Human Resources Director

generac; City of Pewaukee (WI); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Generac is seeking a Director of Human Resources to lead HR strategy, partner with leaders, and develop a high-performing culture across our Wisconsin sites. You will guide employee relations, leadership development, and workforce planning while managing a regional HR team.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in HR and 8 years of progressive HR experience, including 5 in a leadership capacity. Preferred are an advanced degree and FP&A or analytics exposure to drive people decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field required.
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including 5+ years in leadership.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations and union environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR business partners across functions, locations or plants.
• Provide strategic HR consultation on organizational effectiveness and workforce planning.
• Oversee employee relations, performance management and labor relations with unions.
• Drive leadership development, succession planning and talent reviews.
• Support M&A activities including onboarding and culture integration.

Skills

HR operations

employee relations

talent processes

compensation cycles

performance management

HRIS

change management

compliance

policy interpretation

coaching leaders

analytics

cross-functional collaboration

conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources

Master's degree in HR or MBA

Tools

HRIS systems

AI-powered HR analytics

Job description

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most.
For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future.
Ready to Power a Smarter World with us?

The Director, Human Resources is a key leader responsible for operationalizing HR strategy, ensuring high-quality HR services, and partnering with business leaders to develop a high-performing culture. This role manages a HR team that supports regional or functional business groups and provides guidance on employee relations, leadership development, talent acquisition, performance management, and workforce planning.

Major Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership

• Leads HR business partners supporting designed functions, locations, or plants
• Provides strategic HR consultation to leaders on organizational effectiveness, employee relations, performance management and workforce planning
• Partners with business leadership to improve engagement, retention and productivity

Talent Management & Leadership Development

• Develops and coaches leadership teams to strengthen managerial capability
• Leads or supports major HR initiatives including compensation cycles, talent reviews, and succession planning

Employee & Labor Relations

• Ensures HR policy compliance and risk mitigations
• Union sites - Manages labor relations, contract administration, grievance processes, and union partnership activities

Mergers , Acquisitions & Organizational Integration

• Supports M&A activities, including onboarding, culture integration, and organizational alignment

Leadership

• Selects, trains, coaches and develops staff, setting clear expectations to inspire, motivate, and engage the team
• Manages performance, recognizes achievement, provides feedback, and administers progressive discipline when necessary

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, related discipline, or equivalent work experience

Work Experience

• 8 years of progressive HR experience, including 5 years in a leadership role

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of HR operations, employee relations, and talent processes
• Understanding of compensation cycles, performance management, and talent reviews
• Working knowledge of HRIS systems
• Knowledge of change management practices at team or functional level
• Understanding of compliance, employment law, and policy interpretation
• Strong consultation skills with leaders
• Skilled in employee relations investigations and resolution
• Ability to coach leaders on performance, engagement, and team development
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Skilled in applying analytics to site- or function-level workforce trends
• Process management and HR program execution
• Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills
• Cross-functional collaboration

Preferred Job Requirement s

Education

• Master's degree in Human Resources, MBA, or related discipline

Certification / License

• SPHR or SHRM-SCP

Work Experience

• Experience supporting manufacturing operations
• Exposure to union environments
• Mergers and acquisitions experience, particularly integration support

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Working knowledge of HR systems and AI-enhanced HR tools
• Knowledge of change management practices at team or functional level
• Project management skills
• Understanding of compliance, employment law, and policy interpretation
• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI-enabled HR tools - such as talent analytics or automation platforms - to enhance workforce planning and operational efficiency

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.