HR Director

Rocket-Ems; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket EMS seeks an experienced, hands-on Director of Human Resources to lead and modernize the HR function across our growing manufacturing organization. The role combines strategy with practical execution, requiring strong judgment to challenge existing practices and drive meaningful change while partnering with executives, managers, and employees.

We value manufacturing experience and a track record of HR transformation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience with leadership responsibility.
• 5+ years leading HR teams or a substantial HR function.
• Experience in manufacturing or other complex operational environments preferred.
• Experience developing job architecture, compensation structures, policies, and HR controls.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or comparable certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Human Resources function across multiple locations.
• Assess the existing HR organization, processes, and responsibilities and implement changes to improve effectiveness, accountability, and service to the business.
• Establish clear roles and responsibilities within HR and eliminate unnecessary duplication or inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement scalable HR policies, procedures, systems, and controls to support continued company growth.
• Partner with executive leadership on organizational structure, workforce planning, succession planning, talent strategy, and other people-related initiatives.
• Establish consistent job architecture, job descriptions, leveling, compensation ranges, promotion practices, and compensation controls across the organization.
• Ensure compensation decisions are competitive, internally equitable, and aligned with business needs.
• Strengthen performance management processes and establish clear expectations and accountability for managers and employees.
• Coach leaders and managers on employee relations, performance issues, organizational effectiveness, and leadership practices.
• Provide oversight and guidance on complex employee relations matters, investigations, corrective actions, and terminations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, California, Nevada, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Oversee HR programs including onboarding, benefits, employee relations, performance management, training and development, compensation, and HRIS administration.
• Develop meaningful HR metrics and reporting to identify trends, risks, and opportunities and support executive decision-making.
• Evaluate HR technology and processes and identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and improved data integrity.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Employee relations

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field

Tools

HRIS (HR Information System)

Payroll systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Location: San Jose, CA or Carson City, NV
Reports To: Executive Leadership
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Overview

Rocket is seeking an experienced, hands‑on Director of Human Resources to lead and modernize the HR function across our growing organization.

This is an opportunity for a strong HR leader to assess the current organization, establish clear ownership and accountability, strengthen processes and controls, and build an HR function capable of supporting a fast‑paced, rapidly growing manufacturing business.

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable developing HR strategy and rolling up their sleeves to execute. This individual must have the judgment and confidence to challenge existing practices, address organizational inefficiencies, and drive meaningful change while building strong relationships with executives, managers, and employees.

Manufacturing experience and demonstrated success leading HR transformation or organizational change are strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Human Resources function across multiple locations.
• Assess the existing HR organization, processes, and responsibilities and implement changes needed to improve effectiveness, accountability, and service to the business.
• Establish clear roles and responsibilities within HR and eliminate unnecessary duplication or inefficiencies.
• Develop and implement scalable HR policies, procedures, systems, and controls to support continued company growth.
• Partner with executive leadership on organizational structure, workforce planning, succession planning, talent strategy, and other people-related initiatives.
• Establish consistent job architecture, job descriptions, leveling, compensation ranges, promotion practices, and compensation controls across the organization.
• Ensure compensation decisions are competitive, internally equitable, and aligned with business needs.
• Strengthen performance management processes and establish clear expectations and accountability for managers and employees.
• Coach leaders and managers on employee relations, performance issues, organizational effectiveness, and leadership practices.
• Provide oversight and guidance on complex employee relations matters, investigations, corrective actions, and terminations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, California, Nevada, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Oversee HR programs including onboarding, benefits, employee relations, performance management, training and development, compensation, and HRIS administration.
• Develop meaningful HR metrics and reporting to identify trends, risks, and opportunities and support executive decision-making.
• Evaluate HR technology and processes and identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and improved data integrity.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing HR team capable of effectively supporting a growing multi‑site organization.
• Partner closely with Talent Acquisition and operational leadership to ensure workforce needs are anticipated and positions are appropriately structured, leveled, and compensated.
• Support organizational changes, facility expansions, integrations, restructuring, and other strategic initiatives as required.
• Foster a culture of accountability, consistency, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant HR leadership responsibility.
• 5+ years of experience leading HR teams and/or a substantial HR function.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, electronics, semiconductor, aerospace, medical device, automotive, or another complex operational environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience improving, restructuring, or modernizing an HR organization or function.
• Experience supporting both hourly manufacturing populations and professional/executive employees.
• Strong knowledge of compensation, organizational design, performance management, employee relations, and employment compliance.
• Experience supporting multiple locations and rapidly growing organizations preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of California employment law strongly preferred; experience with Nevada employment practices is a plus.
• Experience developing job architecture, compensation structures, policies, procedures, and HR controls.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use HR data and metrics to drive decisions.
• SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or comparable professional certification preferred.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will be a confident, pragmatic HR leader who combines strong business judgment with the ability to execute.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is comfortable challenging the status quo and driving change.
• Can quickly identify what is working, what is not, and what needs to change.
• Makes decisions and drives implementation rather than allowing issues to remain unresolved.
• Establishes clear accountability and holds people to appropriate standards.
• Can operate effectively in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment without excessive bureaucracy.
• Understands manufacturing operations and recognizes that HR must support the business rather than operate separately from it.
• Builds credibility with senior leadership while remaining accessible and responsive to employees.
• Balances strategic thinking with a willingness to personally handle important issues.
• Communicates directly, professionally, and effectively at all levels of the organization.

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this position is: $165,000 – $230,000 annually

Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, location, and overall fit for the role.

Pay Range

$165,000 - $230,000 USD

ITAR/EAR Compliance: Due to the nature of the work performed at Rocket EMS, this position may require access to export‑controlled technical data or technology. The successful candidate must be eligible to access such information under applicable U.S. export‑control laws or be eligible for any required government authorization.

Rocket EMS will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act. Candidates are not required to disclose criminal history or participate in a background check unless and until a conditional offer of employment has been made. Any final offer of employment may be conditioned on completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law.
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