Leader, People

About Us:BW Packaging is driving performance at the intersection of people, technology, and customer care. As part of the privately held Barry-Wehmiller family, we unite a global team of packaging experts with a clear purpose: People Who Care, Building Solutions that Perform. We take on our customers’ toughest challenges as our own — delivering both innovative and enduring solutions that set the standard for value and performance. Our strength comes from our people and the power of our brands — trusted names in packaging that are known worldwide for engineering excellence, application expertise, and lifetime commitment to customer success. Truly Human Leadership guides our belief that exceptional business results and profound respect for people together provide the foundation of enduring success. We are committed to forging lasting partnerships with our customers, earning their trust through integrity, expertise, and execution. With our full range of packaging solutions and long term partnership and service, we help customers achieve operational excellence today while building the future of packaging together.Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.Job Description:The Leader, People plays a critical role in ensuring that culture and People practices are consistently delivered across teams and locations, reinforcing care for both team members and the business through reliable execution, strong operational oversight, and effective leadership. This role owns the delivery and performance of People Operations, flexing support based on business needs while ensuring onboarding, offboarding, employee relations, safety, compliance, and core People processes are executed accurately, consistently, and in alignment with company policies and legal requirements.The Leader, People leads and develops team members by setting clear expectations, reinforcing standards, and enabling consistent decision-making across day-to-day operations. Serving as a key connector between People Business Partners, leaders, and team members, this role ensures People programs, processes, and policies are implemented effectively and experienced consistently across the organization.Additionally, the Leader, People strengthens the connection between how People practices are designed and how they are delivered, identifying trends, resolving operational gaps, and driving continuous improvements that enhance organizational effectiveness and the overall team member experience.Key ResponsibilitiesPeople Operations ExecutionOwn execution and performance of onboarding, offboarding, and core People processes across teams and locations, ensuring a consistent and well-coordinated experience.Oversee Workday transactions, position management, and workflow execution, ensuring accuracy and data integrity.Ensure team member records, documentation, and compliance requirements are maintained in alignment with policies and regulatory standards.Oversee employee lifecycle processes including terminations, separations, and exit interviews, ensuring compliance with state and local requirements.Ensure effective management of team member documentation including medical documentation, accommodations, and employment records.Serve as an escalation point for team member and leader inquiries, ensuring clear, timely, and practical guidance.Employee Relations Guidance & CoordinationGuide employee relations intake, ensuring concerns are managed with professionalism, consistency, and discretion. Gather relevant information and ensure appropriate documentation.Oversee fact-finding and investigations, ensuring appropriate documentation and alignment to policies and risk considerations.Provide direction on performance management processes, including disciplinary actions and performance improvement plans (PIPs).Ensure consistent and fair application of policies, practices, and employment standards.Apply and interpret federal, state, and local employment laws in day-to-day decision-making.Partner with People Business Partners and Shared Services on complex or escalated cases.Safety, Compliance & Workforce OperationsEnsure accurate tracking and reporting of safety activities, including OSHA logs, incident documentation, and compliance requirements.Support coordination of safety incidents, including workers’ compensation processes, clinic coordination, and return-to-work programs.Partner with site and operations leaders to reinforce safety practices, committee engagement, and compliance expectations.Ensure compliance with required employment postings, audits, and regulatory standards.Oversee local support for leave of absence processes and accommodations in alignment with centralized teams.Act as a liaison for payroll-related coordination and team member inquiries, ensuring alignment with shared services.Recruiting & Workforce SupportOversee recruiting coordination, including opening requisitions, assigning recruiting, interview scheduling, and candidate communication.Support local recruiting efforts, particularly for manufacturing and front-line roles, including participation in interviews or phone screens.Ensure background checks, onboarding communications, and hiring processes are completed accurately and efficiently.Coordinate contingent labor needs in partnership with recruiting teams.Performance, Training & Leader EnablementGuide execution of performance management cycles, including goal setting, feedback processes, and documentation.Coach leaders to improve the quality and consistency of feedback, ratings, and performance discussions.Support merit processes, ensuring alignment, fairness, and internal equity.Provide guidance to leaders on corrective actions and disciplinary processes, ensuring strong documentation.Oversee training coordination, including required training completion, certifications, and Workday Learning administration.Coordinate and support delivery of training sessions for team members and leaders as needed.Programs, Culture & CommunicationEnsure effective implementation of engagement, recognition, and wellbeing programs.Support site or team-level culture initiatives including recognition programs, engagement committees, and events.Oversee People communications including new hire announcements, organizational updates, and People-related content.Coordinate People-related content for town halls, leadership meetings, and other forums.Ensure communications are clear, timely, and aligned with approval processes.Process Consistency & Continuous ImprovementEnsure consistent application of People policies, procedures, and systems across teams and locations.Identify patterns, gaps, or breakdowns in execution and drive improvements.Strengthen alignment between how People practices are designed and how they are experienced.Partner with People teams to improve processes, systems usage, and service delivery effectiveness.Qualifications & Experience6–10+ years of experience in HR or People OperationsStrong experience in employee relations, compliance, and HR operationsExperience leading teams and managing day-to-day People Operations deliveryKnowledge of federal, state, and local employment lawsExperience working in manufacturing or multi-site environments preferredExperience with Workday or similar HR systemsFlexibility to take on evolving responsibilities in response to strategic priorities and business needsBachelor’s degree in HR, Business, or related field, or equivalent experiencePhysical Demands (Essential Functions)Primarily office‑based with regular interaction on the manufacturing floor.Ability to sit or stand and work at a desk or workstation for extended periods,Ability to use a computer, keyboard, mouse, and phone for prolonged periods of time.Ability to read information on screens, documents, and presentations and to communicate verbally and in writing.Ability to work in a variety of environments, including office settings and manufacturing plants.May require occasional extended hours to support critical production or delivery milestones.The approximate pay range for this position is $100K -$120K (DOE). Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. ​Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.#LI-SE2Company:BW PackagingAt Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. ​Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.Company:BW PackagingSummaryLocation: Romeoville, ILType: Full time