Human Resources Trainee – Plant Operations – Corp Office Gainesville, GA

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Position Summary

The Human Resources Trainee – Plant Operations is an entry-level development role designed to prepare a new HR professional to support day-to-day human resources operations in a Gold Creek Foods manufacturing facility. The trainee learns and performs HR work across recruiting and staffing, onboarding and records, timekeeping and attendance, employee relations, safety and workers’ compensation, training, benefits, HR reporting, and compliance. Work is performed under the direction of an assigned HR mentor, with increasing independence as proficiency is demonstrated.

The trainee builds working relationships with hourly employees, supervisors, plant leadership, Safety, Payroll, Training, and Corporate HR. The position requires sound judgment, strict confidentiality, and the ability to recognize sensitive or high-risk matters and escalate them appropriately.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Operations & HR Foundations

  • Learn Gold Creek Foods’ organizational structure, plant departments, shifts, schedules, pay practices, and major production roles in fresh and prepared foods operations.
  • Learn and apply the employee handbook, HR policies, work rules, GMPs, PPE requirements, and plant security procedures.
  • Spend time on the production floor across departments and shifts to understand the work, the workforce, and working conditions.

Recruiting & Staffing

  • Review open positions and staffing targets; screen applications and conduct phone screens.
  • Schedule and participate in structured interviews and coordinate pre-employment requirements.
  • Support offers, internal transfers, promotions, new-hire scheduling, and staffing-agency coordination.

Onboarding, Orientation & Employee Records

  • Complete Form I-9 and E-Verify steps under supervision and verify onboarding documents for accuracy.
  • Enter and validate employee information in ADP Workforce Now; maintain and audit data.
  • Conduct new-hire check-ins and help track metrics related to the hourly labor force.

Timekeeping, Payroll, Attendance & Leave

  • Learn hourly, salaried, temporary, overtime, premium pay, and piece-rate practices.
  • Process routine leave requests in ADP and escalate potential FMLA, ADA, or workers’ compensation matters to the appropriate HR contact.

Employee Relations

  • Receive employee concerns and route them according to company procedures.
  • Observe and assist with counseling meetings, fact-finding interviews, and investigations under the direction of the HR mentor.
  • Draft corrective-action documentation and investigation summaries for HR review, separating facts from assumptions and conclusions.
  • Promptly escalate harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other sensitive matters to Plant HR leadership or Corporate HR.

Safety, Workers’ Compensation & Training

  • Support injury reporting, workers’ compensation coordination, and return-to-work communication.
  • Protect the confidentiality of employee medical information.
  • Assist with job-specific and annual required trainings.

Benefits & Employee Support

  • Answer routine questions about benefit eligibility, enrollment, qualifying life events, and ADP self-service, and refer plan-specific questions to the appropriate contact.
  • Support open enrollment sessions and employee communications.

HR Reporting & Compliance

  • Prepare weekly workforce reports, including headcount, hires, terminations, turnover, absenteeism, overtime, and vacancies.
  • Analyze trends by department and shift, verify data accuracy, and present findings and recommended actions to the HR mentor and plant leadership.
  • Assist with compliance audits, required postings, and file reviews; identify risks and bring them to the HR mentor.

Program Requirements

  • Complete rotations at more than one facility, on multiple shifts, and with Corporate HR, Safety, Risk Management, and Payroll/Benefits.
  • Provide routine plant HR coverage under HR Manager supervision during absences of the incumbent.

General

  • Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned to support HR and operational needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

  • None. This position has no direct reports.

Development Program & Career Path

This position is the entry point to Gold Creek Foods’ plant HR career path. Program completion is based on demonstrated proficiency — not time served alone. Progress is reviewed in the following areas:

  • Confidentiality and professional judgment
  • Employee service and communication
  • Documentation accuracy and organization
  • Policy knowledge and compliance awareness
  • Conflict management and investigation skills
  • ADP and HR-system proficiency
  • Relationship building with employees, supervisors, and plant leadership

Trainees who successfully complete the program will be considered for an HR Coordinator position at a Gold Creek Foods plant, based on business needs and position availability. Future growth may include HR Generalist and plant HR leadership roles. Completion of the program does not guarantee placement in, or promotion to, any specific position.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience will be considered.
  • 0–2 years of human resources, administrative, or related experience; internship experience in HR is a plus.
  • Experience in manufacturing, food production, or multi-shift environments preferred.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish required.
  • Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel between Gold Creek Foods facilities.

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong interest in a long-term HR career in a manufacturing environment.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee information appropriately.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable working with hourly employees, supervisors, and plant leaders.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; HRIS experience (ADP Workforce Now preferred) is a plus.
  • Ability to accept feedback, learn quickly, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Schedule & Travel

  • Ability to work varied schedules during the program, including early mornings, evenings, second or third shift, and occasional weekends, to gain exposure to all shifts.
  • Ability to travel to other Gold Creek Foods facilities and the Gainesville, GA Corporate Office during rotations.
  • Willingness to accept placement at an assigned Gold Creek Foods plant in Georgia upon program completion.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a combination of office and poultry processing environments. The employee splits time between a professional office setting and active production areas across multiple facilities and shifts. Work in production areas may include exposure to:

  • Cold, refrigerated environments (Fresh Processing)
  • Warm or hot areas near ovens, fryers, or cooking equipment (Further Processing/Ready-to-Eat)
  • Wet and humid conditions with floors that may be wet or slippery
  • Moderate to high noise levels requiring hearing protection
  • Moving machinery and equipment
  • Raw meat products and strong food-related odors
  • Common food allergens used in production, including but not limited to wheat, soy, milk, sesame, and egg

Physical Requirements

  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Prolonged standing and walking on the production floor.
  • Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds, with or without assistance.
  • Ability to wear required personal protective equipment in production areas.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, including speaking, hearing, and exchanging information in person and via email, phone, or video call.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Food Safety and Quality Expectations

Gold Creek Foods is committed to producing safe, legal, and high-quality food products. All employees are responsible for complying with all company food safety, quality, and sanitation programs, preventing contamination and protecting product integrity, immediately reporting food safety or quality concerns to leadership, and supporting audit readiness and continuous improvement initiatives.

General Safety Statement

All employees are expected to work safely at all times by following all company safety policies, procedures, and regulations. This includes complying with OSHA, USDA, and other applicable laws, as well as Gold Creek Foods’ internal safety standards. Each team member is responsible for maintaining a safe work environment — reporting hazards and near misses, using required personal protective equipment (PPE) when required, and participating in safety training and programs as directed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Gold Creek Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need assistance or an accommodation to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at 678-928-6970.

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