Manufacturing, HR Business Partner

Ford • Wayne, MI

2d • $86,600 - $144,900 • Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing HR Business Partner is a strategic partner and hands-on HR leader embedded in automotive manufacturing plants and parts depots. The role supports hourly and salaried employees and works closely with leadership to advance business objectives through HR initiatives. It manages the employee lifecycle, promotes a productive and inclusive workplace, ensures compliance, and supports talent development, engagement, and labor relations on the production floor.

The role advises plant leadership, develops talent and workforce strategies, uses HR analytics and workforce planning to guide decisions, and leads change initiatives. It builds employee engagement and community relationships while leading union and employee relations, collective bargaining, grievance resolution, investigations, and contractual compliance. It also oversees HR risk and compliance, payroll, attendance, vacation tracking, leaves of absence, and workplace wellness and safety initiatives.

The position requires onsite presence at a manufacturing plant. The listed schedule is Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (split shift).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, organizational development, or a related discipline, or commensurate work experience.
• 2–4 years of relevant HR and labor work experience with a bachelor’s degree.
• Onsite presence at the manufacturing plant.
• Ability to work the stated Monday–Friday split shift, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
• Occasional lifting of no more than 10 pounds; walking and standing on the manufacturing floor at least 20% of the time.
• Skills in strategic partnership, data storytelling, talent management, employee lifecycle expertise, business and operational acumen, positive employee and labor relations, risk management, change management, ethical practice, labor relations and negotiation, contractual compliance and interpretation, grievance management, and workforce planning.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a manufacturing setting.
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification.

Responsibilities

• Advise plant leadership and translate business strategy into HR initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness and employee experience.
• Engage with plant operations through Gemba walks and direct leadership interaction to identify workforce needs and deliver aligned HR solutions.
• Develop and execute talent strategies for performance, leadership development, succession planning, compensation, and talent acquisition.
• Analyze future workforce needs and implement hourly talent programs such as apprenticeships, reskilling, and strategic placements.
• Use HR analytics platforms, including Visier and Voice, to identify workforce trends and inform decisions; lead change management initiatives.
• Promote an inclusive, high-performance culture, employee recognition, DEI initiatives, cultural events, open communication, and employee engagement on the plant floor.
• Coordinate with local government agencies and lead charitable initiatives that strengthen community engagement and the plant’s external reputation.
• Lead union and employee representative engagement, collective bargaining, and negotiation of agreements.
• Resolve complex union grievances, arbitrations, and disciplinary matters; conduct impartial investigations and seek fair, consistent, and timely outcomes.
• Interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements and ensure contractual compliance, including representative compensation obligations.
• Lead HR compliance and risk management, identify and mitigate employment-related exposures, and collaborate with legal counsel and corporate investigatory teams.
• Manage payroll, attendance, vacation tracking, and leave programs including FMLA, workers’ compensation, and ADA-related leave, using HRIS systems.
• Partner with safety and occupational health leaders on safety audits, employee well-being, and workplace wellness initiatives.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
• Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

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