Senior Manager, HR Business Partner

Overview

Topco Associates has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Manager/HR Business Partner to join our team in Itasca, IL. This hybrid position is based in our Itasca office three-four days per week, with the flexibility to work remotely one-two days per week.

This role is a key strategic partner to all managers, driving HR strategy, talent management, and performance programs. This role enables leaders to achieve their business objectives, serving as a trusted advisor and employee advocate for assigned client teams. This is a high-scope, strategic role: the Senior Manager leads and develops one HR Analyst while serving as the dedicated HR partner to all Managers across the company — Associate Manager, Manager, and Senior Manager level, across all disciplines — and owns enterprise-wide programs including the Talent Review and the Performance Management cycle.

ABOUT TOPCO

At Topco, we believe in the power of people, partnership, and purpose. Topco's mission is to deliver sourcing, procurement, and business solutions that help our member-owners achieve a competitive advantage. We partner with regional retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice organizations across the country to provide programs and services that create long-term value.

But what makes Topco special is not just what we do—it’s how we do it. We are a collaborative organization where our associates are encouraged to bring ideas forward, take ownership, and work across teams to solve problems and deliver results. We value integrity, adaptability, accountability, and a willingness to take initiative and turn ideas into action.

We are committed to building high-performing, collaborative teams where employees can grow professionally while making a meaningful impact for our members. As One Topco, we work together with purpose, delivering for our members, supporting one another and creating opportunities for our associates to grow, contribute, and succeed.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop an HR Analyst, setting clear goals and an individualized development plan
• Serve as a strategic, consultative HR Business Partner to assigned client group leadership, providing expertise across all areas of HR
• Ensure HR policy and advice to client groups aligns with employment law, strategy, and best practice
• Advise, support, and coach managers on addressing and resolving employee relations issues using a structured approach
• Advise clients on organizational structure and lead effective organizational and cultural change
• Partner with clients to build and sustain high-performing teams and manage workforce strategy
• Own and lead the annual Talent Review process, including the communications plan, manager enablement, and results reporting to leadership
• Own and lead the Performance Management cycle, including goal setting, calibration, comp-linked actions, and manager enablement
• Build and facilitate manager-facing training (e.g., goal setting, performance management)
• Own the Performance Improvement documented process for underperforming associates and prepare managers for critical/difficult conversations
• Conduct and/or oversee exit interviews; synthesize employee relations and exit trends into actionable insights and recommendations for HR leadership
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to shape the selection and hiring strategy for assigned client group openings
• Support implementation of reward policy (e.g., TopNotch, compensation), including pay review, benchmarking, and performance-related pay
• Develop, recommend, and implement personnel policies and procedures; conduct annual re-evaluation of policies
• Evaluate department initiatives against established goals; recommend new approaches to drive continual improvement in HR service delivery
• All other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education:

• BA/BS degree from an accredited university or college is required.
• Preferred degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Organizational Effectiveness or related field.

Previous Experience:

• 10-15 years of progressive HR generalist/business partner experience, including deploying HR policies, programs, and practices (performance management, talent review, succession planning, employee development, workforce planning).
• 2+ years of experience leading or directly supervising others, with a track record of coaching and developing team members.
• Prior experience implementing successful organizational change initiatives.
• Innovative thinker with sound judgment and strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and consultative skills, with a strong ability to influence and partner with senior leaders.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in HR analytics – analyzing data and translating it into actionable recommendations.
• PHR, SPHR, or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
• Experience with Workday is a plus.

Salary Range

Benefits

• Medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO and HDHP offered)
• Health Savings Account
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Annual flexible spending accounts
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Competitive 401(k) match
• Generous PTO offered