Manager, Human Resources

Managing an HR staff of 2. Must have prior people management.

Looking for someone mature and good at building relations.

Must have manufacturing. Food preferred.

Highly preferring someone local who knows the area/culture.

Continuous improvement mindset.

High priority is finding someone that understands what it means to be a true business partner

Large plant experience - 370 employees here.

The Senior Manager, Human Resources will serve as a strategic business partner to the manufacturing plant leadership team. This role provides leadership, guidance, and support in all aspects of HR. The Senior Manager is responsible for building a high-performance culture, driving employee engagement, and aligning human resources initiatives with operational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with site operations leaders to design and implement proactive employee relations programs that foster positive morale and engagement.
• Develop and execute innovative, cost-effective strategies to attract, hire, and retain top talent across all levels of the organization.
• Lead staffing and recruitment activities, including manpower planning, full-cycle recruiting for salaried staff, and direct hiring for production team members.
• Manage all aspects of onboarding, including background checks, drug screenings, offer letters, new hire paperwork, and orientation.
• Maintain HR systems and databases, ensuring accurate payroll and employee records.
• Oversee employee leaves of absence, unemployment claims, and policy compliance.
• Conduct investigations and provide guidance to management on issue resolution.
• Lead training and development initiatives, including performance reviews, succession planning, technical training for skilled roles, and leadership development in partnership with the Corporate L&OD team.
• Administer corrective action processes in a fair and consistent manner aligned with company values.
• Partner with Corporate HR on communications, compensation, benefits, and policy development to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Manage local compensation programs, including performance appraisals, wage rate administration, and annual increase recommendations.
• Support employee benefits administration, responding to inquiries and assisting staff and supervisors.
• Collaborate with corporate and cross-site HR teams on projects and initiatives as needed.
• Provide leadership to HR staff, including coaching, performance reviews, and career development.
• Organize and oversee employee engagement and recognition events.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, or a related field required.

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment required.
• Strong background in HRIS systems; Workday experience preferred.
• Demonstrated project management skills.

• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; computer literacy required.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish highly preferred but not mandatory.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and New Jersey state HR laws and regulations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
• Skilled at conflict resolution, coaching, and delivering difficult messages effectively.
• Strategic thinker with a passion for continuous improvement in HR processes and organizational development.
• Service-oriented with a collaborative mindset and a focus on building strong business partnerships.