HR Manager

Russell Stover Chocolates; Abilene (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell Stover Chocolates is seeking a Human Resources Manager for its Abilene, KS Manufacturing Facility. In this role, you will oversee HR operations and ensure compliance with legal standards while fostering a positive workplace culture.

Your responsibilities will include leading staffing initiatives, managing performance, and developing employee programs. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in HR, along with excellent communication skills and knowledge of labor laws.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience as an HR Generalist or similar role.
• Previous work experience managing people and/or leading teams.
• Ability to be on-site 5 days a week, Monday – Friday.

Responsibilities

• Fostering a positive and inclusive culture through coaching.
• Developing employee engagement programs.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong mediation and problem-solving skills

Knowledge of applicable labor laws

Project management experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or related field

Job description

At Russell Stover, not only do we love chocolate, but we love our jobs! Every day we go to work exhibiting our values of excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, responsibility, and collaboration. Working at Russell Stover you’ll be part of the leading manufacturer of boxed, seasonal, and sugar‑free chocolates. For over 100 years, Russell Stover Chocolates, Whitman’s, and Pangburn’s have been crafted with the finest ingredients to bring happiness to generations. Today, we produce over 55 million pounds of chocolate annually, and our legacy brands can be found in 13 company‑owned stores and over 9,000 wholesale accounts. Join our team and let’s continue making chocolate lovers happy!

A day in the life...

As a Human Resources Manager, you will provide full spectrum human resources support to our Abilene, KS Manufacturing Facility. In this role, you will ensure operations and deliverables meet or exceed plant objectives and follow organizational and operational strategies.

What You Will Be Doing...

• Fostering a results‑oriented, positive, and inclusive culture through effective coaching and implementation of processes and tools.
• Developing programs focused on employee engagement and positioning the company as an employer of choice in the community.
• Ensuring adherence to regulatory and legal compliance.
• Leading facility staffing, recruitment, performance management, succession planning, and employee development initiatives to strengthen retention and internal growth.
• Leading and developing an impactful Human Resources team, to provide support across all levels of the organization.
• Analyzing data to identify root causes, provide insights to leadership, and implement programs or action plans to address root causes.
• Adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure product quality and maintain compliance with food safety standards.
• Completing and following FSQA training and programs to comply with regulatory requirements, ensure consumer safety, and support the plant’s food safety and quality objectives.
• Promptly reporting and taking appropriate action on any observed or potential food safety hazards, process deviations, or non‑conformities by notifying the designated plant supervisor, in accordance with your role and responsibilities.
• Actively contributing to the continuous improvement of the company’s Food Safety Culture through engagement and actions aligned with your role.

Note: this job posting is not all inclusive; other duties may be assigned.

Do you have what it takes?

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, or related field – or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as an HR Generalist or similar role.
• Previous work experience managing people and/or leading teams.
• Knowledge of applicable labor laws and regulations.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to speak, read, and write English fluently, with or without an accommodation.
• Ability to be on‑site 5 days a week, Monday – Friday. Weekends and evenings as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a manufacturing plant or a distribution center environment.
• Project management experience.
• Ability to build and foster relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Strong mediation and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to address situations effectively.

Experience Life at Russell Stover Plants!

• Safety First: Your well‑being is our top priority, and we’ve got you covered with protective gear. On day one, you’ll dive into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training, and we’ll keep you on your toes with daily safety tips to ensure you’re always in the know.
• Surroundings: Get ready to work alongside a variety of equipment like automated packing machines, forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and those irresistible chocolate candy banks/steels – it’s a dynamic environment where every day brings something new!
• Active & Engaging Work: Whether you’re on your feet for extended periods, moving around, climbing ladders, or lifting up to 50 lbs, there’s never a dull moment. This is a place where you’ll stay on the move!
• Comfortable Climate: In most roles, you will be comfortable year‑round with our climate‑controlled environment.
• Appealing Smells: The air is filled with sweet aromas of chocolate, and by the time your shift ends, you might just leave smelling like chocolate!
• Dress to Impress (Food Safety Style): A simple yet important dress code ensures safety and hygiene, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to keep everything running smoothly.
• Allergens: You will be exposed to a variety of ingredients that may be considered food allergens.

At Russell Stover Chocolates, we don’t just accept difference – we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our community. Russell Stover Chocolates is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, military service, veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Employment by Russell Stover Chocolates is contingent upon I‑9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, education verification, and satisfactory reference and background checks.

Make Happy. Work Happy.