Human Resources Manager

VPI; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

VARC, Inc. is seeking a Human Resources Manager to lead the HR team, manage benefits, compliance, leave management, HR systems, and employee records. Reporting to the VP of HR, this role drives process improvements and serves as a tactical program owner for HR operations.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering high-quality HR services to employees, leaders, and stakeholders across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or related field.
• 3+ years of HR experience with benefits administration, leave management, compliance, HRIS, and HR operations.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws (FMLA, ADA, wage/hour, OSHA, unemployment).

Responsibilities

• Oversee HR administration across the employee lifecycle and onboarding.
• Administer benefits programs and COBRA/ACA compliance.
• Lead HR projects, define scope, coordinate timelines, and drive process improvements.
• Serve as HRIS, Benefit Systems, and LMS administrator ensuring data integrity.

Skills

HR leadership

Project management

HRIS administration

Benefits administration

Compliance

Employee relations

Data privacy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / related field

Tools

HRIS

Benefit Systems

LMS

MS Office

Job description

VARC, Inc., is seeking aHuman Resources Manager to lead the day-to-day administration of our HR team in serving as a tactical HR program owner for HR operations. Reporting to the Vice President of Human Resources, this role plays a key part in delivering high-quality HR services by managing the HR team, overseeing benefits administration, compliance, leave management, HR systems, employee records, and HR process improvement initiatives.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about creating efficient processes while providing outstanding support to employees, leaders, and stakeholders throughout the organization.

What to Expect:

• Manage HR administration of activities throughout the employee lifecycle, including talent acquisition, onboarding, position changes, promotions, offboarding, course assignment, and content management within learning management systems, and all other employment-related activities.
• Administer and manage all employee benefits programs, including health, dental, vision, and auxiliary benefits. This includes facilitating benefits-related training and education for employees, managing benefit audits and required compliance reporting, overseeing COBRA administration to ensure regulatory compliance, handling ACA reporting and compliance monitoring, and collaborating with insurance brokers and vendors to resolve benefit questions.
• Partner with the VP of HR and other organizational leaders to manage and execute HR-related projects and initiatives, including defining project scope, coordinating timelines and deliverables, identifying process improvement opportunities, implementing operational changes, and ensuring consistent follow-through from planning through completion.
• Serve as primary administrator for HRIS, Benefit Systems, and LMS. This includes managing user access and system configurations, ensuring data integrity across HR systems, processing personnel transactions, and maintaining electronic personnel records and medical records for all employees.
• Manage Leave of Absence process, including administration of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and extended personal leaves of absence by ensuring proper communication with staff and internal stakeholders, processing of correct paperwork, and ensuring compliance with federal and state guidelines.
• Maintain compliance expectations and reporting standards across all HR functions, including state and federal employment laws, EEOC reporting requirements, 401(k) and retirement audits, workers' compensation audits, OSHA reporting, unemployment insurance audits, and any other relevant compliance requirements.
• Administer the Workers’ Compensation program; coordinating timely reporting and required documentation; managing claims from initial report through closure (including communication with the carrier/TPA, providers, and internal stakeholders); supporting incident investigation, ensuring OSHA recordkeeping and reporting requirements are completed accurately and on time; and maintaining open, confidential communication with leaders and staff to support employee care, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Administer 401(k) program, including enrollment, changes, and distributions.
• Review, approve, and process HR-related invoices for payment.
• Assist with employee engagement initiatives such as managing employee anniversaries and recognition programs, partnering with the marketing department to celebrate employee milestones, assisting with employee engagement surveys, and initiatives that would support creating a great experience for employees throughout their employment lifecycle.
• Update the employee Intranet with HR and organizational announcements, resources, documents, procedures, and policies.
• Provide day-to-day management of HR administrative support, including training and onboarding HR support staff, monitoring work quality and timeliness, providing coaching and guidance, and ensuring consistent, accurate execution of HR administrative processes.
• Demonstrate and uphold VARC’s cultural values of Respect, Innovation, Service, and Excellence.
• May serve as a representative on assigned committees or focus groups.
• Accepts other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field preferred; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Minimum of three years of progressively Human Resources experience, preferably with exposure to benefits administration, leave management, HR compliance, HRIS administration, employee lifecycle processes, and HR operations.
• Strong working knowledge of employment-related laws, regulations, and compliance requirements, including FMLA, ADA, wage and hour requirements, benefits compliance, workers’ compensation, OSHA reporting, unemployment, and recordkeeping expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, coordinate timelines, organize competing priorities, follow through on deliverables, and support successful execution of HR initiatives from planning through completion.
• Strong process improvement mindset with the ability to evaluate current workflows, identify opportunities for efficiency, recommend practical solutions, and implement consistent, sustainable HR processes.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to build trust, maintain confidentiality, provide clear guidance, and communicate effectively with employees, supervisors, leaders, vendors, and external partners.
• Strong time management, organization, attention to detail, and follow-up skills, with the ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines.
• Ability to use HR systems and Microsoft Office applications effectively, including maintaining accurate employee records, generating reports, supporting system updates, and using technology to improve HR processes and service delivery.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, professionalism, and a high level of integrity.
• Ability to travel on an occasional basis throughout the state of Wisconsin, typically one to two nights per trip every other month, based on organizational and operational needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.