Associate Manager, HR

The J.M. Smucker Company; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The J.M. Smucker Company seeks an Associate HR Manager to drive talent, engagement, and organizational effectiveness at a fast-paced Uncrustables manufacturing site.

You will partner with plant leadership to attract, develop, and retain top talent while leading key HR processes and policy administration. This hands-on role requires experience in employee and labor relations, performance management, workforce planning, and recruiting for hourly and technical roles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field; HR Management preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Experience supporting employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, and workforce development.
• Manufacturing HR experience required.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Partner with plant leaders to drive talent, engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness.
• Support the site's people strategy by helping attract, develop, and retain top talent.
• Lead and execute HR processes including employee and labor relations, investigations, corrective actions, compliance activities, and policy administration.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders, providing coaching and guidance on performance management, workforce planning, and employee development.
• Lead recruiting efforts for hourly and technical roles, helping build strong talent pipelines for continued growth.
• Champion employee engagement, recognition, onboarding, and culture-building initiatives.
• Analyze workforce and organizational data to identify trends, opportunities, and solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement by streamlining HR processes and enhancing the employee experience.
• Partner with HR Shared Services and Centers of Excellence to deliver effective people solutions.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, employment laws, and audit requirements.
• Support key plant initiatives, community involvement activities, and employee events.
• Contribute to a workplace culture where employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired to do their best work.

Skills

Talent acquisition

Employee relations

Leadership development

HR policy administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Associate HR Manager Help Power the Growth of Uncrustables® At Smucker, we're growing one of the most exciting brands in food, and we're looking for an HR leader who wants to make a real impact. As the Associate HR Manager, you'll play a key role in attracting top talent, developing leaders, strengthening culture, and supporting the employees who help bring Uncrustables® to life every day. This is a hands-on opportunity to partner with plant leadership, influence business results, and help build an engaged, high-performing workforce in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

In this role you will:

• Partner with plant leaders to drive talent, engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness.
• Support the site's people strategy by helping attract, develop, and retain top talent.
• Lead and execute key HR processes including employee and labor relations, investigations, corrective actions, compliance activities, and policy administration.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders, providing coaching and guidance on performance management, workforce planning, and employee development.
• Lead recruiting efforts for hourly and technical roles, helping build strong talent pipelines for continued growth.
• Champion employee engagement, recognition, onboarding, and culture-building initiatives.
• Analyze workforce and organizational data to identify trends, opportunities, and solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement by streamlining HR processes and enhancing the employee experience.
• Partner with HR Shared Services and Centers of Excellence to deliver effective people solutions.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, employment laws, and audit requirements.
• Support key plant initiatives, community involvement activities, and employee events.
• Contribute to a workplace culture where employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired to do their best work.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field; HR Management preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Experience supporting employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, and workforce development.
• Manufacturing HR experience required.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Additional skills and experience that will make you successful:

• Proven ability to build trust, influence leaders, and drive results.
• Strong employee relations and workplace investigation experience.
• Experience working with HRIS platforms and HR technologies.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
• Passion for developing people and creating an exceptional employee experience.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Why Join Uncrustables®?

Be part of one of the fastest-growing businesses within The J.M. Smucker Company. Help shape the culture, leadership, and future workforce of a growing manufacturing operation. Make a visible impact on people, performance, and business results. Grow your HR career while supporting a brand loved by millions. Build great teams. Develop future leaders. Help power the future of Uncrustables®.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together.

Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn®

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

We’re a community of passionate, talented professionals dedicated to creating food people and pets love—while supporting the communities in which we work and live. We value what makes each person unique, champion growth and development, and foster collaboration that fuels productivity and drives our shared success.

Learn more about our Thrive Together purpose

At Smucker, we're passionate about creating a workplace where you truly belong. With a culture rooted in our Basic Beliefs and a competitive Total Rewards program, we aim to support every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

Learn more about working at Smucker

Our culture is sustained and brought to life every day by the people of Smucker and our hiring process is designed to identify the right candidate for every position at our company.

Learn more about our hiring process

Learn more about our hiring process

The J. M. Smucker Co. (the “Company”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.