Sr. Manager Human Resources & Safety

Bigelow Tea•Fairfield, CT

About The Position

The Senior Manager Human Resources & Safety will report to the Vice President of Human Resources and will be responsible for leading all human resources and safety functions across three manufacturing plants. The role also leads the safety strategy and program implementation across all functions. This role supports approximately 350 employees and partners closely with plant leadership to drive high performance and people focused culture aligned with the company’s long-standing values. As a key member of the leadership team, this role champions employee engagement, safety excellence, compliance, and operational effectiveness while upholding the organization’s proud family owned heritage and commitment to employees, customers, product quality and the communities it serves.

Requirements

Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, negotiating, and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to influence and partner with leaders at all levels of the organization.
High level of integrity, discretion, confidentiality, and professionalism.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Willingness and ability to travel between locations as needed.
Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization’s HRIS and talent management systems.
Bilingual in Spanish is required.
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience).
7–10+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in manufacturing or multi-site environments.
Strong knowledge of employment law, HR best practices, and safety regulations (OSHA).
Proven experience in employee relations, talent management, and safety leadership.
Experience supporting non-union environments required.

Nice To Haves

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP highly desired.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary HR leader across three manufacturing plants.
Partner with VP of HR, VP of Manufacturing, Plant Managers and leadership teams to align HR strategies with business objectives.
Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, and organizational development.
Ensure consistent application of HR policies, practices, and employment laws across all locations.
Lead talent acquisition efforts, including workforce planning, recruiting, and onboarding.
Drive employee engagement initiatives that reinforce company culture and values.
Act as a trusted advisor to leaders and employees on sensitive and complex HR matters.
Promote a positive, respectful, and inclusive workplace environment.
Investigate and resolve employee concerns and workplace issues in a fair and timely manner.
Support leadership development and coaching across all locations.
Lead and oversee all safety programs across manufacturing plants and the corporate office.
Ensure compliance with OSHA and other regulatory requirements.
Partner with site HR and plant leadership to foster a proactive safety culture focused on prevention and continuous improvement.
Analyze safety metrics and drive initiatives to reduce incidents and improve workplace safety.
Coordinate safety training programs and ensure consistent implementation across all sites.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations across multiple states.
Maintain and update HR and safety policies, procedures, and employee handbook.
Manage audits, reporting, and documentation related to HR and safety compliance.
Support talent management processes including: performance management, goal setting, reviews, development planning, and succession planning.
Identify training and development needs and coordinate learning initiatives.
Drive continuous improvement in HR processes and systems.
Provide leadership and direction to dotted-line HR/Safety Leaders at each plant location.
Ensure consistency in HR and safety practices while allowing for site-specific needs.
Travel regularly to plant locations to build relationships and support on-site needs.