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HR Generalist

HR Generalist

Country:  United States
City:  Westbrook
State:  Maine
Location:  Mill Westbrook
Division:  Human Resources
Posting date:  Sep 30, 2026
Pay Range:  69,000 - 80,000

Sappi North America
Sappi Westbrook near Portland, Maine is where our history began in 1854 with the S. D. Warren Company. It is the site of the first coated papermaking facility in the US and the place where Sappi North America first developed its reputation for quality and innovation. The Westbrook Mill manufactures Casting and Release papers used in a myriad of diverse applications, including the fashion, automotive, aerospace and flooring industries. Our vegan-leather and natural textures can be seen in many products around the world ranging from shoes to handbags and car interiors to countertops.

Sappi North America
Sappi Westbrook near Portland, Maine is where our history began in 1854 with the S. D. Warren Company. It is the site of the first coated papermaking facility in the US and the place where Sappi North America first developed its reputation for quality and innovation. The Westbrook Mill manufactures Casting and Release papers used in a myriad of diverse applications, including the fashion, automotive, aerospace and flooring industries. Our vegan-leather and natural textures can be seen in many products around the world ranging from shoes to handbags and car interiors to countertops.

POSITION SUMMARY

The HR Generalist provides day-to-day human resources support across a broad range of HR functions in support of the HR Manager, including employee relations, recruitment and onboarding, benefits, leave administration, HR systems and records, policy administration, compliance, training, and employee engagement. This position works closely with employees and managers to provide responsive HR support and promote the consistent application of Company policies and practices.

The HR Generalist also maintains accurate employee records and tracking systems, including the administration and tracking of FMLA, Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), and other applicable leaves of absence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Serve as a day-to-day HR resource for employees, supervisors, and managers regarding policies, procedures, benefits, employment practices, and general HR questions.
  • Support the recruitment and selection process, including job postings, applicant screening, interview coordination, candidate communications, offers, and pre-employment requirements.
  • Coordinate new-hire onboarding and orientation, including required employment documentation, benefit information, policies, and other onboarding activities.
  • Process employee changes, including new hires, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, organizational changes, and terminations, ensuring accurate and timely updates to HR systems and records.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential personnel records and HR data in accordance with Company requirements and applicable record-retention requirements.
  • Provide benefits administration support, including employee enrollment, qualifying life events, benefit questions, and coordination with benefit providers and internal resources.
  • Administer and track production worker vacation scheduling and employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), and other applicable leave programs; maintain required documentation, monitor intermittent and continuous leave usage, and coordinate leave information with employees, supervisors, payroll, benefits, and other appropriate resources.
  • Maintains millwide absentee control program and related corrective actions.
  • Monitor employee attendance and absenteeism, maintain related records, and identify potential attendance issues for review by the HR Manager, including absences that may qualify for protected leave.
  • Support workers’ compensation administration, including claim documentation, employee communication, coordination with appropriate resources, and return-to-work activities.
  • Assist with employee requests for workplace accommodations and support the interactive process under the ADA and other applicable requirements.
  • Coordinate and track the performance review process to ensure reviews are completed timely and required performance-related documentation is appropriately maintained in employee records.
  • Provide administrative support for labor relations activities.
  • Coordinate and track employee training and development activities and maintain required training records.
  • Support employee engagement, recognition, communication, and retention initiatives.
  • Maintain HR tracking tools and prepare routine reports related to staffing, recruitment, attendance, leaves, training, and other HR activities as needed.
  • Assist with HR compliance activities, audits, regulatory reporting, policy updates, and implementation of changes resulting from federal and state employment requirements.
  • Participate in HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives to improve HR processes, systems, employee service, and organizational effectiveness.
  • Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive employee and Company information.
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; Associate’s degree in a related field, combined with relevant human resources experience exceeding the minimum experience requirement, may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.
  • Four to six years of progressively responsible human resources experience.
  • Generalist experience across multiple HR disciplines, including employee relations, recruitment, benefits, leave administration, and HR records.
  • Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and human resources practices.
  • Experience with FMLA and employee leave administration.
  • Experience working in a manufacturing and/or unionized environment.
  • Experience using HRIS, applicant tracking, payroll, timekeeping, or related HR systems.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate recordkeeping.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels of the organization.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle sensitive and confidential matters appropriately.
  • Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of the HR team.

