Human Resources Generalist

Confidential; Salem (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a hands-on Human Resources Generalist to support its Salem, Ohio manufacturing operation. This on-site role focuses on employee relations, payroll/timekeeping, onboarding, compliance, and general HR administration within a fast-paced, high-volume, unionized environment.

The position emphasizes independent ownership, floor-level presence, and collaboration with plant leadership to drive HR processes, staff onboarding, and workforce stability.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years HR experience beyond entry level.
• Strong knowledge of HR practices, employment law, compliance, and employee relations.
• Ability to independently manage day-to-day HR responsibilities.
• Experience with payroll, timekeeping, and employee records.
• Experience in manufacturing or unionized environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary HR resource for frontline employees and plant leadership.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout the manufacturing operation and address HR issues.
• Support employee relations, performance, attendance, and workforce matters.
• Review timecards for accuracy and coordinate with payroll to ensure timely processing.
• Assist with onboarding and pre-employment activities for new hires.
• Support HR documentation, recordkeeping, and compliance across the operation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Independent HR ownership

Payroll/timekeeping

Multi-priority management

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Timekeeping systems

Job description

A well-established North American manufacturing organization is conducting a confidential search for a Human Resources Generalist to support its manufacturing operation in Salem, Ohio.

This is a hands-on, onsite HR position supporting a fast-paced, high-volume, unionized manufacturing environment. The HR Generalist will serve as a visible and accessible HR resource for employees and plant leadership while taking ownership of critical day-to-day HR processes.

The position is best suited for an experienced HR professional who is comfortable working independently, spending time on the production floor, addressing employee issues directly, and balancing employee relations, payroll/timekeeping, onboarding, compliance, and operational priorities.

What You’ll Do

Employee Relations & Plant Support

• Serve as a primary HR resource for frontline employees and plant leadership.
• Maintain a consistent and visible presence throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Address employee questions, workplace concerns, and day-to-day HR issues.
• Partner with supervisors and managers on employee relations, performance, attendance, and workforce matters.
• Provide practical HR guidance while determining when issues require additional escalation.
• Support the consistent application of company policies, procedures, and employment practices.
• Review employee timecards and timekeeping information for accuracy.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies before they affect employees or payroll processing.
• Partner with leadership and payroll resources to ensure accurate and timely processing.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation.
• Handle sensitive employee and payroll information with appropriate confidentiality.
• Help strengthen HR processes and reduce recurring administrative errors.
• Support ongoing hiring needs within a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Coordinate pre-employment and onboarding activities for new employees.
• Help ensure new hires receive an organized and consistent introduction to the facility.
• Partner with plant leadership to address staffing needs and workforce priorities.
• Support efforts to improve new-hire integration and retention.

Compliance & Workforce Support

• Apply working knowledge of employment law, HR compliance, and employee relations practices.
• Support HR documentation and recordkeeping requirements.
• Assist with workplace investigations and employee relations matters as appropriate.
• Help maintain consistent HR practices across the operation.
• Support managers with HR guidance, coaching, and problem-solving.

What Success Looks Like

During the first 6–12 months, the successful HR Generalist will be expected to:

• Establish credibility with both frontline employees and plant leadership.
• Maintain accurate payroll and timekeeping processes with minimal employee-impacting errors.
• Take ownership of routine and intermediate HR matters and reduce unnecessary escalation.
• Improve the consistency and effectiveness of new-hire onboarding.
• Provide managers with timely, practical HR guidance.Build a strong HR presence on the production floor.
• Contribute to improved employee communication, engagement, and workforce stability.

These expectations align directly with the approved Salem role specification, which emphasizes payroll accuracy, independent HR ownership, onboarding effectiveness, manager support, employee engagement, and turnover stabilization.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of HR experience beyond an entry-level capacity.
• Strong working knowledge of HR practices, employment law, compliance, and employee relations.
• Strong attention to detail, particularly when working with payroll, timekeeping, employee records, and other accuracy-sensitive processes.
• Ability to independently manage day-to-day HR responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving operational environment.Comfort working directly with both frontline employees and leadership.

Preferred Background

• Previous HR experience within manufacturing, distribution, or another high-volume operational environment.
• Experience supporting an hourly workforce.
• Previous exposure to a unionized workforce.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and timekeeping systems.
• Demonstrated success working in an employee-facing, floor-based HR position.

This is a fully onsite position in Salem, Ohio.

The HR Generalist will work within an active manufacturing environment where priorities can shift quickly and employees and supervisors require timely HR support. The position requires regular interaction with the production workforce rather than operating primarily from an office.

Candidates should be comfortable with:

• A fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing operation.
• Supporting a unionized workforce.
• Frequent employee and supervisor interaction.
• Managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Maintaining accuracy while working with time-sensitive information
• Spending meaningful time on the manufacturing floor.
• Working independently and taking ownership of issues through resolution.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers the opportunity to take meaningful ownership of HR operations at the plant level. Rather than serving solely in an administrative capacity, the HR Generalist will have direct visibility into the operation and the ability to influence employee experience, manager effectiveness, onboarding, HR process consistency, and overall workforce stability.

For an HR professional who prefers being close to the operation and directly engaged with employees and leaders, this is an opportunity to make a measurable impact.

Confidential Search

This search is being conducted confidentially. The organization's identity and additional details regarding the facility will be shared with qualified candidates at the appropriate stage of the recruiting process.

Candidates are asked to respect the confidential nature of the search.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.