Human Resources Business Partner

Critical Materials Group; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Critical Materials Group, based in Austin, TX, seeks an HR Business Partner to serve as the embedded People advisor for production, operations, and program teams. You will own employee relations, performance management, onboarding, and federal contracting/compliance across sites during rapid growth.

Partner with the Head of People and Talent Acquisition to scale headcount, shape organizational design, and align HR processes with ITAR and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of HR generalist or HR business partner experience in manufacturing/industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of employee relations, investigations, performance management, and applicable federal and Texas laws.
• Experience supporting rapid headcount growth or high-volume onboarding.
• Excellent judgment and discretion with confidential matters.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, early-stage environment with evolving processes.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across all levels.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary People point of contact for assigned departments and sites (production, operations, Ballinger, TX).
• Advise managers on performance management, coaching, disciplinary actions, and terminations in line with policy.
• Translate hiring plans into headcount, org structure, and role requirements with Talent Acquisition and Head of People.
• Build onboarding for new hires with Safety, Operations, and Security.
• Conduct 30/60/90 day check-ins to improve early retention during growth.
• Support RMSL integration including communication, policy alignment, and data migration to Rippling.
• Manage employee relations issues from intake through investigation and resolution.
• Guide managers through CMG's performance cycle, including goals and PIP processes.
• Support investigations and separations with Legal and Head of People, ensuring compliance.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

Texas employment law

Onboarding

HRIS

Communication

Tools

Rippling

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

HR Business Partner

Department

People/HR

Reports To

Head of People

Location

Austin, TX, with regular travel to CMG sites

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Type

Full Time

Direct Reports

None

Position Summary

The HR Business Partner is the embedded People advisor for CMG's production, operations, and program teams as the company scales. CMG is an early stage government contractor rebuilding domestic energetics manufacturing capacity, and plans to add more than 100 employees across its sites over the next 12 to 18 months. Partnering closely with the Head of People, the Talent Acquisition Manager, and site leaders, this role owns employee relations, performance management, new hire onboarding, and the employment compliance that comes with federal contracting and explosives manufacturing. The HR Business Partner also supports the people side of integrating CMG's newly acquired RMSL laboratory team.

Key Responsibilities

Business Partnership & Consultation

• Serve as the primary People point of contact for assigned departments and sites, including production, operations, and the Ballinger, TX facility.

• Advise managers on performance management, coaching, disciplinary action, and terminations, ensuring consistent and compliant application of policy.

• Partner with the Talent Acquisition Manager and Head of People to translate the hiring plan into headcount, organizational structure, and role requirements.

Scaling & Onboarding

• Build and run onboarding for new hire cohorts, coordinating with Safety, Operations, and Security so new hires complete safety training, required certifications, and eligibility steps before working with energetic materials.

• Run 30, 60, and 90 day check ins with new hires and their managers to improve early retention as headcount grows.

• Support the RMSL integration, including employee communication, policy alignment, benefits transition, and migration of employee records into Rippling.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Manage employee relations issues from intake through investigation, documentation, and resolution.

• Guide managers through CMG's performance management cycle, including goal setting, check ins, and performance improvement plans.

• Support workplace investigations and separations in partnership with Legal and the Head of People, including compliance with the Texas Payday Law and other applicable state requirements.

Government Contractor & Workplace Compliance

• Maintain compliance with federal contractor employment obligations, including affirmative action for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities (VEVRAA and Section 503), E-Verify, and Drug Free Workplace requirements.

• Partner with Safety and Operations on OSHA and explosives safety training records, and with Security on ATF employee possessor status, clearance status, and ITAR access as employees join, transfer, or separate.

• Ensure consistent application of CMG policy across sites in two states, including state specific wage, leave, and posting requirements.

Organizational Design & Workforce Planning

• Partner with department leaders on organizational design, leveling, and role scoping for new and growing functions, including Production, Programs, Growth, AI, Finance, and Legal.

• Support workforce planning, compensation cycles, and promotions using approved compensation bands and market data.

• Maintain accurate employee records and status changes in Rippling, partnering with People Operations on documentation such as the Employee Change of Status process.

Qualifications

Required

• 4+ years of HR generalist or HR business partner experience supporting a manufacturing, industrial, or technical workforce, including hourly production employees.

• Strong working knowledge of employee relations, investigations, performance management, and federal and Texas employment law.

• Experience supporting rapid headcount growth or high volume onboarding.

• Excellent judgment and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive employee matters.

• Comfortable operating in a fast paced, early stage environment with evolving processes.

• Strong communication and relationship building skills across all levels of the organization.

Preferred

• Experience supporting a defense, munitions, chemical manufacturing, or government contracting environment, including affirmative action plan support.

• Familiarity with ITAR, security clearance, or ATF explosives requirements as they affect employees.

• Familiarity with HRIS systems (Rippling experience a plus).

• PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent HR certification.

Total Rewards

This role is eligible for CMG's total rewards program, which includes a competitive base salary, equity, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a sign on bonus where applicable.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Based in Austin, TX, with regular travel to CMG sites, including the Ballinger, TX facility, to support managers and employees in person. Site visits may include manufacturing and laboratory areas where personal protective equipment and site safety protocols are required.

This job description reflects the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Critical Materials Group reserves the right to amend this description at any time.