Director Labor Relations

Reporting to the Vice President Human Resources the Director Labor Relations serves as a strategic advisor to business and manufacturing leaders shaping labor and employee relations strategies that advance both organizational performance and employee engagement. This leader develops and executes a modern labor relations strategy across manufacturing operations fostering productive relationships with represented employees union leadership plant leadership teams and key stakeholders.

As the enterprise expert in labor relations this role leads the organizations collective bargaining strategy and serves as the primary representative in labor negotiations partnering closely with Operations Human Resources Finance Legal and Total Rewards to balance workforce operational financial and cultural objectives. The successful candidate brings a proactive business-minded approach to labor relationsusing data relationships and influence to build an engaged workforce strengthen leadership capability support organizational transformation and create a positive employee experience across both union and non-union environments. Travel may be up to 60%.

Responsibilities

Strategic Labor & Workforce Leadership

• Develop and execute an enterprise labor relations strategy that aligns workforce practices with manufacturing operational and financial objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leaders on labor workforce organizational and employee relations matters.
• Anticipate labor and workforce trends emerging risks and external market dynamics developing proactive strategies that strengthen organizational effectiveness and workforce stability.
• Leverage workforce operational and financial data to identify opportunities assess risk and influence business decisions.

Labor Negotiations & Contract Administration

• Lead collective bargaining strategies and serve as chief spokesperson during labor negotiations.
• Direct negotiation preparation costing bargaining priorities and implementation planning to achieve sustainable business outcomes.
• Provide oversight and strategic guidance on contract administration grievance management arbitration and dispute resolution.
• Partner with site leadership teams to ensure consistent application and interpretation of labor agreements.

Employee Relations & Culture

• Drive strategies that strengthen employee engagement trust inclusion and workforce retention across manufacturing sites.
• Build collaborative relationships with union representatives plant leadership and employees to promote constructive labor-management partnerships.
• Partner with Human Resources Business Partners and Operations leaders to address complex employee relations issues and foster a respectful high-performing workplace culture.
• Lead initiatives that support positive employee relations and help maintain union-free environments where applicable through strong leadership practices employee engagement and workforce communication.

Leadership & Capability Development

• Enhance labor relations capability across Human Resources and Operations by developing leaders skills in employee relations conflict management contract interpretation and labor strategy.
• Coach and influence senior leaders through complex organizational workforce and labor challenges.
• Foster a culture of accountability collaboration and continuous improvement across manufacturing locations.

Business Partnership & Organizational Transformation

• Collaborate with Human Resources Centers of Excellence Finance Total Rewards Legal and Operations leaders to develop integrated workforce solutions.
• Support strategic business initiatives including organizational redesign workforce planning acquisitions divestitures facility changes automation and operational transformation.
• Ensure compliance with all labor employment and regulatory requirements while balancing employee and business needs.

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Human Resources Labor Relations Business Administration or a related field required.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive Human Resources experience including significant labor relations leadership within a manufacturing industrial or unionized environment.
• Demonstrated success leading complex labor negotiations and developing labor relations strategies that support business performance.
• Experience partnering with executive leaders to drive organizational and workforce outcomes.
• Deep knowledge of labor and employment laws including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) FMLA WARN Department of Labor regulations and applicable state and local laws.
• Extensive experience in collective bargaining contract administration grievance procedures arbitration workforce planning and employee relations.
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated ability to evaluate labor costs productivity measures workforce analytics and business performance data.

Leadership Competencies

• Exceptional communication influencing negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to establish credibility and trust with labor representatives employees plant leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Proven success navigating ambiguity change and complex organizational challenges.
• Strong strategic thinking problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to drive outcomes through collaboration influence and partnership rather than authority alone.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an engaging inclusive and high-performance culture.

Compensation

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employees actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location relevant experience/level and skillset while balancing internal Conagra employees Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following subject to your location and role:

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans wellness incentive program mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement

• Wealth: Great pay bonus incentive opportunity matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan

• Growth: Career development opportunities employee resource groups on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement

• Balance: Paid-time off parental leave flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18000 person team across 40 locations you are empowered to reach your potential make an impact and own your career. Were in the business of building champions within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye Slim Jim and Reddi-Wip.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex race color religion ethnic or national origin gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression age pregnancy leave status disability veteran status genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national federal state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.