Human Resources Manager

Job Title: Human Resources Manager

Job Description

The Human Resources Manager leads all HR functions for a growing small-to-mid-sized organization, building and refining the HR infrastructure from the ground up. This role ensures compliance with employment laws, develops and implements HR policies and procedures, and serves as the primary point of contact for all HR-related matters. The Human Resources Manager oversees full-cycle recruiting, compensation and benefits administration, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives to support a positive culture and sustainable organizational growth.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and keep leadership informed of relevant changes.

• Develop, implement, and maintain HR policies, procedures, and guidelines that support organizational goals and legal compliance.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all HR-related inquiries, providing timely, accurate, and professional support to employees and leaders.

• Oversee full-cycle recruiting and hiring, including workforce planning, sourcing, interviewing, selection, and offer processes.

• Lead and coordinate onboarding activities to ensure new employees have a smooth and positive transition into the organization.

• Create, maintain, and regularly update job descriptions to reflect current responsibilities, requirements, and organizational needs.

• Manage salary administration and conduct compensation analysis to help ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.

• Administer employee benefits programs, including annual enrollments, and act as a resource to employees on benefits questions.

• Drive employee engagement, retention, and culture initiatives that support a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.

• Support and administer performance management processes, including success maps and employee development plans.

• Advise leadership on HR best practices, organizational growth strategies, and workforce planning to support company expansion.

• Build, refine, and improve scalable HR processes, systems, and workflows that can grow with the organization.

• Handle employee relations matters with discretion and professionalism, helping to resolve issues and support a healthy workplace.

• Collaborate with leaders across the organization to align HR initiatives with business objectives.

• Maintain accurate and confidential HR records, documentation, and reports in accordance with legal and company requirements.

Essential Skills

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

• 5–10 years of Human Resources experience, including HR management responsibilities.

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws, compliance requirements, and HR best practices.

• Demonstrated experience in human resources management and HR administration.

• Experience overseeing full-cycle recruiting and recruitment processes.

• Proven experience in employee relations, with the ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion.

• Experience managing employee benefits programs and compensation administration.

• Hands-on experience with performance management and employee development initiatives.

• Ability to support and scale HR functions within a growing small-to-mid-sized organization.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to influence and advise leadership.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

• Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment when making HR-related decisions.

• Ability to handle confidential information with a high degree of discretion and professionalism.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience building HR processes and systems in a smaller company that is scaling.

• Experience in driving employee engagement and culture initiatives.

• Experience in workforce planning and organizational growth support.

• Proficiency in human resources management, recruitment, and HR management tools and practices.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including operations, lab, and manufacturing staff.

• A proactive, hands-on approach to HR with a desire to build and improve programs and processes.

Work Environment

The organization operates in a small office environment that is closely connected to lab and manufacturing areas, supporting a team of approximately 40 employees. The standard work schedule runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., providing a structured daytime workday. As the company is smaller but currently scaling and performing well, the environment offers an entrepreneurial atmosphere where HR processes are still being built out, giving this role a significant opportunity to shape the HR function and influence culture and practices across office, lab, and manufacturing operations.ex

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Newport News, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $100000.00/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 Newport News,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 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.