Head of Employee Relations & HR Compliance

Position SummaryThe Human Resources Manager will oversee all HR functions for a manufacturing facility, ensuring full compliance with labor laws and union agreements while fostering a positive and productive workplace culture. This role plays a critical part in employee relations, labor strategy, recruitment, training, and compliance within a unionized environment.The ideal candidate brings strong experience in manufacturing HR, employee relations, and collective bargaining, with the ability to balance business needs and employee advocacy effectively.This position reports directly to the Senior HR Manager and manages the site HR Generalist.Key ResponsibilitiesUnion Relations & Labor ComplianceServe as the primary HR contact for employee relations matters, including grievances, investigations, and disciplinary actions.Develop and maintain positive working relationships with union representatives and employees to support effective labor-management collaboration.Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements, ensuring consistent application of contract terms.Investigate and resolve grievances in alignment with union agreements and company policies.Ensure compliance with labor laws, union contracts, and internal HR policies.Support arbitration, mediation, and disciplinary processes in collaboration with senior HR leadership.Assist in preparation for collective bargaining negotiations by gathering and analyzing relevant workforce data.Provide guidance to supervisors and managers on performance management and employee relations issues.Employee RelationsFoster a respectful, inclusive, and productive work environment through proactive employee engagement and conflict resolution.Recruitment & StaffingPartner with Talent Acquisition to oversee hiring processes for hourly and salaried roles.Build and maintain relationships with staffing agencies, educational institutions, and community partners.Ensure effective onboarding processes, including compliance with union-specific requirements.Training & DevelopmentDevelop and deliver training programs for employees and supervisors on HR policies, labor relations, safety, and compliance.Partner with leadership to identify training needs and support employee development initiatives.Ensure HR policies and practices comply with federal, state, local, and company requirements.QualificationsEducationBachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.HR certifications (SHRM-CP, PHR, or equivalent) preferred.Experience5–7 years of progressive HR experience in a manufacturing environment required.3–5 years of direct union experience strongly preferred.Strong background in employee relations, conflict resolution, and HR compliance.Working knowledge of union contracts, grievance procedures, and arbitration processes.Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism and discretion.Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite.Work includes both office and plant-floor presence.Occasional travel may be required.Working ConditionsSplit environment between office and manufacturing floor.May require occasional evenings or weekends based on operational or labor needs.Compensation & BenefitsPay Range: $110,000 – $125,000 annually (bonus potential based on performance goals)Benefits for Non-Union Employees include:Medical, Dental, and Vision CoveragePrescription Drug CoverageShort-Term and Long-Term Disability InsuranceBasic Life and AD&D Insurance401(k) with Company MatchPaid Holidays and VacationWhy Join Us?Key leadership role supporting both employees and operationsOpportunity to shape labor relations strategy in a manufacturing environmentStrong cross-functional partnership with senior leadershipCompetitive compensation and comprehensive benefits packageOpportunity to make a meaningful impact on culture, compliance, and employee experience

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