Jobs › Land O'Lakes

Human Resources Specialist

Land O'Lakes · Kiel, WI · $61,360–$92,040 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 31, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you kept something confidential even when people pressed you for details.

What they are checking: Whether they can be trusted with sensitive employee information.

Tell me about a time you juggled many tasks with competing deadlines.

What they are checking: Whether they can stay organized across hiring, payroll and onboarding at the same time.

The role requires working at the Kiel plant daily with 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. core hours. Why does an on-site HR role appeal to you?

What they are checking: Whether they want to be present with plant employees rather than prefer remote office work.

How would you build relationships with supervisors on different shifts?

What they are checking: Whether they will make the effort to support leaders who work outside normal office hours.

What would you do

A plant manager needs five production operators by next month. Walk me through how you'd help fill those jobs.

What they are checking: Whether they can run a hiring process end to end with speed and organization.

How would you organize on-site interviews so candidates have a good experience, even in a busy cheese plant?

What they are checking: Whether they can coordinate logistics and protect the candidate experience in a manufacturing setting.

An employee comes to you upset that their paycheck is short. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they respond quickly and respectfully and know how to fix pay errors.

How would you handle a policy question where the labor agreement and a manager's request don't match?

What they are checking: Whether they understand compliance with labor agreements and can push back on managers when needed.

How would you make the first week better for new hires on the plant floor?

What they are checking: Whether they think about onboarding from the new hire's point of view to improve retention.

About the work

You'll initiate requisitions in Workday and manage applicant pipelines. What experience do you have with Workday or another HR system?

What they are checking: Whether they can work in the system the plant actually uses without long training.

What steps do you take to make sure payroll is accurate every pay period?

What they are checking: Whether they are careful with payroll, where small mistakes damage trust with hourly workers.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Land O'Lakes from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Land O'Lakes.

Human Resources Specialist The HR Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the site's human resources operations by delivering high-quality administrative and operational services. This position partners with leaders across the facility to enhance the employee experience, optimize workforce processes, and ensure compliance with company policies and labor agreements. With a focus on talent acquisition, onboarding, payroll , and workforce planning, the HR Specialist contributes to building a positive, high-performing workplace culture. Hours :   Core hours are 7AM – 4PM, with some flexibility based on plant needs. Must be willing to work out of our Kiel, Wisconsin facility daily. Key Responsibilities: Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning: • Partner with hiring managers to initiate job requisitions in Workday, ensuring alignment with workforce plans and business needs. • Facilitate the candidate selection process by managing applicant pipelines, coordinating communications, and supporting a positive candidate experience. • Organize on-site interviews, providing logistical guidance to both candidates and hiring teams to promote seamless interview execution. • Extend job offers to selected candidates and serve as a liaison with recruiters to ensure timely and effective onboarding. • Support employer branding initiatives by participating in career fairs and assisting with recruitment event planning. Onboarding & Employee Integration: • Oversee new hire onboarding processes by confirming start dates, developing first-week schedules, and ensuring readiness of orientation materials. • Facilitate new employee orientation sessions, delivering presentations and guiding employees through essential paperwork and company policies. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance onboarding experiences and foster early employee engagement. Internal Mobility & Workforce Optimization: • Administer internal job posting processes in alignment with the site's collective bargaining agreement, supporting equitable career advancement opportunities. • Maintain accurate workforce data through staffing trackers, providing visibility into hourly employee placement and movement. • Execute employee transfer processes, ensuring compliance with internal policies and seamless transitions. Employee Experience & Engagement: • Act as a trusted resource for employee inquiries, providing guidance on company policies and procedures. • Support probationary employees by tracking progress, providing resources, and partnering with supervisors to address developmental needs. • Collaborate with leadership to proactively surface and address employee concerns, contributing to a positive work environment. Time & Attendance Management: • Oversee hourly employee attendance tracking in Workday, partnering with supervisors to address attendance trends and ensure consistent policy application. • Audit timecards for accuracy, troubleshoot discrepancies, and apply appropriate pay codes to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing. • Lead bi-weekly payroll review and processing activities, serving as the site liaison with corporate payroll teams. • Manage sick time accrual balances and coordinate adjustments in Workday to maintain data integrity. Labor Scheduling & Workforce Planning: • Administer employee scheduling processes, including vacation planning and overtime reporting, to optimize labor coverage. • Maintain the site's vacation calendar and adjust schedules based on evolving business and employee needs. Program Administration & Compliance: • Serve as the site's Affirmative Action Planning Lead, supporting compliance with regulatory requirements and corporate initiatives. • Oversee service recognition programs, including retirement awards and employee milestone celebrations, to enhance employee experience and engagement. • Provide administrative support for site programs, contributing to overall operational efficiency and compliance. Qualifications: • Associate’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience). • 2-4 years of experience in human resources or administrative support preferred. • Proficiency in HRIS systems, preferably Workday. • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. • Knowledge of employee onboarding, payroll, and labor scheduling processes is a plus. Salary Range: $61,360 - $92,040 . In most cases, candidates offered employment can expect to be hired at a pay rate near the middle of our salary ranges. About Land O'Lakes, Inc. Join us and be part of a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative that is reimagining the business of food. We have been named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, and to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list. We provide a broad portfolio of benefits to keep you and your family at your best. Land O'Lakes is Where Your Future Takes Root. Land O’Lakes and our global entities support diversity in employment practices. Neither Land O’Lakes, nor its affiliates or search firms, will ever contact you and ask for confidential information over the phone or in email. If you receive a call or email like this, please do not provide the information being requested. If you need to submit a reasonable accommodation request to complete the employment application process, please call the HR Solution Center at 844-LOL-HR4U (844-565-4748) M-F 8:00am-4:30pm CT.

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