HR Manager

Overview:

The HR Manager leads the Human Resources function for Novia Corporation, with responsibility for the full scope of HR across our Salem and Manchester, NH operations. This is a hands-on role: the HR Manager owns the department's programs and priorities, executes the day-to-day work, and serves as a trusted business partner to the Finance Director, the senior leadership team, and associates at every level. The HR Manager is accountable for building and sustaining a positive, high-performing workplace culture while maintaining progressive, compliant policies and practices. The role begins without direct reports. As Novia continues to grow, the HR Manager is expected to scale the function accordingly - adding structure, building and leading a small HR team, and taking on multi-site responsibility as additional locations join the business.

Essential Duties include, but not limited to:

Function Leadership & Department Ownership

• Own the HR function end to end - setting annual goals and priorities aligned to business objectives and reporting progress to the Finance Director and leadership team
• Own the HR department budget, including headcount, training spend, recruiting costs, and vendor and broker relationships
• Serve as the primary HR decision-maker for day-to-day matters, escalating only what genuinely requires Finance Director or leadership involvement
• Build HR processes and documentation that scale with the business and reduce single-point-of-failure risk
• Represent HR in leadership meetings and contribute to broader operational and strategic discussions
• Recruit, onboard, and lead HR staff as the function grows; extend HR support and consistent practices to additional sites as they join the business

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Own the full-cycle recruiting process across both sites, for salaried and hourly production roles
• Partner with department managers on workforce planning, including shift staffing and coverage requirements
• Maintain Applicant Tracking Systems (via Indeed & Dayforce) and continuously improve time-to-fill and quality of hire
• Own the onboarding process end to end, including all paperwork, drug & background screening, and new hire orientation
• Monitor the 90-day evaluation period in coordination with department managers
• Develop and maintain the employer brand and recruiting collateral to strengthen Novia's position in a competitive labor market

Employee Relations & Performance

• Own employee relations across the organization, including investigations, coaching sessions, corrective action, and terminations
• Advise and coach managers and supervisors on performance management, documentation, and difficult conversations
• Drive the annual performance review and merit increase cycle, including calibration across departments
• Lead succession planning and associate development, identifying key roles and building bench strength
• Maintain an open-door policy and a visible presence on the floor at both sites
• Act as an advocate for associates, balancing associate interests with business needs

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll

• Own the compensation structure, including job descriptions, salary bands, and regular market compensation analysis
• Ensure payroll is processed accurately and on time each week; serve as the escalation point for payroll issues
• Facilitate benefits administration, including end-of-year open enrollment activities and ongoing carrier and broker management
• Partner with Finance on headcount planning, labor cost analysis, and annual budget preparation
• Complete weekly and monthly reporting within the corporation and up to Hill & Smith Holdings, PLC

Compliance & Risk

• Own HR compliance across all locations, including multi-state employment law obligations
• Monitor Federal and State laws and update Novia policies and practices accordingly
• Maintain the employee handbook and update policies as needed
• Conduct record audits and mandatory reporting, including I-9 audits, EEO-1 filings, state filings, payroll audits, and other compliance reviews
• Review and update compliance postings as required at all locations
• Monitor Hill & Smith Holdings PLC corporate policy and update Novia Corporation's practices accordingly
• Partner with the EHS function on shared areas including workers' compensation, leave administration, return-to-work, and training compliance
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with company policy and federal law

Culture, Engagement & Communication

• Facilitate the annual Employee Engagement Survey; analyze results and lead actionable improvement plans that measurably improve engagement
• Coordinate frequent and relevant employee engagement events across both sites
• Design and deliver training for both managers and associates
• Establish and maintain diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Coordinate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) activities with associates and the local communities
• Act as a brand ambassador, championing company culture internally and externally
• Create collateral for recruiting and employee engagement, including newsletters and company updates

Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Own the Ceridian Dayforce HRIS platform, including record keeping, timesheets, reporting, and associate self-service adoption
• Parent Company fully manages and supports the software
• Identify and implement improvements to HR processes, with an emphasis on automation and reducing manual administration
• Continue Novia's push for a paperless environment
• Attend virtual or on-site interviews, meetings, or trainings as required

Education and Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• 5-7 years of progressive Human Resources experience required, including experience acting as the senior HR resource for a site or business unit
• Experience leading, supervising, or mentoring HR staff preferred; this role is expected to build and lead a team over time
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP preferred
• Manufacturing or industrial environment experience strongly preferred, including experience supporting an hourly production workforce
• Multi-site and multi-state HR experience preferred
• Demonstrated ownership of employee relations matters through to resolution with limited oversight
• Working knowledge of an HRIS platform required; Ceridian Dayforce experience a plus

Key Competencies:
• Sound independent judgment - able to own decisions and resolve issues without escalating routinely
• Credibility and presence with both the shop floor and the leadership team
• Comfort operating in a lean organization where the manager is also a practitioner
• Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to deliver difficult messages clearly and respectfully
• Analytical mindset; able to use data to support recommendations to senior leaders
• Discretion and unwavering confidentiality

Physical Requirements:
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Regular presence in a manufacturing environment, including the production floor
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds at times
• Occasional travel may be required as needed

Employment Details:

• Salaried - Full Time
• Weekly Pay
• Amazing benefits include: Affordable Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with Match, Pet Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, PTO, Paid Holidays, Floating Holidays, Birthday Day off, and Fun Employee Engagement Events!

Novia Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.