Regional HR Manager

• Work Style: Hybrid (Home / On-site visits)

• Primary Locations: Northlake, IL | St. Charles, IL | Kankakee, IL

The Regional HR Manager provides HR leadership for multiple manufacturing facilities in Illinois and supports the U.S. Engineering team and NAPG Quality organization. This role supports approximately 300 exempt and hourly employees across union and non-union facilities.

The position partners closely with the North America HR Director, Regional Operations Director, Plant Managers, Quality Managers, Engineering leaders, and front-line supervisors. The Regional HR Manager serves as the primary contact for day-to-day HR, employee relations, and union relations matters, and works directly with Talent Acquisition and Corporate Compensation and Benefits on recruitment and job offers. This role has one direct report.

Multi-site HR leadership experience is required, including union experience and hourly employee relations in a manufacturing environment. The role supports Kankakee, St. Charles, and Northlake, along with the packaging graphics quality team, labs, and remote employees. Supports the North America Engineering team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Partners with Operations, Engineering, and Quality leadership teams to provide HR leadership in the areas of employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, and reporting.
• Evaluates and resolves complex, specialized, and sensitive employee relations matters, including employee documentation, discipline, reasonable accommodations, investigations, and terminations.
• Supports the talent acquisition process, including recruiting, interviewing, and hiring qualified candidates, and partners with managers to understand the skills and competencies required for open roles.
• Analyzes trends in compensation and benefits; researches and proposes competitive base and incentive pay programs to ensure the organization attracts and retains top talent. 
• Maintains compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommends best practices; reviews policies and practices to maintain compliance.
• Creates learning and development programs and initiatives that provide internal development opportunities for employees.
• Oversees employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.
• Manages day-to-day labor relations matters, including the grievance process and job bidding.
• Participates in contract negotiations, including preparation, drafting language and economic proposals, and reviewing and distributing collective bargaining agreements.
• Leads employee engagement and recognition initiatives.
• Promotes Sun Chemical in the community through active participation in the Chamber of Commerce, charitable organizations, and community events.
• Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.
• Leads and develops an HR Generalist

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• SAP SuccessFactors experience is preferred; WorkForce Software experience is also preferred, though experience with any automated time and absence platform is ideal.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive human resource management experience.
• At least two years of HR experience working with unions and strong knowledge of labor relations.
• Experience with HRIS platforms such as SuccessFactors, Workday, Oracle, or iCIMS.
• Experience providing HR leadership to salaried employees.
• Experience providing HR leadership to hourly employees in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with problem-solving and continuous improvement.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced HR certification or a master’s degree in Human Resources
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification is highly desired

BENEFITS: 

We offer a range of market-competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k)+match and life insurance. Eligibility of benefit timing may vary.