HR Specialist

Job Title: HR Specialist

Job Description

The HR Specialist role is a 6+ month contract position that serves as a key member of the Human Resources team, supporting approximately 200 employees, most of whom are hourly manufacturing staff. This position focuses on HRIS administration, employee onboarding, benefits support, payroll assistance, recruiting coordination, employee communications, and general HR operations. The role offers broad exposure across core HR functions and the opportunity to contribute to a global organization in the aerospace and defense industry.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for employee questions regarding benefits, policies, time off, and general HR matters.

• Maintain accurate employee records and process employee status changes within the HRIS system.

• Manage end-to-end onboarding activities, including new hire paperwork, orientation, and system setup.

• Support benefits administration, including enrollment activities and related employee communications.

• Assist with bi-weekly payroll processing and timekeeping administration for approximately 200 employees.

• Maintain and update employee data within HR systems and generate HR reports as needed.

• Support hourly recruiting efforts by coordinating and scheduling interviews and facilitating onboarding for new hires.

• Assist with employee engagement initiatives, wellness programs, and company-sponsored events.

• Maintain HR files and documentation, ensuring confidentiality, accuracy, and compliance with internal policies.

• Partner with site leadership and corporate HR teams to support HR programs and initiatives.

• Assist with internal communications related to company policies, benefits, safety initiatives, and general announcements.

• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable employment laws and regulations in all HR activities.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 2 years of Human Resources experience.

• Hands-on HRIS experience, with the ability to process employee transactions such as hires, terminations, status changes, benefits enrollment, and reporting within an HRIS.

• Experience supporting employees with HR-related questions and inquiries.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.

• Human resources experience, including employee relations and onboarding.

• HRIS administration experience, with Workday preferred but other platforms considered.

• Payroll support experience, including timekeeping administration, preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.

• Experience with Workday HRIS is strongly preferred.

• Experience supporting payroll processes and timekeeping systems.

• Knowledge of UKG, Kronos, ADP eTime, or similar time and attendance platforms.

• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, or hourly employee populations.

• Familiarity with employment laws including FMLA, ADA, ADEA, and FLSA.

• Experience working in a collaborative HR team and partnering with operations or manufacturing leadership.

• Interest in gaining broad HR exposure across HRIS, benefits, onboarding, payroll, recruiting, and employee relations.

Work Environment

This position is 100% on-site in Amesbury, MA, within a manufacturing environment that supports the aerospace and defense industry. The role operates on a flexible schedule within standard business hours, offering regular interaction with hourly manufacturing employees and a collaborative HR and leadership team. The assignment is expected to be long-term, with the potential to extend through April 2027 and strong potential for permanent conversion, providing stability and ongoing professional development in a dynamic, operations-focused setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Amesbury, MA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Amesbury,MA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io (%View email address on click.appcast.io) for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.