People Operations Business Partner

Position Summary

The People Operations Business Partner (POBP) at Foster serves as a strategic and operational partner to warehouse and transportation leadership, driving execution of People strategies in a fast-paced produce distribution environment. This role ensures workforce stability, productivity, and compliance by translating data insights into actionable plans that support frontline operations.

As the key link between the Director of People Operations and frontline teams, the POBP plays a critical role in strengthening retention, reinforcing performance expectations, and enabling leaders to effectively manage a high-volume, hourly workforce.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Partnership with Operations

Act as the primary People Operations partner for assigned warehouse and transportation functions or shifts

Collaborate with Operations Managers and Supervisors to align workforce strategies with business objectives

Provide guidance on workforce planning, staffing stability, and performance management

2. Workforce Operations & Floor Presence

Maintain a consistent and visible presence on the warehouse floor

Ensure execution of core People processes, including:

Continuous recruiting based on staffing needs

Onboarding and new hire ramp-up

Attendance tracking and accountability

Employee lifecycle actions (transfers, promotions, corrective actions)

Support supervisors in addressing day-to-day workforce challenges

3. Attendance, Retention & Workforce Stability

Monitor attendance trends and enforce accountability standards

Identify turnover drivers and implement targeted retention strategies

Support staffing stability in critical roles (e.g., order selectors and drivers)

Partner with leadership to proactively address workforce gaps

4. Performance & Productivity Alignment

Reinforce performance expectations tied to operational metrics, including:

Picking rates

Throughput and productivity standards

Driver efficiency and safety scores

Support recognition programs that enforce high performance

Partner with operations to address productivity gaps through coaching and accountability

5. Data-Driven Execution

Partner with the People Operations Analyst to review and interpret:

Turnover data

Attendance patterns

Productivity metrics

Translate insights into clear, actionable plans for supervisors and managers

Track and evaluate the effectiveness of workforce initiatives

6. Employee Relations & Leadership Coaching

Serve as a trusted advisor to supervisors on employee relations matters

Conduct investigations and ensure fair, consistent resolution of issues

Coach leaders on:

Performance management

Effective communication

Conflict resolution

Build leadership capability across frontline teams

7. Compliance & Policy Enforcement

Ensure compliance with:

Labor laws and wage/hour regulations

OSHA and workplace safety standards

Food safety requirements

Drive consistent application of policies across shifts and departments

Support audits and maintain accurate documentation

8. Program Ownership & Continuous Improvement

Lead execution of key People programs, including:

Attendance management frameworks

Performance improvement processes

Engagement and retention initiatives

Employee relations programs

Identify opportunities to improve processes for efficiency and scalability

Ensure programs are practical and effective in a warehouse environment

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)

3+ years of HR/People Operations experience

Strong preference for experience in:

Distribution, warehouse, or logistics environments

High-volume hourly workforce settings

Skills & Competencies

Strong business partnership mindset with company leaders

Deep understanding of warehouse and transportation workforce dynamics and shift-based environments

Ability to translate data into actionable workforce strategies

Experience managing attendance, turnover, and productivity challenges

Strong influencing and coaching skills

Knowledge of employment laws and compliance requirements

Highly visible, responsive, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment

Proficient in processing payroll in ADP

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Hourly employee turnover rate

Attendance and absenteeism trends

Retention of high-performing employees

Time-to-productivity for new hires

Reduction in performance-related corrective actions

Compliance and audit outcomes

Work Environment

Warehouse/distribution center setting

Frequent interaction with hourly employees and frontline leadership

Requires flexibility to support multiple shifts as needed

Hands-on, high-visibility role with significant time spent on the floor and out in the yard

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Director of People Operations

Partners with: People Operations Analyst, Warehouse Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Associates

Position Impact

This role directly supports Foster’s operational success by ensuring a stable, engaged, and high-performing workforce. The People Operations Business Partner ensures that People strategies are not just designed—but effectively executed where they matter most: on the warehouse floor and on the road.