HR Director

Rocket EMS • San Jose, CA

5d • $165,000 - $230,000

About The Position

Rocket is seeking an experienced, hands-on Director of Human Resources to lead and modernize the HR function across its growing organization. The role will assess the current organization, establish clear ownership and accountability, strengthen processes and controls, and develop an HR function that can support a fast-paced, rapidly growing manufacturing business. The successful candidate will combine HR strategy with hands-on execution, exercise sound judgment, challenge existing practices, address organizational inefficiencies, and drive meaningful change while building strong relationships with executives, managers, and employees. Manufacturing experience and success leading HR transformation or organizational change are strongly preferred.

The Director provides strategic direction for HR across multiple locations and oversees HR programs such as onboarding, benefits, employee relations, performance management, training and development, compensation, and HRIS administration. The role partners with executive, talent acquisition, and operational leaders on workforce and talent strategy, organizational design, compensation, and strategic initiatives. It also leads the HR team, supports organizational change and facility expansions, ensures employment-law compliance, and uses HR metrics and technology improvements to support business decisions and continued growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• 10 or more years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant HR leadership responsibility.
• 5 or more years of experience leading HR teams and/or a substantial HR function.
• Demonstrated experience improving, restructuring, or modernizing an HR organization or function.
• Experience supporting both hourly manufacturing populations and professional or executive employees.
• Strong knowledge of compensation, organizational design, performance management, employee relations, and employment compliance.
• Experience developing job architecture, compensation structures, policies, procedures, and HR controls.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to use HR data and metrics to drive decisions.
• Confident, pragmatic leadership and business judgment, with the ability to execute and drive implementation.
• Ability to challenge existing practices, establish accountability, and operate effectively in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment.
• Ability to understand manufacturing operations and support business needs while building credibility with senior leadership and remaining accessible to employees.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to communicate directly and effectively at all organizational levels.
• Must be eligible to access export-controlled technical data or technology under applicable U.S. export-control laws, or be eligible for any required government authorization.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, electronics, semiconductor, aerospace, medical device, automotive, or another complex operational environment strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting multiple locations and rapidly growing organizations preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of California employment law strongly preferred.
• Experience with Nevada employment practices is a plus.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or comparable professional certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Human Resources function across multiple locations.
• Assess the existing HR organization, processes, and responsibilities; implement improvements to effectiveness, accountability, and service to the business.
• Establish clear HR roles and responsibilities and eliminate unnecessary duplication or inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement scalable HR policies, procedures, systems, and controls to support company growth.
• Partner with executive leadership on organizational structure, workforce planning, succession planning, talent strategy, and other people-related initiatives.
• Establish consistent job architecture, job descriptions, leveling, compensation ranges, promotion practices, and compensation controls.
• Ensure compensation decisions are competitive, internally equitable, and aligned with business needs.
• Strengthen performance management and establish clear expectations and accountability for managers and employees.
• Coach leaders and managers on employee relations, performance issues, organizational effectiveness, and leadership practices.
• Provide oversight and guidance on complex employee relations matters, investigations, corrective actions, and terminations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, California, Nevada, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Oversee onboarding, benefits, employee relations, performance management, training and development, compensation, and HRIS administration.
• Develop HR metrics and reporting to identify trends, risks, and opportunities and support executive decision-making.
• Evaluate HR technology and processes and identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and improved data integrity.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing HR team to support a growing multi-site organization.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and operational leadership to anticipate workforce needs and ensure positions are appropriately structured, leveled, and compensated.
• Support organizational changes, facility expansions, integrations, restructuring, and other strategic initiatives as required.
• Foster a culture of accountability, consistency, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director