking for an experienced, bilingual Senior HR Generalist to support our production operations in a fast-paced candy manufacturing environment. In this role, you will be a trusted HR partner to our production employees and frontline leaders, helping create a positive, productive workplace while supporting the full employee lifecycle — from recruitment and onboarding to employee relations, investigations, performance management, and terminations. The ideal candidate is approachable, proactive, and comfortable working directly on the production floor to build relationships with a diverse workforce. You will bring strong judgment, professionalism, and a people-first mindset, along with the ability to coach frontline managers and partner with senior leadership on employee matters and business priorities. Key Responsibilities Recruitment & Onboarding • Partner with production leaders to identify staffing needs across production, packaging, warehouse, and other operational positions. • Coordinate hiring activities, including job postings, candidate screening, interviews, and onboarding. • Ensure new hires complete required employment documentation, orientation, and company policies and procedures. Employee Relations & Performance Management • Serve as a trusted resource for employees, addressing workplace concerns, conflicts, and HR-related questions. • Conduct timely, objective workplace investigations, document findings, and recommend appropriate resolutions. • Coach supervisors and managers on performance management, attendance, corrective action, and consistent policy application. • Support disciplinary actions and terminations in accordance with company policies and applicable employment laws. • Escalate sensitive or complex employee matters to HR leadership as appropriate. Production Floor Support & Employee Engagement • Maintain a visible presence on the production floor to build trust, understand employee needs, and address concerns proactively. • Communicate company policies, expectations, and workplace updates clearly in both English and Spanish. • Support employee engagement, recognition, retention, and workforce communication initiatives, such as monthly birthday celebrations, work anniversaries, and team milestones. • Plan and coordinate company holiday events and seasonal gatherings, including vendors, budgets, and bilingual communications to production teams. • Identify trends in turnover, absenteeism, and employee morale, and recommend practical solutions. Leadership Partnership & HR Compliance • Assist with board meeting preparation and logistics, including scheduling, materials, room setup, and catering, as well as other leadership meetings and company events as needed. • Build strong working relationships with production supervisors, managers, and senior leaders. • Provide HR guidance on staffing, employee relations, workforce planning, and operational challenges. • Maintain accurate employee records, investigation documentation, and personnel files. • Support compliance with applicable employment laws, company policies, and internal procedures. • Track workforce metrics and identify opportunities to improve HR processes and consistency. Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered. • 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in manufacturing, food production, distribution, or a similar hourly workforce environment. • Fluency in English and Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively with employees and leaders at all levels. • Experience supporting hourly employees and frontline managers in a hands-on operational setting. • Demonstrated experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, and disciplinary actions. • Knowledge of recruitment, onboarding, HR practices, and employment law compliance. • Excellent communication, problem-solving, interpersonal, and organizational skills. • Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion, exercise sound judgment, and build credibility with employees and leadership. • Experience with Rippling preferred and Microsoft Office.