Director, Positive Employee Engagement and Labor Relations
Astec
ASTEC provides equipment and solutions for infrastructure, construction, and energy industries.
Leads employee & labor relations, engagement, compliance, and retention strategies.
8 days ago ago
Expert & Leadership (13+ years)
Full Time
Chattanooga, TN
Onsite
Company Size
3,700 Employees
Service Specialisms
Equipment Manufacturing
Aftermarket Parts and Service
Asphalt Plant Supply
Asphalt Paving Equipment
Aggregate Processing Equipment
Recycling Equipment
Material Handling
Concrete Production Equipment
Sector Specialisms
Infrastructure
Aggregates
Mining
Road Building
Concrete Production
Industrial Automation
Asphalt Plant Control Systems
Aggregate Processing
Role
Description
engagement strategy
compliance audits
labor negotiations
retention programs
survey analysis
employee relations
Design and execute engagement strategies to improve employee morale, retention, and overall satisfaction.
Develop and administer workplace compliance strategy, including policies, audits, and training programs to ensure organizational adherence to legal and ethical standards.
Develop communication strategies that keep employees informed and engaged.
100% completion of compliance audits on schedule
Serve as liaison between the organization and collective bargaining units, ensuring effective communication and collaboration on labor-related matters.
Implementation of retention initiatives
Develop and implement proactive employee relations programs to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
Serve as a trusted resource for employees and managers in resolving workplace concerns fairly and consistently.
Facilitate regular listening sessions across departments to gather employee input, identify concerns, and foster open communication.
Manage employee relations budget initiatives such as engagement surveys, manager trainings, engagement activities.
Partner with HR Business Partners (HRBPs) to develop and execute retention strategies that address turnover trends and enhance employee experience.
Partner with Legal and HR teams to mitigate risks and manage investigations when necessary.
Promote leadership behaviors that reinforce a positive and inclusive culture.
Lead employee surveys, analyze results, and create action plans to address feedback.
Provide guidance and training to managers on effective employee and labor relations practices.
Monitor and interpret labor laws, regulations, and union agreements to ensure compliance.
Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
Serve as the primary liaison between the organization and labor unions.
Define a communications plan with HRBPs and Communications Team that regularly promotes company benefits and our value proposition. In particular communications to the shop floor.
Listening sessions conducted
Completion of action plans post-survey
Lead negotiations for collective bargaining agreements and labor contracts.
Requirements
8+ years
bachelor's
employment law
collective bargaining
strategic thinking
emotional intelligence
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
Strategic Thinking
Positive feedback score from employee representatives
Emotional Intelligence
Proven ability to influence and build relationships across all levels of the organization.
Honesty and integrity in all aspects of business
Improvement in leadership effectiveness scores
Manager training completion rate
Compliance training completion rate
Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations and experience with collective bargaining agreements.
Average resolution time for employee issues
8+ years of progressive HR experience with a focus on employee relations and engagement.
Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s preferred).
Founded with a vision to provide innovative equipment solutions to the construction industry.
A leader in the design and manufacturing of equipment for road building, aggregate processing, and energy sectors.
Delivers reliable, durable machinery that helps build infrastructure and energy projects around the world.
Known for pioneering technologies in asphalt mixing, crushing, screening, and environmental solutions.
Astec's commitment to product innovation has shaped major projects globally, from highways to power plants.
Throughout its history, Astec has led with a forward-thinking approach to sustainability in construction.
The company’s diverse portfolio spans across infrastructure development, industrial energy solutions, and more.
Astec’s impact can be seen in projects that range from municipal infrastructure to global energy plants.
Culture + Values
Safety
Devotion
Integrity
Respect
Innovation
Environment + Sustainability
Net-zero by 2050
Carbon Emission目标
Committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in asphalt production and construction by 2050.
2050 Net-zero Goal
Industry-wide目标
Joined NAPA’s 'The Road Forward' initiative to support industry-wide net-zero by 2050.
2023 Solar Install
Solar PanelsInstalled
Installed solar panels at the Johannesburg, South Africa manufacturing site in 2023 to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Aims to decrease carbon footprint of global manufacturing operations and processes
Joined DOE Better Plants program to set and meet voluntary energy performance goals
Upgraded LED lighting at 12 manufacturing sites
Tracking and reducing electricity, water, natural gas consumption, waste streams and water usage
Designing products (e.g. Cold Planers, Double Barrel mixers, Concrete plants) to support high recycled asphalt or low-carbon concrete with partners like CarbonCure
Partnering with CarbonCure to reduce embodied CO₂ in concrete batching
Internal baselines established for GHG emissions and utility usage to guide reduction efforts
Inclusion & Diversity
Launched a Women in Leadership group to support career development for women (2021–2022 reporting period)
Corporate Sustainability Report (2021–2022) highlights investment in employee well-being, ethical operations and workplace safety
No publicly disclosed gender parity goals or workforce gender distribution percentages