Employee Recognition Program Specialist

First Quality

Employee recognition specialist building appreciation programs, branded merchandise operations, and charitable giving initiatives at personal care products manufacturer First Quality. Managing vendors, data, campaigns, and cross-functional engagement.

Posted 8/4/2026full-timeRemote • Pennsylvania, South Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in rewards and recognition program management, vendor management, and employee engagement strategies. Proficient in data analysis and project management, with strong communication and collaboration skills to drive impactful recognition initiatives.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Rewards And Recognition Program ManagementVendor Management And Contract NegotiationData Analysis And ReportingProject ManagementEmployee Engagement Strategies

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Program DevelopmentData AnalysisMicrosoft Office SuiteExcelPowerPointBranded Merchandise ManagementRecognition PlatformsContract NegotiationBudget ManagementTrend Spotting

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationCollaborationAccountabilityInitiativeFlexibility

Industry Keywords

Employee EngagementRecognition ProgramsVendor RelationshipsCharitable Giving StrategyCross-Functional Collaboration

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design and implement a technology platform to streamline and automate recognition, milestone, anniversary, and recognition-history tracking
Partner with organizational leaders to build meaningful, inclusive recognition programs and events aligned with company culture
Collaborate with senior leadership, HR, and Communications on engagement messaging and facilitate cross-functional committees
Develop recognition program policies and procedures with HR
Own the full lifecycle of branded merchandise, including vendor selection, inventory management, curation, pricing, and purchase orders
Build and negotiate vendor relationships and contracts to secure competitive pricing
Provide creative direction on merchandise design and trend-spotting
Lead Human Resources’ charitable giving strategy and coordinate large-scale donation requests and community partnerships
Coordinate cross-divisional product donations
Plan and execute employee fundraising campaigns, managing logistics, budgets, and vendor relationships
Analyze recognition, merchandise, and giving-program data to identify trends and opportunities
Develop reports and dashboards to track program impact
Conduct benchmarking to keep programs competitive, cost-efficient, and best in class

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent work experience
4+ years of experience in rewards and recognition program management, employee engagement, or a related HR/communications function
Demonstrated experience building or significantly contributing to recognition programs from the ground up
Proven vendor management experience, including contract negotiation, pricing discussions, and relationship building
Experience managing branded merchandise programs, including swag ordering processes and brand compliance
Familiarity with recognition platforms or digital tools used to manage and automate employee programs
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong Excel and PowerPoint skills
Ability to analyze data and translate insights into clear presentations
Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities independently
Excellent communication skills and ability to present program updates and insights to varied audiences
Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and business stakeholders
Ability to work with short deadlines and competing demands
Strong accountability and ability to complete tasks without close supervision
Entrepreneurial mindset, initiative, flexibility, and willingness to learn and grow

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
Paid time off (three-week minimum)
Medical, dental and vision starting day one
401(k) with employer match
Paid parental leave
Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $3750)
Bundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
Tuition assistance
Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
Continuous learning and professional development