Talent Strategy Leader

Whiting Door is seeking a Talent Strategy Leader that will develop and execute the people strategy required to fuel the organization's manufacturing growth. The immediate priority of this role is to recruit, hire, and onboard immediate staffing needs over the next several months while building the recruiting infrastructure, pipeline, and processes needed to support ongoing workforce demand. This is a senior-level role designed to grow in scope over time, as the HR function modernizes and expands.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Owns the production hiring plan, including weekly targets, pipeline metrics, time-to-fill performance, and accountability for the hiring goals.
• Develops and executes the organization's overall recruiting strategy, with particular emphasis on high-volume manufacturing and skilled trades hiring.
• Builds and maintains a sustainable workforce pipeline that anticipates seasonal demand, attrition, and growth.
• Standardizes the hiring process end-to-end — sourcing, screening, interviewing, offers, pre-employment requirements, and onboarding handoffs.
• Establishes recruiting dashboards and weekly reporting to give leadership visibility into pipeline health, conversion rates, and risks to the hiring plan.
• Manages staffing agency relationships, including performance, cost, and direct-conversion strategies.
• Leads recruitment marketing and employer branding efforts to position the organization as an employer of choice in local labor markets.
• Partners directly with plant leadership and front-line supervisors to align on hiring profiles, interview standards, and onboarding expectations.
• Identifies and resolves bottlenecks in the hiring workflow, including offer turnaround, background checks, drug screening, and orientation scheduling.
• Designs and supports performance management approaches that drive accountability, goal alignment, and a coaching culture.
• Develops supervisor and front-line leader capability in areas such as coaching, conflict management, performance conversations, and corrective action.
• Leads retention analysis, including turnover trend reporting, stay interviews, and exit interview synthesis, and translates findings into action.
• Designs and executes engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and employee communication strategies that reinforce a strong workplace culture.
• Identifies critical roles; supports career pathing, internal bench strength, and succession readiness.
• Supports organizational design, team effectiveness, and change management initiatives as the company evolves.
• Collaborates closely with the HR Coordinators to ensure a seamless employee experience from hire through ongoing service.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable executing hands-on recruiting work.
• Strong bias for action with a track record of owning aggressive hiring targets.
• Data-driven decision making — uses metrics to diagnose, prioritize, and communicate.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to earn credibility quickly with plant leadership and front-line supervisors.
• Demonstrated ability to build sourcing strategies for high-volume and skilled-trades roles.
• Proven ability to design and improve recruiting processes, dashboards, and reporting.
• Builder's mindset — sees gaps as opportunities and is energized by creating structure where none exists.
• Strong working knowledge of employment law, EEO, and standard hiring compliance.
• Proficient with applicant tracking systems, HRIS platforms, and HR reporting tools.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Organizational Development, or a related field, or equivalent work experience, required.
• At least 7 years of progressive HR experience, with a minimum of five years focused on talent acquisition leadership, highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading high-volume hiring in a manufacturing, distribution, warehouse, or similar operational environment, highly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Travel to Career Fairs, Trade Schools and other related events.
• Periodic time on the manufacturing floor.
• Occasional travel to California location.