Human Resources Manager

Addison Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Bonus eligibility

401K

Paid time off

Job summary

Addison Group is seeking an HR Manager to serve as a strategic partner to Western Region leaders, guiding workforce planning, HR processes, and post-acquisition integration.

The role emphasizes hands-on execution, labor relations, and employee engagement for 400+ employees across multiple locations, with approximately 25% travel. A strong California employment law background is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years progressive HR experience including complex employee relations.
• Approximately 4–5 years HRBP or senior-level HR generalist in a strategic business partner role.
• Deep, hands-on knowledge of California employment law and applying it in an HRBP capacity.
• Strong employee relations and employee engagement experience.
• Experience supporting production, laboratory, manufacturing, or similarly complex environments.
• Experience supporting 400+ employees across multiple locations.
• Strong knowledge of multi-state employment practices and dispersed teams.
• Experience leading or supporting labor relations strategies.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25%.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted HR advisor to production and lab leaders across the Western Region.
• Partner with leaders on workforce planning, organizational structure, talent strategy, and organizational change.
• Support the integration and scaling of HR practices following an acquisition.
• Balance strategic HR partnership with hands-on day-to-day HR execution.
• Operate independently as the primary HR partner for the region.
• Lead labor relations strategies and support engagement initiatives.
• Develop and implement employee engagement initiatives.
• Mentor and develop other HR professionals; build scalable HR processes.

Skills

HR Leadership

Employee Relations

Labor Relations

HRBP

California Employment Law

Talent Management

People Strategy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organization and play a key role in building and scaling the HR function through an acquisition. The HR Manager will serve as a trusted strategic partner to business leaders across the Western Region while helping strengthen HR capabilities, processes, and talent.

This is a highly visible, hands‑on role with significant regional ownership. The position will support production and lab‑based teams, lead employee relations and labor relations strategies, drive employee engagement, and provide guidance on California and multi‑state employment practices. The role also offers the opportunity to mentor and develop HR professionals and grow into expanded leadership responsibilities over time.

Approximately 25% travel is expected to support employees and business leaders across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnership

• Serve as the trusted HR advisor to production and lab leaders across the Western Region.
• Partner with leaders on workforce planning, organizational structure, talent strategy, and organizational change.
• Support the integration and scaling of HR practices following an acquisition.
• Balance strategic HR partnership with hands‑on day‑to‑day HR execution.
• Operate independently as the primary HR partner for the region.

Employee Relations & Employment Law

• Manage complex employee relations matters with confidence, objectivity, and sound judgment.
• Provide guidance on performance management, investigations, corrective action, leaves, accommodations, and terminations.
• Apply deep knowledge of California employment law to mitigate risk and support compliant business decisions.
• Partner with Legal and HR leadership on sensitive and high‑risk employee matters.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and employment practices across locations.
• Support compliance with applicable federal and multi‑state employment requirements.

Labor Relations & Employee Engagement

• Lead labor relations strategies and support positive employee and workplace relationships.
• Develop and implement employee engagement initiatives.
• Identify employee relations and engagement trends and recommend solutions.
• Partner with leaders to strengthen communication, retention, culture, and employee experience.

HR Leadership & Capability Building

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and leadership within the HR function.
• Mentor, coach, and develop other HR professionals.
• Help build scalable HR processes, tools, and best practices.
• Share knowledge and strengthen HR capability across the region.
• Serve as a resource and thought partner to HR colleagues and business leaders.

Organizational Change & Acquisition Support

• Support organizational change and integration initiatives associated with acquisitions.
• Help assess organizational needs, people impacts, and workforce requirements.
• Partner cross‑functionally to implement people strategies and organizational changes.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes and overall service delivery.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Legal and HR Centers of Excellence on high‑impact people initiatives.
• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Benefits, Payroll, and other HR functions.
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and key stakeholders across the region.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including significant experience managing complex employee relations matters.
• Approximately 4–5 years of HRBP experience or equivalent senior‑level HR generalist experience in a strategic business partner role.
• Deep, hands‑on knowledge of California employment law and demonstrated experience applying it in an HR business partner capacity.
• Strong employee relations and employee engagement experience.
• Experience supporting production, laboratory, manufacturing, food, scientific, or similarly complex operational environments preferred.
• Experience supporting employee populations of 400+ across multiple locations.
• Strong working knowledge of multi‑state employment practices and geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience leading or supporting labor relations strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to coach leaders, influence without authority, and drive organizational change.
• Experience mentoring, guiding, or directly leading other HR professionals.
• Ability to operate independently as the primary HR partner within a region.
• Strong judgment and ability to balance employee needs, business objectives, and employment risk.
• Excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, integrations, or organizational transformations preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel approximately 25% and as needed to support business and stakeholder needs.

What Success Looks Like

• Lead with curiosity, collaboration, and authenticity.
• Build strong relationships and earn the trust of leaders and employees.
• Ask thoughtful, strategic questions and challenge the status quo when appropriate.
• Set clear boundaries while maintaining a healthy, sustainable approach to work.
• Empower leaders and HR colleagues to make thoughtful decisions.
• Identify what is not working and proactively recommend solutions.
• Build HR capability and help create scalable processes as the organization grows.
• Successfully balance strategic partnership with hands‑on HR execution.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary $130K – $140K based on experience
• Annual bonus eligibility based on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, retirement, and additional perks

Why choose Addison Group?

• Pay: We negotiate high salaries using US Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Benefits & Bonuses: You are eligible for medical, dental, vision insurance benefits, 401K, and monetary bonuses
• Permanent Employment: Many of Addison’s Administrative job openings lead to potential permanent employment
• Connections: You connect directly with hiring managers from renowned organizations
• Options: You are presented multiple employment options near your home
• Professional Development: You are provided hiring process advice, resume revision, and employment term negotiation

Addison Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Addison Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.