Human Resources Manager

Position Overview

I am currently partnering with a client to identify an experienced HR Manager who will play both a strategic and operational leadership role supporting the full employee lifecycle across one or more operational locations.

This position will serve as a key partner to business leadership, helping align people strategies with operational goals while ensuring compliance with employment regulations and labor agreements.

The HR Manager will also lead HR team members and support initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, workplace culture, performance management, and compliance.

The ideal candidate brings experience supporting unionized workforces and operating in fast-paced environments such as food service, manufacturing, logistics, aviation, or other operational industries.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnership

• Partner with operational leadership to align HR strategies with business objectives.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
• Contribute to HR strategy, employee retention efforts, and labor cost management.
• Provide guidance on organizational structure, workforce planning, and change management.

Employee & Labor Relations

• Manage complex employee relations matters including investigations, disciplinary actions, grievances, and conflict resolution.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws including wage and hour, EEO, ADA, and FMLA.
• Support labor relations efforts and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Serve as an escalation point for sensitive workplace matters.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies and corrective action processes.
• Oversee incident reporting and support workers’ compensation and related claims processes.

HR Team Leadership

• Lead and develop HR Generalists and HR Coordinators across assigned locations.
• Ensure team members are meeting performance expectations, training requirements, and compliance standards.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing HR team environment.

Culture, Engagement & Performance

• Support initiatives that promote employee engagement, inclusion, recognition, and overall workplace culture.
• Lead employee engagement survey efforts and partner with leadership to develop action plans.
• Coach managers on performance management, employee development, and feedback practices.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Partner with talent acquisition teams to support hiring needs and workforce planning.
• Oversee onboarding processes and early employee engagement initiatives to improve retention.
• Support recruitment pipeline initiatives for key operational roles.

HR Operations

• Ensure HR systems and employee data are maintained accurately.
• Oversee timekeeping reviews, leave management, and HR compliance processes.
• Partner with payroll and benefits teams to address employee inquiries and maintain system compliance.
• Track key HR metrics such as turnover, absenteeism, disciplinary actions, and training completion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 6 years of progressive HR experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Experience supporting union environments and collective bargaining agreements strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment laws and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting operational environments such as food service, manufacturing, aviation, or logistics is highly valued.
• Proven experience leading HR teams and supporting multiple operational locations.
• HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP preferred.
• Bilingual language skills are a plus.