Human Resources Director - Manufacturing

Direct Recruiters, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Direct Recruiters, Inc. is guiding an established industrial organization to hire a Human Resources Director who will drive people strategy and act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.

Reporting to the President, this role blends strategic planning with hands-on execution and requires effective engagement with manufacturing and operations. The incumbent will lead workforce planning, talent development and HR compliance while operating as the HR department of one.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of well-rounded HR experience.
• Ability to contribute confidently in strategic leadership conversations.
• A hands-on approach and comfort operating as an HR department of one.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience supporting a growing organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration or a related field.
• SHRM or PHR certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Workforce planning, recruiting and retention.
• Employee relations, investigations and disciplinary matters.
• Compensation, benefits and leave administration.
• Performance management, training and employee development.
• HR policies, compliance and employment practices.
• HR reporting, metrics and organizational planning.
• Outside vendors supporting HR-related initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Hands-on HR

Employment law knowledge

Employee relations

HR policy and compliance

HR reporting and analytics

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Job description

We are partnered with an established, growing industrial organization to find their next Human Resources Director. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced HR leader who wants to influence the business.

Reporting directly to the President, this person will serve as the company’s HR leader and trusted advisor to senior leadership. The position offers a genuine mix of strategic planning and hands‑on execution. You’ll help shape the company’s people strategy while remaining closely involved in its everyday HR needs.

The opportunity:

• Workforce planning, recruiting and retention
• Employee relations, investigations and disciplinary matters
• Compensation, benefits and leave administration
• Performance management, training and employee development
• HR policies, compliance and employment practices
• HR reporting, metrics and organizational planning
• Outside vendors supporting HR‑related initiatives

Who you are:

• Approximately 5-10 years of well-rounded HR experience
• The ability to contribute confidently in strategic leadership conversations
• A hands‑on approach-you must be comfortable operating as an HR “department of one”
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices
• Experience supporting a growing organization
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration or a related field
• SHRM or PHR certification preferred

Manufacturing, packaging or industrial experience required, as is regular in‑office presence.