Human Resource Director

Sotalent; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotalent is seeking an experienced HR leader to provide strategic and operational support within a high-volume distribution or manufacturing environment. You will partner with leaders to address complex people matters, strengthen employee engagement, manage organizational risk, and build a workforce capable of meeting operational demands.

The role requires sound judgment, strong knowledge of employment practices, and the ability to handle sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive HR leadership or management experience.
• Experience supporting employees and leaders in manufacturing, distribution, logistics, or similar operational environments.
• Experience advising senior operational leaders and managing sensitive or confidential employee situations.
• Professional HR certification is advantageous (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP).

Responsibilities

• Partner with managers to resolve workplace concerns and provide guidance on HR policies and employment practices.
• Advise leadership on employee relations matters, including performance concerns, disciplinary actions, workplace disputes, and separations.
• Lead employee engagement activities and analyze survey results to drive improvements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment requirements and EEOC reporting.
• Develop staffing strategies and coordinate recruitment with HR or recruiting teams.
• Support Health, Safety and Environmental initiatives and promote safe workplace practices.
• Provide day-to-day direction and escalation support to the site HR team.
• Identify opportunities to improve local HR processes and service delivery.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Policy interpretation

Coaching & development

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related discipline

Job description

We are seeking an experienced HR professional to provide strategic and operational support to leaders and employees within a high-volume distribution or manufacturing environment.

This position serves as a trusted advisor on employee relations, workforce planning, compliance, organizational effectiveness, and workplace practices. The successful candidate will help leaders address complex people matters, strengthen employee engagement, manage organizational risk, and build a workforce capable of meeting operational demands.

The role requires sound judgment, strong knowledge of employment practices, and the ability to handle sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Employee Relations & HR Advisory

• Partner with managers and employees to resolve workplace concerns and provide practical guidance on HR policies, procedures, and employment practices.
• Advise leadership on employee relations matters, including performance concerns, disciplinary actions, workplace disputes, leave situations, harassment allegations, and employment separations.
• Help managers apply company policies consistently while balancing business requirements with employee needs and legal obligations.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex or sensitive personnel issues and recommend appropriate courses of action.
• Provide ongoing coaching and problem-solving support to local HR personnel.

Employee Engagement

• Lead local activities associated with the organization's employee feedback and engagement survey program.
• Evaluate survey results and identify recurring themes, strengths, and areas requiring improvement.
• Present findings and emerging trends to leadership and collaborate on initiatives designed to improve employee experience and organizational effectiveness.
• Promote a workplace culture centered on accountability, communication, respect, and continuous improvement.

Employment Compliance

• Monitor HR practices to ensure alignment with applicable federal, state, and local employment requirements.
• Interpret employment legislation and company policies and translate requirements into practical guidance for managers and HR teams.
• Maintain required affirmative action documentation and programs where applicable.
• Coordinate Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) reporting and support compliance with applicable EEOC requirements.
• Conduct fact-finding investigations involving employee complaints and employment-related matters.
• Prepare documentation and responses associated with regulatory inquiries, EEOC matters, unemployment claims, and similar proceedings.

Workforce Planning & Talent

• Work with operational leaders to evaluate workforce requirements and develop staffing strategies that support current and projected business needs.
• Coordinate recruitment activities with centralized HR or recruiting teams where applicable.
• Help ensure hiring plans deliver qualified, capable, and diverse talent aligned with operational requirements.
• Monitor staffing levels and workforce trends to identify potential retention or turnover risks.
• Partner with leadership to address staffing challenges before they negatively affect productivity or service levels.

Safety & Workplace Practices

• Support initiatives that strengthen employee awareness, accountability, and prevention-focused workplace practices.
• Partner with leadership on Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) initiatives and workforce programs.
• Contribute to strategies designed to reduce workplace accidents, injuries, and other operational incidents.
• Encourage consistent adherence to safety expectations and reinforce a culture in which employees and leaders take ownership of workplace safety.
• Provide day-to-day direction, coaching, and support to HR team members at the site.
• Help HR professionals navigate complex employee issues and determine appropriate escalation paths.
• Identify opportunities to improve local HR processes, service delivery, and consistency.
• Serve as a liaison between site leadership, HR teams, and broader organizational resources.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline is required.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive HR leadership or management experience, preferably 10 or more years.
• Experience supporting employees and leaders in manufacturing, distribution, logistics, or similarly operational environments is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience handling employee relations, employment compliance, workforce planning, investigations, and organizational development matters.
• Experience advising senior operational leaders and managing sensitive or confidential employee situations.

Preferred Credentials

Professional HR certification is advantageous, including one or more of the following:

• PHR or SPHR through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI)
• SHRM-CP
• SHRM-SCP

Workplace & Physical Requirements

The organization is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Accommodations will be considered as necessary to enable employees to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the position.