Director, Human Resources

Pelican Products, Inc.; Deerfield (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off + holidays

401k with immediate match

Pet insurance

Health savings account

Wellness program

Employee discounts

Job summary

Pelican Products, Inc. in South Deerfield, MA, seeks a Director of Human Resources to lead site HR strategy and execution for a manufacturing facility. You will partner with operations leaders to align people plans with business goals and drive organizational effectiveness and employee engagement.

Role requires 8–10+ years of HR leadership in manufacturing, along with strong relations, development, and employment-law expertise. Travel as needed; competitive benefits included.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration or equivalent.
• 8–10+ years HR leadership in manufacturing, industrial, or distribution.
• Experience partnering with senior operations leaders in a matrixed organization.
• Expertise in employee relations, organizational development, talent management, and employment law.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and drive engagement.
• Executive presence with coaching, communication, and influencing skills.
• Business acumen with ability to translate priorities into people strategies.
• Experience with HRIS platforms such as Dayforce.
• Willingness to travel as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR business partner to the VP of Operations across South Deerfield.
• Lead organizational change initiatives to strengthen culture and performance.
• Coach leaders on effectiveness, workforce planning, and change management.
• Build leadership capability through succession planning and development.
• Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor and build trusted relations.
• Oversee site HR functions: compensation, compliance, performance, development.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition on hiring strategies and growth.
• Lead and develop the site HR team and ensure excellent service.
• Use HR metrics to identify trends and drive data-driven decisions.
• Develop and implement HR programs and policies to improve efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, local laws and policies.
• Lead site-wide HR initiatives and enterprise projects.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Employee relations

Organizational development

Talent management

Employment law

Executive coaching

Communication

Influencing skills

Business acumen

HRIS Dayforce

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

MBA

SPHR certification

Tools

Dayforce

Job description

Who We Are

At Pelican, we engineer products that stand up to the world’s toughest conditions—because the people who rely on us do too. For nearly 50 years, we’ve been a trusted partner for military personnel, first responders, outdoor adventurers, and innovators who push the limits.

We're Hiring: Director, Human Resources

Location

South Deerfield, MA

Company

Pelican

Who We Are

At Pelican, we engineer products that stand up to the world’s toughest conditions—because the people who rely on us do too. For nearly 50 years, we’ve been a trusted partner for military personnel, first responders, outdoor adventurers, and innovators who push the limits. With a global presence that includes 11 offices, 4 manufacturing facilities, and 4 custom case centers, we create high-performance protective solutions that ensure our customers can focus on what matters most. Whether it’s transporting critical medical supplies, securing mission-essential equipment, or keeping expedition gear safe, Pelican products are Built to Protect to Equip for the Mission. At Pelican, your work has a real-world impact. You’ll be part of a team driven by innovation, craftsmanship, and the shared belief that when the mission is critical, failure isn’t an option. If you’re ready to build something that makes a difference, be part of a team that protects what matters most.

What You'll Do

Pelican is seeking an experienced Director, Human Resources to serve as the senior HR leader for our South Deerfield manufacturing facility. Reporting to the Senior Director of Human Resources, with a strong partnership to the Vice President of Operations, you'll play a critical role in aligning people strategies with business objectives while building a high-performing, engaged workforce. This is a highly visible leadership role where you'll partner with operations leaders to drive organizational effectiveness, strengthen leadership capability, foster an exceptional employee experience, and support the continued growth of our manufacturing business.

Lead People. Influence Strategy. Shape the Future.

Strategic HR Leadership

• Serve as the primary HR business partner to the Vice President of Operations, aligning people strategies with business goals
• Lead organizational change initiatives that strengthen culture, employee engagement, retention, and operational performance
• Coach and influence leaders on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, leadership development, and change management
• Build leadership capability through succession planning, talent development, and employee engagement initiatives

People & Culture

• Foster a high-performance culture built on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Maintain a strong presence on the manufacturing floor, building trusted relationships with leaders and employees
• Lead complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, performance management, and conflict resolution
• Champion initiatives that enhance the employee experience while minimizing organizational risk

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all site Human Resources functions, including employee relations, compensation administration, compliance, performance management, and talent development
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to support workforce planning, hiring strategies, and organizational growth
• Lead and develop the site HR team, ensuring exceptional service and business partnership
• Utilize HR metrics and workforce analytics to identify trends and drive data-informed decisions
• Develop and implement HR programs, policies, and process improvements that improve efficiency and business performance
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and company policies
• Lead site-wide HR initiatives and collaborate on enterprise projects that support strategic business objectives
• Perform additional duties as assigned

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or equivalent experience
• 8–10+ years of progressive HR leadership experience within a manufacturing, industrial, or distribution environment
• Demonstrated success partnering with senior operations leaders in a matrixed organization
• Strong expertise in employee relations, organizational development, talent management, and employment law
• Proven ability to lead organizational change, improve engagement, and build high-performing teams
• Executive presence with exceptional coaching, communication, and influencing skills
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate business priorities into people strategies
• Experience with HRIS platforms such as Dayforce and Microsoft Office
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to travel as business needs require

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA and/or SPHR certification

What’s In It For You

• Competitive paid time off plans / Holiday pay /extra vacation purchase opportunities
• 401k plan – with immediate match
• Great Benefits – several options including Pet insurance for our animal lovers.
• Health Savings Account Contribution
• Wellness Discount Program
• Global Mental Wellness Program
• Quarterly Employee Celebration Days
• Peer to Peer Recognition Program
• Service Recognition Program
• Amazing employee discount program on Pelican Products, Pelican branded apparel and gear
• Employee referral program – get paid to work with your trusted network.
• Beautiful New England location
• Onsite Gym
• Established reputable brand offering premium products – you’ll be proud to represent Pelican!
• And more…

Compensation & Benefits

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets. Base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The annual U.S. pay range for this position is listed below. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on your qualifications, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process. We also offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including paid time off, 10 paid holidays per year, medical/dental/vision insurance, company-paid life and disability plans, and matching 401k to eligible employees.

Pelican Products, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.