HR Business Partner/Employee Relations Specialist

The role

This person will support business and R&D teams with employee relations, performance management, and investigations. They will work on-site in Manteno to provide coaching, documentation, and Spanish-language HR support.

What you will do

• Lead and support employee relations matters including complaints, misconduct, and disputes.
• Conduct workplace investigations and recommend next steps.
• Support the 90-day review process for new hires.
• Partner with managers on performance management and corrective actions.
• Maintain on-site visibility and build relationships with employees and managers.
• Provide Spanish-language HR support for communication and investigations.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies and disciplinary processes.
• Prepare and maintain HR documentation and case files.
• Coach managers on handling difficult employee conversations.
• Partner with HR leadership, legal, payroll, and operations on workforce management issues.

Required qualifications

• 5–10 years of HR experience.
• Strong hands-on experience in employee relations, performance management, corrective actions, workplace investigations, and manager coaching.
• Prior experience supporting business, technical, R&D, engineering, commercial, project, or cross-functional teams.
• Fluent or professional working proficiency in both English and Spanish.
• Strong understanding of employee relations documentation, investigation processes, corrective action, attendance management, and performance review processes.
• Ability to work fully on-site in Manteno, IL, Monday through Friday.
• Comfortable working directly with managers, employees, technical teams, and business leaders.
• Strong judgment, confidentiality, and documentation discipline.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication skills in both English and Spanish.

Nice to have

• Experience supporting 90-day reviews, probationary period evaluations, structured new-hire performance reviews, or manager-led performance calibration.
• Experience supporting R&D, engineering, product, commercial, sales, project management, or technical business teams.
• Experience in battery, EV, clean energy, automotive, technology, advanced manufacturing, or high-growth industrial environments.
• Knowledge of Illinois employment practices and general U.S. employment law principles.
• Experience with HRIS, case tracking, attendance systems, performance documentation systems, or employee relations case management tools.

About the company

Gotion Inc. innovates in next generation electric vehicle and energy storage technologies. The company is based in Silicon Valley, CA, and is building a manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL.