Sr. Director Labor Relations (100% Virtual Remote)

About the role

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The Labor Relations, Sr Director is responsible for shaping and leading the company's labor relations agenda while supporting the "You Matter" culture. This role partners with senior leadership to design strategies that foster positive labor-management relations, mitigate risk, and align with long-term business objectives.

Key responsibilities include leading complex collective bargaining negotiations, managing arbitration and grievance processes, and overseeing company responses to regulatory matters. The position requires a proactive, collaborative leader with deep labor relations expertise, strong executive influence, and a demonstrated ability to promote a workplace culture where associates feel valued, respected, and supported.

This position has been segmented as Remote Anywhere meaning the work is completed 100% remote anywhere in the U.S. except Hawaii or United States Territories.

Responsibilities

• Direct labor relations activities, programs, and strategy implementation to achieve goals aligned with company objectives while fostering a "You Matter" culture where every associate feels valued and respected.
• Serve as chief spokesperson in contract negotiations, representing the company and operationalizing labor policies that are both market-competitive and strategically aligned, while reinforcing a culture of inclusion and respect.
• Provide advice and counsel in grievance-arbitration matters and occasionally act as company advocate in labor arbitration cases, ensuring consistent, fair, and equitable application of company policies and practices.
• Manage the preparation and presentation of responses to charges under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) with integrity and transparency.
• Stay current on labor relations trends, case law, and best practices in the distribution industry, integrating relevant insights that support both business objectives and associate engagement.
• Drive excellence in negotiations by ensuring thorough preparation and successful execution of labor contracts that balance organizational needs with associate value and respect.
• Assess and develop labor and employee relations training programs, in partnership with business leaders, to build organizational capability and reinforce a "You Matter" culture.
• Other duties as assigned by manager.

Relatoinships

• Internal: This role partners closely with Executive Leadership; Supply Chain and Field Operational leadership; Human Resources; Legal; and Finance
• External: This role collaborates with union representatives, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), external labor counsel, industry associations, and consultants to manage labor negotiations, resolve disputes, ensure regulatory compliance, and incorporate best practices into the company's labor relations strategy.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of labor relations experience, with relevant industry experience in retail, wholesale, manufacturing, consumer products, or distribution.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience presenting cases before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
• Extensive experience in the development and execution of labor relations strategies.
• Hands-on experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and labor contracts.
• Proven ability to work with and influence leaders at all levels, from frontline supervisors to C-Suite executives.
• Willingness to travel up to 75% of the time.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline required. Law degree preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in leading labor relations within large, multi-site organizations.
• Advanced knowledge of labor law and grievance-arbitration processes.
• Track record of fostering a positive labor-management relationship and promoting a "You Matter" culture.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret labor trends and data to drive strategic decisions.
• Proven ability to develop and mentor labor relations teams or HR professionals.
• Experience managing high-profile or complex labor disputes with measurable outcomes.

• This role will also receive an annual incentive plan bonus and a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP).
• Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance.

Pay and benefits

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between $145,000 - $225,000