Human Resources (HR) Director, bilingual Korean

Cesna Recruitment; City of Troy (NY); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cesna Recruitment in the United States seeks an experienced HR Director to lead the HR function across multiple locations. You will shape strategy, optimize structures, and drive performance, compensation, and compliance within a manufacturing/logistics context.

The role partners with executives to deliver measurable workforce improvements, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and local regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading HR in the United States.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal and state employment laws.
• Experience with organizational design and workforce planning.
• Experience in manufacturing, logistics, or supply chain contexts is preferred.
• Ability to partner with executives and influence strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead organizational development, workforce planning, and headcount management.
• Design performance management and compensation frameworks.
• Oversee HR operations compliant with U.S. laws across locations.
• Partner with executives to translate business goals into HR initiatives.

Skills

HR leadership

Organizational design

Workforce planning

KPI design

Compliance knowledge

Cross-cultural management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or related field

BS / MS in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related discipline

Job description

[Job Summary]

We are seeking an experienced HR Director to lead and strengthen the company's human resources function in the United States. The ideal candidate will bring extensive U.S. HR management experience, preferably within manufacturing, logistics, industrial products, or supply chain-related industries.

This individual will work closely with executive leadership to develop and implement HR strategies, optimize organizational structures, establish effective performance management and compensation systems, and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state employment laws.

The successful candidate will be both a strategic HR leader and a hands-on problem solver who can translate business objectives into practical HR initiatives, drive organizational improvements, and build a high-performing workforce across multiple locations.

Experience working in a global organization, particularly one with both U.S. employees and Korean expatriates, is highly desirable. However, Korean language proficiency is not required.

Job Description

1. HR Strategy and Organizational Development

Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with the company's business objectives and long-term growth plans.

Partner with executive leadership to evaluate organizational structures, workforce capabilities, and staffing requirements.

Lead organizational design, workforce planning, headcount management, and talent allocation initiatives.

Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, and practices that support operational efficiency and organizational effectiveness.

Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, strengthen organizational performance, and support business growth.

2. Performance Management and Compensation

Design, implement, and continuously improve performance management systems, including individual KPIs, performance evaluations, and goal-setting processes.

Establish and administer compensation structures, salary review processes, promotion criteria, and incentive programs.

Partner with management to ensure consistent and objective performance evaluations across departments and locations.

Develop HR frameworks that support employee accountability, talent development, retention, and performance-based rewards.

Analyze compensation and performance data to support informed management decisions.

3. U.S. HR Operations and Employment Compliance

Oversee HR operations in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.

Provide guidance on employee relations, workplace policies, disciplinary matters, and conflict resolution.

Establish and maintain consistent HR policies and practices across multiple U.S. locations.

Identify employment-related risks and implement appropriate policies, procedures, and preventive measures.

Partner with legal counsel and external HR specialists, as necessary, to address complex employment matters and regulatory requirements.

4. Leadership and Executive Partnership

Serve as a strategic HR business partner to the executive team, providing recommendations on workforce strategy, organizational effectiveness, and employee-related matters.

Lead the HR function and establish clear priorities, processes, and performance expectations.

Advise managers on leadership effectiveness, employee performance, team development, and organizational challenges.

Drive the implementation of HR initiatives and ensure that strategic plans translate into measurable business improvements.

Use HR metrics and workforce data to evaluate organizational effectiveness and support executive decision-making.

5. Global Workforce and Cross-Cultural Management

Support effective HR management in a global business environment involving U.S. employees and Korean expatriates.

Align local HR practices with corporate policies while ensuring compliance with U.S. employment requirements.

Facilitate communication and collaboration between U.S.-based teams and overseas headquarters.

Help establish consistent management practices, performance expectations, and organizational standards across different cultural and business environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, or a related field.
• Significant experience in HR management or HR leadership within the United States.
• Previous HR experience in manufacturing, logistics, industrial products, supply chain, or a related operational industry is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in organizational design, workforce planning, headcount management, and HR policy development.
• Proven ability to design, implement, or manage performance management systems, including KPIs, performance evaluations, promotion processes, and compensation programs.
• Strong knowledge of applicable U.S. federal and state employment laws, employee relations, and HR compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting HR operations across multiple U.S. locations.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work directly with executive management.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to develop HR strategies and execute initiatives that produce measurable organizational improvements.

• Experience in a multinational company or a global organization with overseas headquarters.
• Experience managing HR operations involving both U.S. employees and Korean expatriates.
• Experience supporting manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, or other operationally complex business environments.
• Professional HR certification, such as SHRM‑SCP, SPHR, SHRM‑CP, or PHR.
• BS / MS degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related discipline.