Employee Relations Advisor

Employee Relations Advisor

Requisition ID: 1810

Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L9C 5R8

Job Type: Full-Time

Who We Are

Becoming experts on beer doesn't happen overnight - we've been in business since 1927 and today, The Beer Store is the primary distribution and sales channel for beer in Ontario and is owned by 28+ Ontario-based brewers! Through our Retail Stores, Distribution Centres, Draught Services, Customer Experience Centre, and our Corporate Office, we form one large team that is passionate about the beer business. The Beer Store is proud to foster a respectful and inclusive culture that expands and leverages the diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives of our team members to deliver exceptional service for our customers. We continue to be successful by working together, respecting each other, having a positive attitude and by trying new and innovative ideas. Not only are we knowledgeable, passionate, and loyal ambassadors for beer, we’re also health and safety advocates, environmental champions, DEIB enthusiasts and we give proudly back to our communities.

The Role

We are currently searching for an Employee Relations Advisor , reporting to the Manager, Employee Relations. This vacancy is an full-time, permanent opportunity. As we continue to evolve our Human Resources function toward a Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) model, this role will be instrumental in enabling that transformation. Acting as a key partner to business leaders, the Employee Relations Advisor will provide high-level guidance and expertise on employee and labour relations matters, helping to align people strategies with operational priorities. In this role, you will take a proactive, solutions-focused approach to managing employee relations risks and opportunities across a diverse, unionized workforce. You will provide strategic support on complex workplace matters, including investigations, performance and conduct issues, and collective agreement interpretation, ensuring consistent, fair, and compliant outcomes. Working closely with leaders, you will help build organizational capability by coaching, influencing, and supporting informed decision-making. You will also contribute to fostering a positive, respectful workplace culture and strengthening labour relations through effective collaboration and thoughtful advisory support.

Location

Our Corporate Office is located in Bolton, ON. This is a field-based role with visits to the office on an as-needed basis. This role will primarily support a territory across Southwestern Ontario and requires extensive field travel. The ideal candidate will live in Soutwestern Ontario. A company vehicle is provided therefore a valid G-class driver’s license and clean driver's abstract is required.

What You'll Be Doing

• Work closely with all levels of management, within assigned client group, on various HR/Labour relations issues, including collective agreement interpretation and application, policy and procedure development/implementation, progressive discipline, and performance management.
• Conduct and lead workplace investigations, prepare reports and make recommendations related to complaints of misconduct, harassment, and violence in the workplace.
• Use creative problem solving to lead discussions to resolve conflict and negotiate settlements between the Union and Management.
• Act in an advisory capacity to support operations and to ensure compliance with company policy and legislation
• Research legislative and labour relations issues to provide sound guidance; seeking advice from legal counsel as needed
• Develop and present training related to Collective Agreement and Employee Relations initiatives and programs
• Manage, track and evaluate attendance management of unionized staff through quarterly reporting
• Assist Senior Manager in presenting cases at arbitrations or industry trouble shooter sessions
• Contribute to the bargaining process through research and proposal development, attend or lead grievance meetings and assist with negotiations and settlement conferences as required
• Assist in the development of corporate strategies that will provide a healthy employee relations environment
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Who You Are - Your Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Education

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Commerce or Business Administration with a concentration on Human Resources or Industrial Relations required

Experience

• 3-5 years of Human Resources experience required
• 3-5 years working within a unionized environment, representing the Company and leading meetings/hearings required
• Experience with contract administration, collective bargaining, and arbitration hearings would be considered an asset
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience considered an asset
• Previous experience working within a retail or distribution center environment considered an asset
• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations, including gathering evidence, interviewing stakeholders, and producing clear, defensible findings

Skills

• Thorough understanding of provincial legislation as it related to labour relations and labour codes, including the ability to interpret legislation to coach and recommend courses of action and liability related to policies
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent levels of communication both verbal and written
• Proficiency at an intermediate level with Microsoft Office Suite, and previous experience with an HRIS
• Excellent time management skills to ensure timely and efficient responses to grievances, investigations and adhoc inquiries

Compensation

Salary range? Yup, we’ve got one: $65,900 - $82,400 CAD per year. But here’s the real deal - if you’re the perfect brew of experience, skills, and personality, we’re open to exploring beyond the range. Tell us what you’re working with, and let’s pour over it together.

What We Offer

Our success as an organization is a result of our commitment to our greatest strength…our people! We believe that any opportunity we can provide to help further your career growth and development is an investment in not only your individual success, but our overall success as a business. We work to recognize you in meaningful ways including a competitive compensation, incentive pay, a flex health benefits program, employee & family assistance program, defined pension plan with company matching, recognition programs, tuition reimbursement program, hybrid work arrangement, generous paid time off and summer hours program, employee special offers, and a casual dress and work environment.

• Benefits and perks are dependent upon role and status and are subject to change at the sole discretion of the company.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to providing a respectful and empowering workplace that values our greatest resource, our people. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging are essential components of our culture that empower us to meet the needs of our employees, customers and communities. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds including racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and any other characteristic. We’re an equal opportunity employer and provide employment accommodation in accordance with provincial legislation. If contacted for an employment opportunity or testing, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process.

We genuinely thank you for your interest in this opportunity with us. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.