Senior Human Resources Business Partner, People Operations Jobs - Wauconda, Illinois (IL)

Senior Human Resources Business Partner, People Operations - Job Description

Senior Human Resources Business Partner, People Operations

Progressive Components | Wauconda, IL | Exempt Work Arrangement: Hybrid; onsite Tuesdays and as business needs require. Please note that the work arrangement described is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final.

About the Role

Progressive Components is an employee-owned company with a strong culture, practical values, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We are seeking a forward-thinking Senior Human Resources Business Partner, People Operations, to provide practical HR leadership and operational support across the organization.

This role is ideal for an experienced HR professional who enjoys partnering with managers and employees while owning key HR functions, including employee relations, benefits and leave administration, payroll, employee engagement, HR operations, reporting, and employee lifecycle processes.

The successful candidate will bring strong HR judgment, credibility, and a continuous improvement mindset. They will be comfortable leveraging HR technology, reporting tools, and AI-enabled resources to improve efficiency, strengthen self-service, and enhance the employee experience. This is a hands-on HRBP role where culture, trust, confidentiality, accountability, and follow-through are highly valued.

What You'll Do

Partner with Managers and Employees

• Serve as a trusted HR advisor to managers and employees.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, corrective action, investigations, workplace concerns, and separations.
• Coach leaders on communication, accountability, leadership effectiveness, and consistent application of HR practices.
• Support employee engagement, address concerns proactively, and reinforce Progressive Components' culture and values.

Lead People Operations and Employee Lifecycle Processes

• Manage and continuously improve employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, offboarding, leaves, employee records, and HR documentation.
• Ensure HR processes are accurate, compliant, and consistently executed.
• Utilize HR systems, reporting tools, and workflow resources to improve efficiency, communication, and employee support.
• Track key HR metrics and identify opportunities for process improvement.

Manage Payroll Administration

• Own payroll processing and administration in coordination with Finance and external vendors.
• Review payroll data, employee changes, benefits, deductions, PTO, and related transactions to ensure accuracy.
• Maintain payroll documentation, controls, and audit processes to support compliance and continuity.

Support Benefits, Leaves, and Compliance

• Coordinate benefits administration, open enrollment, employee life events, leaves of absence, accommodations, workers' compensation, and related communications.
• Partner with brokers, carriers, TPAs, legal counsel, and other advisors as needed.
• Ensure employee inquiries are resolved appropriately and compliance-sensitive matters are properly documented and escalated.

Strengthen HR Systems, Data, and Reporting

• Maintain HRIS data, reporting, dashboards, and workforce-related records.
• Monitor data integrity, identify reporting needs, and provide insights that support business and HR decision-making.
• Leverage technology and reporting tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.

Support Culture, Engagement, and Organizational Effectiveness

• Support initiatives related to employee engagement, culture, change management, employee-owner education, workforce planning, and leadership communication.
• Translate HR and organizational initiatives into practical guidance for managers and employees.
• Foster employee trust, engagement, retention, and a positive employee-owner experience.

Technology and Continuous Improvement

• Leverage HR technology, reporting tools, and AI-enabled productivity resources to improve workflows, reporting, and employee self-service.
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes, reduce manual work, and enhance operational effectiveness while maintaining confidentiality and sound judgment.

What We're Looking For

• Minimum 7 years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably in a small to mid-size business environment where the role required both hands-on execution and manager-facing HR support.
• Demonstrated experience in employee relations, benefits administration, leave/accommodation support, payroll processing and administration, HRIS coordination, compliance support, employee lifecycle processes, and HR operations.
• Prior experience as an HR Business Partner, Senior HR Generalist, HR Operations Lead, or similar role strongly preferred.
• Hands-on payroll processing experience required; ADP Workforce Now experience preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. employment practices and HR compliance, including the ability to recognize when to escalate to legal counsel, broker, TPA, Finance, or other external advisors.
• Experience coordinating open enrollment, employee life events, vendor follow-up, and benefits communications.
• Experience building sustainable HR processes, checklists, workflows, trackers, and documentation.
• Comfort using HR technology, reporting tools, spreadsheets, document platforms, workflow resources, and AI-enabled tools to improve HR service delivery.
• Experience supporting multiple employee populations or locations preferred.
• Exposure to international HR coordination for Europe, Singapore, or other non-U.S. employee groups preferred.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or related field preferred; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent certification preferred.
• GPHR or demonstrated international HR coordination experience strongly preferred, but not required.

Why Join Progressive Components?

Progressive Components is an employee-owned company with a strong culture, practical values, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As a Senior Human Resources Business Partner, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the employee experience while helping shape scalable HR practices that support the organization's future growth.

Our Total Rewards Package Includes:

Financial Security • Competitive compensation • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) participation - share in the company's long-term success as an employee-owner • Medical, dental, and vision coverage (PPO and HSA options) • Company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Employee referral bonus program • Professional development opportunities, training, and tuition reimbursement • Employee recognition and rewards program

Work-Life Flexibility • Generous paid time off • Hybrid and flexible work arrangements • Internet reimbursement • Casual dress environment • No Meeting Fridays

Health & Well-Being • Annual wellness reimbursement program • Company recharge days and wellness resources • Opportunities to support community initiatives through our STAR Foundation

Compensation: The anticipated base salary range for this position is $100,000–$140,000, depending on qualifications and experience. In addition to base pay, Progressive Components offers a comprehensive benefits package and participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), providing employees with the opportunity to share in the long-term success and growth of the company.