Human Resources Manager

Great Dane LLC • Kewanee, IL

43d • $73,783 - $150,209 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Human Resources Manager is responsible for managing all HR functions, including recruiting, training, payroll, safety, benefits, and worker’s compensation and administering the HR policies. This role requires creating a true business partnership with Plant Management and operational leadership, establishing and maintaining a strong presence on the plant floor to understand workforce dynamics and maintain awareness of organizational culture and employee concerns. The manager will actively participate in succession planning, talent development, and workforce planning initiatives, and support safety initiatives. They will lead recruitment, selection, and onboarding activities, oversee employee integration, and enforce company policies and laws. A key responsibility is creating and maintaining HR Governance reporting, analyzing employee metrics, and developing action plans. The role involves serving as an employee advocate, resolving employee relations concerns, and providing guidance to leadership on various HR matters. For unionized manufacturing operations, the manager will serve as the primary HR partner, interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements, and partnering with union representatives. They will also analyze training needs, administer workers’ compensation processes, and practice organizational agility by building strong partnerships across departments. Planning and organizing employee engagement and recognition activities are also part of the role, along with other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive Human Resources Generalist experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership or managerial experience.
• Experience supporting Human Resources within a unionized manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreement administration, labor relations practices, grievance management, investigations, and conflict resolution.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state employment laws and regulations related to recruitment, compensation, benefits, employee relations, labor relations, safety, and environmental compliance.
• Thorough understanding of labor law and experience partnering with operational leadership in a manufacturing setting.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred.
• Continued professional development and ongoing HR education encouraged.
• Must possess knowledge of workplace safety regulations and support plant safety initiatives in partnership with Environmental, Health & Safety leadership.
• Understanding of environmental compliance requirements issued by federal and state agencies and ability to support interactions with regulatory agencies as needed.
• Demonstrated commitment to high standards related to safety, environmental compliance, employee relations, and organizational culture.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive employee matters professionally and effectively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with HRIS systems preferred.
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Demonstrated willingness to embrace continuous personal and professional development.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience supporting Human Resources within a unionized manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification strongly preferred.
• Experience with HRIS systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create a true business partnership with Plant Management and operational leadership.
• Establish and maintain a strong presence on the plant floor to understand workforce dynamics and maintain awareness of organizational culture and employee concerns.
• Actively participate in succession planning, talent development, and workforce planning initiatives.
• Support safety initiatives and partner with leadership to improve overall safety performance and compliance at the facility.
• Understand, follow, and enforce all established Company policies, procedures, and recognized practices.
• Lead recruitment, selection, and onboarding activities for plant employees in partnership with corporate recruiting, supervisors, and department leaders.
• Oversee onboarding and employee integration processes to effectively prepare employees for the work environment and foster engagement with organizational objectives.
• Enforce and administer company policies, benefits, programs, procedures, and applicable employment and labor laws.
• Create and maintain HR Governance reporting, including analysis of employee-related metrics such as hiring, retention, turnover, absenteeism, engagement, and workforce trends, while developing action plans to address identified gaps.
• Serve as an employee advocate and resolve employee relations concerns in a fair, consistent, and business-minded manner.
• Provide guidance and coaching to plant leadership related to employee concerns, performance management, investigations, corrective action, and policy administration.
• Lead or support employee investigations, hearings, grievance resolution, and conflict management activities.
• Serve as the primary Human Resources partner for unionized manufacturing operations, including interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements (CBA), where applicable.
• Partner with union representatives and operational leadership to address labor relations matters, grievances, disciplinary actions, and contract interpretation concerns in a collaborative and compliant manner.
• Support labor negotiation preparation, bargaining activities, and implementation of negotiated agreement changes, where applicable.
• Analyze training and development needs and coordinate employee training initiatives, including leadership and safety-related programs.
• Administer workers’ compensation processes, reporting, recordkeeping, and related documentation.
• Practice organizational agility by building strong partnerships across departments and supporting broader business initiatives as needed.
• Plan and organize employee engagement and recognition activities, including company events and plant initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The expected salary range for this role is $73,783 to $150,209 per year.

What This Job Offers

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