Director of HR

PCRecruiter - Recruitment Software & Applicant Tracking System; Melrose Park (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established food and beverage manufacturer seeks a Director of Human Resources to foster a strong workplace culture and enhance employee engagement and safety. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, over 5 years of HR experience, and the ability to connect with individuals at all levels. The HR Director will have a significant role in shaping the employee handbook and leading key cultural initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in a manufacturing or plant-based environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting and coaching hourly employees and frontline leaders.
• Working knowledge of employment laws and strong documentation practices.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day HR partner for frontline employees and management.
• Lead employee engagement surveys and action planning.
• Participate on the Safety Committee, advocating for employee well-being.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Cross-functional collaboration

Conflict resolution

Coaching

Safety initiatives

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources

Business

Psychology

Job description

We’re partnering with a well-established, privately held food and beverage manufacturer to help them find a Director of Human Resources. The company produces premium cocktail mixers, coffee syrups, sauces, and concentrates for major national brands.

Our client is not just making products—they're building a culture. One rooted in teamwork, safety, continuous improvement, and respect for every person who walks through our doors. They believe success starts on the shop floor, and their team is the heartbeat of that success. We’re looking for an emotionally intelligent and highly approachable HR Director who thrives in a hands-on environment and connects easily with people across all levels of the organization.

Why You’ll Love This Role

• You’ll be a visible, trusted presence on the plant floor—not stuck behind a desk.

• Your voice will shape the employee handbook, engagement surveys, and key cultural initiatives.

• You’ll work cross-functionally with safety, operations, and senior leadership, serving as the bridge between employee concerns and organizational goals.

• You’ll help drive a safety-first culture by joining and influencing the safety committee.

• You’ll be empowered to drive engagement, improve morale, and strengthen retention.

Your Impact

• Serve as the day-to-day HR partner for frontline employees, supervisors, and managers across the facility.

• Lead and facilitate employee engagement surveys—from rollout to action planning and follow-up.

• Collaborate with leadership on the development and updates of the employee handbook to reflect company values, culture, and compliance.

• Participate on the Safety Committee, championing employee well-being and proactive safety initiatives.

• Help resolve employee relations matters with fairness, empathy, and professionalism.

• Assist with policy rollout, conflict resolution, performance management, and consistent policy interpretation.

• Foster a work environment built on trust, accountability, and respect.

What You Bring

• A genuine love for working with people—you’re the person who listens, connects, and lifts others up.

• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in a manufacturing or plant-based environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Psychology, or a related field. (HR certifications a plus!)

• Demonstrated experience supporting and coaching hourly employees and frontline leaders.

• A track record of cross-functional collaboration and bringing structure to fast-paced environments.

• High emotional intelligence—you read the room, know when to lead, and when to listen.

• Comfort navigating gray areas with discretion and integrity.

• Working knowledge of employment laws and strong documentation practices.

• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus but not required.