Head of Recruiting & HR

The HR Manager will serve as a strategic HR leader and hands‑on partner to the plant leadership team during this critical greenfield expansion phase. This role is responsible for building the HR function from the ground up to support the launch and ramp‑up of a new solar cell manufacturing facility in Greenville, SC. The HR Manager will drive full‑cycle talent acquisition (professional and operator levels), build a strong leadership team, establish all HR policies/systems, promote employer branding, manage international recruitment and immigration processes, and foster positive community relations in a fast‑paced, high‑growth manufacturing environment.

Strategic HR Leadership & Factory Start‑up

Lead the build‑out of the HR function for a brand‑new solar cell manufacturing facility, including workforce planning from scratch to full production capacity

Partner with senior leadership to build a high‑performing leadership team and scalable organizational structure

Develop and implement factory policies, benefits programs, payroll processes, HRIS systems, and compliance frameworks

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Development

Drive full‑cycle talent acquisition for both salaried professional roles and hourly operator/technician positions to meet aggressive ramp‑up timelines

Lead international talent recruitment efforts, including visa sponsorship, immigration processes, and relocation support

Build and promote a strong employer brand to attract top talent in the solar/manufacturing sector

Employee Relations & Performance Management

Manage employee relations, investigations, corrective actions, and conflict resolution

Coach leaders on performance management, progressive discipline, goal setting, and talent development

Foster a positive, safety‑first, and inclusive culture on the production floor

Compliance, HR Operations & Systems

Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, OSHA, etc.)

Oversee workers’ compensation, return‑to‑work programs, and workplace safety initiatives in partnership with operations

Set up and manage HRIS, payroll, benefits administration, and reporting systems

Analyze HR metrics (turnover, absenteeism, time‑to‑fill, etc.) to drive data‑informed decisions

Community & Overseas Administration

Establish and lead local community engagement activities to build Abner Solar’s reputation as an employer of choice in the Greenville area

Manage overseas administration and coordination with global HR/talent teams as needed

Support expatriate assignments and international employee integration

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or 7+ years of progressive HR experience in manufacturing)

Proven experience building HR functions or supporting greenfield manufacturing plant start‑ups

Strong background in talent acquisition, including high‑volume hourly hiring and professional‑level recruitment

Experience with international recruitment, visa/immigration processes, and managing diverse, multi‑cultural workforces

Solid knowledge of employment law and HR best practices in a manufacturing environment

Bi‑lingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred

Proficiency with HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite

Excellent communication, coaching, project management, and problem‑solving skills

Previous HR Manager or Senior HRBP experience in manufacturing (especially solar, semiconductor, or high‑tech)

Experience in union‑free manufacturing environments

Background in employer branding and community relations

On‑site in a new manufacturing/plant environment with regular presence on the production floor