Senior Human Resources Manager

Fairbanks Morse Defense • Chesapeake, VA

18h

About The Position

Mission-Driven. Honor-Bound. Fairbanks Morse Defense. What’s your calling? For the men and women of Fairbanks Morse Defense it’s the rapid and effective support of the fleets that entrust us to design, develop, and deliver the best naval power technology on the planet. We’re one of the nation’s leading marine defense contractors because of the highly trained and dedicated teams that provide reliable power systems, parts, and aftermarket services to the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and Canadian Coast Guard. When you join Fairbanks Morse Defense, you join a legacy of commitment that spans 150 years. Fairbanks Morse Defense offers competitive benefits with a wide range of training and development opportunities. Our world-class teams are dedicated to helping every individual achieve their full potential. Discover what it’s like to be a part of the Fairbanks Morse Defense team here: https://www.fairbanksmorsedefense.com/careers
Senior Human Resources Manager
Location: Houston, TX or Chesapeake, VA
Reports To: President, Aftermarket
Role Purpose
The Senior Human Resources Manager serves as a strategic business partner and operational lead for our primary aftermarket service centers. This role is responsible for driving organizational effectiveness, rapid-response talent acquisition, and operational excellence across a high-velocity workforce dedicated to supporting mission-critical defense contracts. You will ensure that HR processes are lean, scalable, and aligned with the rigorous demands of the defense industry.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: 8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a manufacturing, service center, or defense-contracting environment.
• Certifications: PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SCP
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Dayforce or similar enterprise-grade HRIS platforms. Advanced expertise in data analytics and scorecard management.
• Travel: Ability to travel between service centers as required (approximately 20%).
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Operational Mindset: A focus on efficiency, "Lean" thinking, and continuous improvement.
• Urgency & Velocity: The ability to move fast without sacrificing precision in a high-stakes environment.
• Influence: Proven ability to coach senior operational leaders and navigate complex, matrixed reporting structures.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or Master’s degree preferred.
• certifications in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Aftermarket leadership to align HR strategy with operational goals, focusing on labor utilization and workforce flexibility.
• Utilize Tactical Process Improvement (TPI) and Kaizen methodologies to streamline HR workflows, including payroll adjustments, onboarding, and performance tracking.
• Maintain high "Velocity" in HR service delivery, ensuring that personnel actions, merit reviews, and compliance reporting are executed with 100% accuracy.
• Audit and optimize HRIS data (Dayforce) to ensure scorecard metrics and Monthly Operations Reviews (MOR) reflect real-time headcount and performance data.
• Manage the annual merit review cycle and incentive programs for the aftermarket population.
• Oversee end-to-end recruitment for technical roles, including field service technicians, engineers, and skilled trades, ensuring a robust pipeline for surge requirements.
• Create and facilitate programs to build internal bench strength and elevate management capabilities.
• Drive a culture of strict accountability and high performance through proactive coaching and developmental performance management.
• Ensure all HR activities comply with federal defense contracting requirements (e.g., OFCCP, ITAR, and DCAA).
• Lead workplace investigations and resolve complex employee relations issues with a focus on fair treatment and risk mitigation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for local community engagement and labor market analysis

Benefits

• Fairbanks Morse Defense offers a competitive benefits package including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances, and 401k retirement plan with employer match.
• In addition, we offer paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

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