Human Resources Director

Generac Power Systems Inc; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Generac Power Systems Inc. is seeking a Director of Human Resources to operationalize HR strategy, deliver high-quality HR services, and partner with leaders to build a high-performing culture.

The role leads a HR team across regions/functions, guiding employee relations, leadership development, talent acquisition, performance management and workforce planning. Requires a Bachelor's degree; 8+ years HR experience with 5+ in leadership, including union experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master's degree is preferred for advanced leadership roles.
• Extensive HR operations experience with employee relations and talent processes.
• Knowledge of compensation cycles, performance management, and talent reviews.
• Experience with HRIS and analytics tools.
• Ability to coach leaders and drive organizational change.
• Experience in manufacturing or union environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR business partners across functions, locations, or plants.
• Provide strategic HR consultation on organizational effectiveness and workforce planning.
• Partner with leaders to improve engagement, retention and productivity.
• Develop leadership capability through coaching and development programs.
• Lead HR initiatives including compensation cycles, talent reviews, and succession planning.
• Manage employee and labor relations, including union site activities and contract administration.
• Support M&A activities, onboarding, culture integration and organizational alignment.
• Coach and develop staff, set performance expectations, and administer disciplinary actions.

Skills

Leadership

Employee relations

Performance management

Talent planning

Change management

Analytics

Coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business

Master's degree preferred

Tools

HRIS systems

AI-enabled HR tools

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 Requirements

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.

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?

As one of the leaders and largest suppliers of power generation equipment and technology, the work we do touches millions of lives. Employees at Generac are encouraged to be innovative and are valued as an integral part of our global team. Our challenging goals develop knowledgeable employees dedicated to helping continue Generac’s success. Generac provides individuals the opportunity to work in a fast-paced agile work environment where their work makes a difference in people’s lives and their own.