Director Human Resources

IDEX; Wooster (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

IDEX Akron Brass in Wooster, OH is seeking an experienced Human Resources Director who serves as a strategic business partner and hands-on HR leader. This role partners closely with site and business leadership to align people strategies with business objectives, strengthening organizational effectiveness, leadership capability, employee engagement, and overall performance.

You will lead labor relations in a unionized manufacturing environment, coach senior leaders, drive organizational change,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field.
• Demonstrated HR leadership experience in a business-facing environment.
• Experience with labor relations in a manufacturing setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR strategies aligning with business objectives and site leadership.
• Manage labor relations and collective bargaining in a unionized environment.
• Coach senior leaders and build organizational capability and succession plans.
• Ensure consistent execution of core HR processes and policies across the site.

Skills

HR Leadership

Labor relations

Manufacturing experience

Change management

Strategic partnering

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, business, or related field

Master's degree or SHRM/SPHR certification

Job description

Human Resources Director Fire & Safety - Akron Brass Business Unit Location: Wooster, Ohio

At Akron Brass, we design and manufacture mission-critical equipment for firefighters and emergency-response professionals, helping those who protect lives and communities perform safely and effectively when it matters most.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an experienced Human Resources Director who serves as both a strategic business partner and hands-on HR leader. This role partners closely with site and business leadership to align people strategies with business objectives, strengthening organizational effectiveness, leadership capability, employee engagement, and overall performance. The role also requires strong employee and labor relations expertise, demonstrating the ability to lead in a unionized manufacturing environment. The successful Human Resources Director will be more than the site’s HR expert. They will be a business leader who happens to lead HR. They will build credibility from the shop floor to senior leadership, strengthen the leadership bench, improve organizational capability, and create an environment where employees understand how their work connects to customers and business performance. They will bring the judgment to know when to challenge, when to coach, and when to act.

What You’ll Do

Business & HR Leadership

Serve as a trusted advisor to business and site leadership, connecting people priorities to business objectives. Develop and execute HR strategies that support growth, organizational effectiveness, operational performance, and strong employee experience. Use workforce insights and business acumen to identify organizational needs and proactively recommend solutions. Lead organizational change while helping leaders communicate effectively and build employee commitment.

Talent & Organizational Capability

Strengthen the leadership pipeline through talent reviews, succession planning, development planning, and targeted recruiting. Partner with leaders to assess organizational capability and ensure the business has the right talent and structure to deliver its priorities. Coach leaders on performance management, development, accountability, and building high-performing teams. Build bench strength for critical roles and help accelerate the development of emerging leaders.

Employee & Labor Relations

Serve as a key HR leader for the site’s union-represented workforce. Provide HR leadership for collective bargaining, contract administration, grievances, investigations, employee concerns, and interpretation of employment practices. Balance strong employee advocacy with the needs of the business while maintaining a respectful, productive workplace.

Culture & Engagement

Continue to foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, collaboration, continuous improvement, and employee engagement. Strengthen leader communication and connection with both salaried and hourly employees. Identify organizational and cultural barriers and work with leaders to address root causes rather than symptoms. Champion a strong employee experience while maintaining high expectations for performance.

HR Excellence

Ensure consistent and effective execution of core HR processes and policies. Partner across the broader Fire & Safety and IDEX HR organization to leverage enterprise capabilities, practices, and resources. Use data and HR metrics to identify trends and guide business and talent decisions.

What You’ll Bring

Required: Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business, or a related discipline. 5+ years of progressive HR leadership experience in a business-facing environment. Demonstrated employee and labor relations experience. Experience supporting manufacturing, operations, or similarly complex workforce. Strong knowledge of employment practices and HR fundamentals. Proven ability to coach and influence senior leaders. Experience with talent management, succession planning, organizational development, and change leadership. Strong communication, judgment, and problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred: Experience supporting a union-represented manufacturing workforce. Direct experience with collective bargaining, grievance administration, and labor contract interpretation. Experience leading HR for a manufacturing site or business unit. Master's degree or relevant HR certification such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR.

Are you ready to join a different kind of company where our people, our culture, and our commitments are centered around providing trusted solutions that improve lives around the world?

IDEX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IDEX gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other consideration or protected category made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

Attention Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please let us know. Likewise, if you are limited in the ability to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, we will determine an alternate way for you to apply. Please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at [e-mail] for assistance with an accommodation. These contact tools may be used only by individuals with a disability for accommodation requests. Do not inquire as to the status of an application.

IDEX (NYSE: IEX) is a company that has undoubtedly touched your life in some way. In fact, IDEX businesses make thousands of products that are mission-critical components in everyday activities. Chances are the car you’re driving has a BAND-IT® clamp holding your side airbag safely in place. If you were ever in a car accident, a Hurst Jaws of Life® rescue tool may have saved your life. If you or a family member is battling cancer, your doctor may have tested your DNA in a quest to find the best targeted medicine for you. It’s likely your DNA test was run on equipment that contains components made by our growing IDEX Health & Science team.