HR Manager

Vaco; Fairfield (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco is seeking an experienced HR Manager for manufacturing operations to lead HR activities across our facilities. The role requires hands-on operational HR leadership, strong collaboration with manufacturing leadership, and consistent support across sites.

The ideal candidate brings manufacturing HR expertise, full-cycle payroll, HRIS administration, and a track record in employee relations, coaching, and compliance in a fast-paced production environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Experience owning full-cycle payroll and administering HRIS/payroll systems.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR partner to employees, supervisors, and operational leadership.
• Manage complex employee relations matters, investigations, corrective actions, attendance issues, and conflict resolution.
• Coach supervisors/managers on performance management, documentation, and employment practices.
• Own full-cycle payroll, including timekeeping, payroll review, audits, employee changes, and coordination with Finance.
• Administer HRIS and payroll systems, ensuring accurate records and reporting.
• Lead recruiting and hiring efforts for hourly, salaried, and supervisory manufacturing positions.
• Oversee onboarding, orientation, employee documentation, and training initiatives.
• Support benefits administration and employee programs.
• Ensure compliance with federal and Pennsylvania employment regulations (FMLA, ADA, FLSA, workers' comp, unemployment).

Skills

HR Management

Employee Relations

Payroll

HRIS Administration

Staff Recruiting

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

HRIS/payroll platforms

Microsoft Office

Job description

HR Manager – Manufacturing Operations

Location: Quakertown, PA Area

Salary: $110,000–$120,000

Schedule: Full-Time | Onsite

Reports To: President

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on HR Manager to lead HR operations supporting a growing manufacturing organization. This role requires a strong operational HR leader who can independently manage day-to-day HR activities, partner closely with manufacturing leadership, and provide consistent support across multiple facilities.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in manufacturing HR, full-cycle payroll, HRIS administration, complex employee relations, supervisor coaching, and compliance, along with the confidence to make independent decisions in a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR partner to employees, supervisors, and operational leadership.


• Manage complex employee relations matters, investigations, corrective actions, attendance issues, and conflict resolution.


• Coach supervisors and managers on performance management, documentation, employee relations, and employment practices.


• Own full-cycle payroll, including timekeeping, payroll review, audits, employee changes, and coordination with Finance.


• Administer and maintain HRIS and payroll systems, ensuring accurate employee records and reporting.


• Lead recruiting and hiring efforts for hourly, salaried, and supervisory manufacturing positions.


• Oversee onboarding, orientation, employee documentation, and training initiatives.


• Support benefits administration and employee programs.


• Ensure compliance with federal and Pennsylvania employment regulations, including FMLA, ADA, FLSA, workers' compensation, and unemployment requirements.


• Partner with operations leadership on workforce planning, staffing needs, retention, and employee engagement.


• Identify and implement improvements to HR processes, policies, and procedures.


• Maintain a visible HR presence within manufacturing operations and build strong relationships across the workforce.


• Support organizational initiatives and change management as the company continues to grow.

Qualifications

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


• 5+ years of progressive HR experience within a manufacturing or industrial environment.


• Strong employee relations and investigation experience.


• Proven experience owning full-cycle payroll and administering HRIS/payroll systems.


• Experience supporting hourly, high-volume manufacturing workforces.


• Strong understanding of employment laws and HR compliance.


• Demonstrated experience coaching supervisors and managers.


• Ability to make sound, independent decisions and effectively manage sensitive employee matters.


• Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.


• Experience supporting multiple facilities or shifts preferred.


• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and HRIS/payroll platforms.

Ideal Background

The strongest candidates will have experience in:

• Manufacturing or industrial operations


• Full-cycle payroll ownership


• Complex employee relations


• HRIS administration


• Supervisor coaching and performance management


• High-volume/hourly workforce recruiting


• Temporary staffing coordination


• Multi-shift or multi-site HR support


• HR compliance and risk management


• Process improvement and organizational change

What Success Looks Like

Within the first year, the HR Manager will establish a strong operational HR presence, strengthen payroll and HRIS accuracy, improve consistency in employee relations and policy administration, enhance onboarding and recruiting processes, and build trusted partnerships with manufacturing leadership and supervisors.