Associate Director, HR

Wabash; Lafayette (IN); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Wabash in Lafayette, Indiana seeks an Associate Director, Human Resources to act as a strategic business partner across regions, shaping HR initiatives and policy programs. You will lead HR efforts spanning recruitment, performance, development, and employee relations within a manufacturing context.

The role requires a strong track record in leading large teams, managing change, and partnering with senior leadership to drive company goals while ensuring compliance with state and federal

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or Business Administration or related field.
• Master's degree preferred for advanced HR leadership roles.
• Minimum 10 years of HR experience with multi-site leadership.
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SCP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partners with senior leadership across multiple manufacturing sites to translate business goals into HR initiatives.
• Tracks KPIs to measure and predict HR outcomes.
• Leads organizational change initiatives and drives continuous improvement in HR programs.
• Advises site leaders on policies, performance management, and employee relations.

Skills

Strategic HR partnership

Stakeholder relationships

Change management

Leadership/people management

Recruitment lifecycle

Policy development

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or Business Administration

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Database management tools

Job description

The Associate Director, Human Resources acts as a strategic business partner, supporting multiple regions, while providing support and expertise on all human resources and employment related issues including recruitment, investigation, disciplinary action, employee development, communications, performance management, succession planning, and policies and procedures. This position is viewed as a full business partner tied to business initiatives and directives within the One Wabash organization.

Your Responsibilities:

• Develops strong relationships and partners with key stakeholders including senior manufacturing leaders, regional directors, managers, business leaders and HR team
• Tracks and reports KPIs designed to measure and predict HR outcomes
• Serves as a strategic business partner to the Regional Manufacturing leadership team to translate business goals and objectives into well aligned HR initiatives
• Leads and/or manages courageously during organizational change; takes appropriate risks, energizes, and encourages others to do so to achieve company goals and priorities
• Utilizes Lean Enterprise principles within HR function by evaluating the efficiency, effectiveness and value add of various HR tools and programs
• Provides direction and counsel to Regional Manufacturing Director(s), and manufacturing site leaders regarding policies & procedures to include day-to-day issues, professional development, employee morale, discipline, and performance management
• Engages and influences senior leaders in strategic discussions, challenges current thinking, influences outcomes and leads change in behaviors
• Identifies, creates, and implements change management initiatives to proactively support key business initiatives
• Manages the communication of HR initiatives, removing barriers and participating in continuous improvement activities as needed to raise the bar
• Supports HR teams to develop community involvement strategies to promote good corporate citizenship
• Strong understanding of employment law and compliance requirements
• Leads Human Resources team across multiple manufacturing facilities
• Development and implementation of Human Resources policies, procedures, and programs
• Other duties as assigned

Let's Talk About Your Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (Preferred Major: Human Resources or Business Administration) Master's Degree highly preferred
• At least 10 years of general HR experience, including 7+ as a site-wide functional HR leader and 5+ years with multi-site responsibility.
• 5+ years of direct supervisory/management experience of a large team, including employee coaching, mentoring, and developing
• Manufacturing experience
• Proven track record of successfully implementing large scale/systemic change efforts across an organization
• PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SCP preferred
• A clear and contemporary understanding of all HR functions: recruitment, compensation and benefits, leadership and management development, organizational effectiveness, and employee relations
• Must be highly proficient in the Microsoft Office suite of products, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated experience utilizing database management tools
• Knowledge of State and Federal regulations
• Demonstrated learning agility; should demonstrate the ability to proactively identify and implement innovative recruitment/process solutions
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated clear understanding of the recruitment lifecycle processes
• Demonstrated proficiency in strategy development, policy, plan and/or program design and implementation skills that attract, retain, and motivate employees, appropriately manage risk, and maximize the profitability of the business
• Analytical skills

Leadership Attributes:

At Wabash, we pride ourselves on being empowering, and there are some things we feel very strongly about:

• Embrace Diversity and Inclusion -- Solicit and respect the input of others, celebrate differences, and strive for transparency and inclusiveness
• Seek to Listen -- Actively listen to reach the best solution and make the strongest decisions
• Always Learn -- Strive to improve; do not quit or settle for the status quo
• Be Authentic -- Demonstrate honesty, incredible energy, and grit in everything you do
• Win Together -- Collaborate, seek alignment, and excel at cross-group communication to success as one team and One Wabash

Join us in turning ideas into world-changing realities. Curate and build your high-impact professional career at Wabash!

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement:

Wabash is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for its associates and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or other protected class or activity under federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions must be based on neutral, legitimate criteria. All employment policies and rules shall be applied equally to similarly situated associates.

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Information on race, gender and national origin will only be used for statistical and recordkeeping purposes, and will not be used in making any employment decisions. All information provided will be kept separate from your expression of interest. Providing this information is strictly voluntary, and you will not be subjected to any adverse action or treatment if you choose not to provide this information. If you do not choose to answer these questions, we ask that you select "Decline to Identify" for each question. Thank you for your voluntary cooperation.