Human Resources Manager

Confidential; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead employee and labor relations across multiple sites in a fast-paced, regulated environment. The role partners with operational leadership to navigate investigations, policy interpretations, and employment law compliance.

The ideal candidate will bring 7+ years of HR experience, strong judgment, emotional intelligence, and the ability to influence leaders while balancing risk and employee experience in a high-volume setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field.
• 7+ years HR experience with focus on employee and workplace investigations.
• Experience supporting large, complex, high-volume operations.
• Strong labor relations background; unionized environments preferred.
• Extensive workplace investigations experience.
• Knowledge of California employment law and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR partner for complex employee relations across locations.
• Conduct and manage workplace investigations with confidentiality.
• Interview employees, managers, witnesses; prepare summaries and findings.
• Advise leaders on corrective actions minimizing risk.
• Provide day-to-day labor relations guidance to leaders.
• Support union-related matters and grievances.

Skills

Employee relations

Workplace investigations

Labor relations

Policy interpretation

Communication skills

Emotional intelligence

Multisite administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Job description

We are conducting a confidential search for an experienced HR Manager to support a complex, multi-site operational environment. This role serves as the primary employee and labor relations partner to operational leadership, providing expert guidance in a fast-paced, highly regulated, and often unionized workforce.

The ideal candidate thrives in challenging environments and possesses exceptional judgment, emotional intelligence, resilience, and interpersonal effectiveness. Success in this role requires the ability to professionally navigate sensitive employee matters, conduct thorough investigations, influence operational leaders, and manage competing priorities in a high-volume setting.

This is a highly visible, hands-on position requiring a strong leadership presence and deep expertise in employee relations, labor relations, workplace investigations, and employment law compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations

• Serve as the lead HR partner for complex employee relations matters across multiple operational locations.
• Conduct and manage workplace investigations involving policy violations, employee complaints, misconduct allegations, performance concerns, and other sensitive matters.
• Interview employees, managers, and witnesses while maintaining confidentiality, objectivity, and procedural integrity.
• Prepare comprehensive investigative summaries, findings, recommendations, and supporting documentation.
• Partner with leaders to implement appropriate corrective actions while minimizing organizational risk.
• Respond effectively to escalated employee concerns in a high-volume environment requiring sound judgment and timely resolution.

Labor Relations

• Provide day-to-day labor relations guidance and consultation to operational leaders.
• Support union-related matters including grievances, investigations, disciplinary actions, fact-finding activities, and response preparation.
• Partner with leadership to ensure consistent interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements.
• Identify labor relations risks and recommend practical solutions that support operational objectives while maintaining positive employee relations.
• Build credibility and productive working relationships with both management and represented employees.
• Act as a trusted advisor to operational leaders navigating complex employee and labor relations challenges.
• Coach managers on effective documentation, performance conversations, corrective action processes, and employee communications.
• Provide guidance on policy interpretation, employment practices, and workplace conduct issues.
• Support organizational change initiatives and workforce matters with a focus on compliance, consistency, and employee experience.
• Maintain detailed and accurate case documentation while managing multiple priorities with urgency and professionalism.

Compliance & Employment Law

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Provide expert guidance regarding California employment laws, labor regulations, wage and hour requirements, leave administration, workplace policies, and best practices.
• Remain informed of evolving legal requirements and emerging employee relations trends.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and legal resources on complex or high-risk employee matters.
• Promote consistent application of company policies, procedures, and employment practices across all locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive Human Resources experience with a significant focus on employee relations and workplace investigations.
• Demonstrated experience supporting large, complex, high-volume operational environments.
• Strong labor relations background with experience supporting unionized workforces preferred.
• Extensive experience conducting workplace investigations and managing sensitive employee matters.
• Strong knowledge of California employment law, labor regulations, wage and hour practices, and compliance requirements.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to create thorough, well-supported documentation.
• Proven ability to influence leaders, manage conflict, and build credibility across all levels of an organization.
• High emotional intelligence, professional maturity, and ability to remain calm and effective in difficult situations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple complex cases simultaneously while meeting deadlines.

Physical Working Conditions

• Position is primarily onsite within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Requires extended periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, sensitive employee matters, and tight deadlines in a high-volume environment.
• Occasional lifting of light office materials (up to 15 lbs.) may be required.
• Must be comfortable working in distribution, logistics, manufacturing, and operational environments as business needs require.
• Must be willing to travel regionally to support multiple operational locations and business needs. Travel is estimated at approximately 30% and may vary based on investigations, labor relations matters, operational priorities, and site support requirements.
• Ability to maintain flexibility in schedule to support employee and labor relations issues across multiple locations and shifts when necessary.