What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Workforce Development and Talent Acquisition Manager position at First Search Inc.?
Senior Workforce Development and Talent Acquisition Manager
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Department: Human Resources
Reports To: Head of Human Resources
Job Summary
The Senior Workforce Development and Talent Acquisition Manager strengthens the company’s ability to attract, develop, and retain skilled talent in a manufacturing environment. This role focuses heavily on hourly and skilled-trade recruiting, onboarding, retention, and building long-term workforce pipelines through school, community, and agency partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
· Recruitment & Staffing
· Manage full-cycle recruiting for production and maintenance roles.
· Develop sourcing strategies, job fairs, and referral programs.
· Track and report hiring metrics (time-to-fill, turnover, applicant flow).
· Onboarding & Retention
· Lead onboarding programs that improve engagement and reduce early turnover.
· Partner with supervisors to support new hires during their first 90 days.
· Conduct exit interviews and retention analyses.
· Workforce Planning & Development
· Forecast workforce needs and coordinate training for job readiness and advancement.
· Build partnerships with schools, apprenticeship programs, and workforce agencies.
· Identify skill gaps and implement targeted training solutions.
· Community & Employer Branding
· Represent the company at recruiting events and workforce development meetings.
· Promote company culture and career growth opportunities.
· Data & Metrics
· Maintain dashboards tracking recruiting and retention effectiveness.
· Present workforce insights and recommendations to leadership.
Success Indicators
· Staffing levels meet operational demand.
· Turnover within 90 days reduced.
· Active local workforce pipeline established.
· Onboarding supports long-term employee development.
· Employer brand recognized in community.
Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred).
· 10 years in HR, Talent Acquisition, or Workforce Development within manufacturing.
· Proven success in hourly/skilled-trade recruiting and retention programs.
· Experience with workforce planning, data analysis, and HR systems (ATS, HRIS, LMS).
· Preferred Certifications: SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR.
Core Competencies
Recruiting Execution • Workforce Planning • Onboarding & Retention • Community Engagement • Data-Driven Decision-Making • Communication • Adaptability • Integrity
Work Environment
· Split between office and manufacturing floor.
· Regular plant interaction; must follow all PPE and safety protocols.
· Occasional travel to recruiting and training events.