Pay Range

$69,000 - $80,000

POSITION SUMMARY

The HR Generalist provides day-to-day human resources support across a broad range of HR functions in support of the HR Manager, including employee relations, recruitment and onboarding, benefits, leave administration, HR systems and records, policy administration, compliance, training, and employee engagement. This position works closely with employees and managers to provide responsive HR support and promote the consistent application of Company policies and practices.

The HR Generalist also maintains accurate employee records and tracking systems, including the administration and tracking of FMLA, Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), and other applicable leaves of absence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Serve as a day-to-day HR resource for employees, supervisors, and managers regarding policies, procedures, benefits, employment practices, and general HR questions.
  • Support the recruitment and selection process, including job postings, applicant screening, interview coordination, candidate communications, offers, and pre-employment requirements.
  • Coordinate new-hire onboarding and orientation, including required employment documentation, benefit information, policies, and other onboarding activities.
  • Process employee changes, including new hires, transfers, promotions, compensation changes, organizational changes, and terminations, ensuring accurate and timely updates to HR systems and records.
  • Maintain accurate and confidential personnel records and HR data in accordance with Company requirements and applicable record-retention requirements.
  • Provide benefits administration support, including employee enrollment, qualifying life events, benefit questions, and coordination with benefit providers and internal resources.
  • Administer and track production worker vacation scheduling and employee leaves of absence, including FMLA, Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML), and other applicable leave programs; maintain required documentation, monitor intermittent and continuous leave usage, and coordinate leave information with employees, supervisors, payroll, benefits, and other appropriate resources.
  • Maintains millwide absentee control program and related corrective actions.
  • Monitor employee attendance and absenteeism, maintain related records, and identify potential attendance issues for review by the HR Manager, including absences that may qualify for protected leave.
  • Support workers’ compensation administration, including claim documentation, employee communication, coordination with appropriate resources, and return-to-work activities.
  • Assist with employee requests for workplace accommodations and support the interactive process under the ADA and other applicable requirements.
  • Coordinate and track the performance review process to ensure reviews are completed timely and required performance-related documentation is appropriately maintained in employee records.
  • Provide administrative support for labor relations activities.
  • Coordinate and track employee training and development activities and maintain required training records.
  • Support employee engagement, recognition, communication, and retention initiatives.
  • Maintain HR tracking tools and prepare routine reports related to staffing, recruitment, attendance, leaves, training, and other HR activities as needed.
  • Assist with HR compliance activities, audits, regulatory reporting, policy updates, and implementation of changes resulting from federal and state employment requirements.
  • Participate in HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives to improve HR processes, systems, employee service, and organizational effectiveness.
  • Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive employee and Company information.
  • Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; Associate’s degree in a related field, combined with relevant human resources experience exceeding the minimum experience requirement, may be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.
  • Four to six years of progressively responsible human resources experience.
  • Generalist experience across multiple HR disciplines, including employee relations, recruitment, benefits, leave administration, and HR records.
  • Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and human resources practices.
  • Experience with FMLA and employee leave administration.
  • Experience working in a manufacturing and/or unionized environment.
  • Experience using HRIS, applicant tracking, payroll, timekeeping, or related HR systems.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate recordkeeping.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels of the organization.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and handle sensitive and confidential matters appropriately.
  • Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of the HR team.

Pay Range

$69,000 - $80,000

Salaried: salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.

Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Salary is determined by a number of factors including the value of the job to the organization, market forces, internal equity and skills brought to the job.

Sappi provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Sappi complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ABOUT SAPPI

Sappi is a leading global provider of everyday materials made from woodfibre-based renewable resources. As a diversified, innovative and trusted leader focused on sustainable processes and products, we are building a more circular economy by making what we should, not just what we can.

HR Contact for Questions:

Name:  Lauren Carrier
Email:  lauren.carrier@sappi.com
Telephone number:  2078564322

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