HR Manager

Vaco by Highspring; Elizabethtown (KY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is seeking an HR Manager for our Kentucky manufacturing facility in Elizabethtown. The role partners with leadership to execute full HR duties and drive a positive culture while ensuring compliance.

You will manage recruitment, onboarding, performance, compensation, benefits, training, safety collaboration, and workforce planning for both hourly and salaried staff. The ideal candidate has 5+ years HR leadership in manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field required; Master's preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience in manufacturing.
• Experience leading HR functions for hourly and salaried staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead all HR operations for a manufacturing facility and act as a strategic partner to leadership.
• Oversee employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and compensation.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and OSHA requirements.
• Partner with operations to drive safety, training, and workforce planning.

Skills

Strategic HR partnership

Employee relations

Talent management & coaching

HR policy & compliance

Communication & interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The Human Resources Manager is responsible for leading and executing all human resources functions for a manufacturing facility. This role serves as a strategic business partner to leadership while managing day-to-day HR operations, including employee relations, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation, benefits administration, compliance, training, and workforce planning. The HR Manager promotes a positive workplace culture while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Workforce Management

• Serve as the primary HR resource for managers and employees.
• Investigate and resolve employee relations issues, complaints, and workplace concerns.
• Coach managers on performance management, disciplinary actions, and employee development.
• Foster a positive, productive, and inclusive workplace culture.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and retention strategies.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Manage the full-cycle recruitment process for hourly and salaried positions.
• Partner with hiring managers to identify staffing needs and develop talent pipelines.
• Coordinate interviews, candidate selection, and offer processes.
• Lead new hire orientation and onboarding programs.
• Develop strategies to attract, retain, and develop top talent.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Maintain compliance with EEOC, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, Workers' Compensation, and other applicable regulations.
• Manage HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook updates.
• Conduct internal audits and maintain accurate employee records.
• Partner with leadership on workplace investigations and corrective actions.

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Support

• Administer employee benefit programs and coordinate annual open enrollment activities.
• Assist with compensation planning, market reviews, and salary recommendations.
• Collaborate with payroll to ensure accurate employee data and timely payroll processing.
• Address employee questions regarding benefits, compensation, and HR policies.

Training & Development

• Identify training needs and coordinate employee development programs.
• Support leadership development and succession planning initiatives.
• Monitor training compliance and maintain required certifications.
• Facilitate HR-related training sessions including harassment prevention, safety, and workplace policies.

Safety & Manufacturing Support

• Partner with operations leadership to promote a strong safety culture.
• Support workers' compensation administration and return-to-work programs.
• Participate in safety committee meetings and compliance initiatives.
• Assist with workforce planning to support production goals and operational demands.

HR Reporting & Metrics

• Track and analyze key HR metrics including turnover, retention, absenteeism, and recruiting activity.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for leadership.
• Identify trends and implement solutions to improve workforce effectiveness.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• 3+ years of HR leadership or management experience preferred.
• Manufacturing, industrial, distribution, or plant environment experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting both hourly and salaried employee populations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.
• Experience with employee relations investigations and conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of compensation, benefits, payroll, and HRIS systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and coaching skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS platforms.

Preferred Certifications

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP
• PHR or SPHR

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] .

Representation Notice

Workplace discrimination is illegal.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

The salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).

the individual's skill sets, experience and training;

licensure and certification requirements;

office location and other geographic considerations; and

other business and organizational needs.