Human Resources Manager

Great Dane LLC; Kewanee (IL); On-site; USD 74,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Great Dane in Illinois seeks a Human Resources Manager to serve as a strategic partner to plant leadership, aligning people strategies with business goals to enhance workforce capability, engagement, and safety. The role covers talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and organizational development on the plant floor.

You will influence leaders, analyze workforce data, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with laws and company policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably within manufacturing or industrial operations.
• Strong knowledge of employee relations, employment law, talent management, workforce planning, and organizational development.
• Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and drive business results through people strategies.
• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, coaching, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Plant Manager and leadership team on workforce, talent, organizational, and employee-related matters.
• Align HR initiatives to plant objectives, labor requirements, safety goals, productivity targets, and business performance.
• Partner with leaders to improve organizational effectiveness, workforce capability, accountability, and employee engagement.
• Provide workforce insights and recommendations using turnover, staffing, attendance, safety, and employee data.
• Lead workforce planning efforts to ensure the plant has the talent required to meet current and future business needs.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and operations leaders to attract, hire, onboard, and retain top talent.
• Support succession planning and development of front-line supervisors, managers, and high-potential employees.
• Identify capability gaps and develop plans to strengthen leadership and workforce readiness.
• Coach leaders on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and policy interpretation.
• Conduct investigations and resolve employee concerns fairly, consistently, and in compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Foster a positive employee relations environment that promotes trust, accountability, communication, and respect.
• Support change initiatives that improve business performance, organizational agility, and workforce engagement.
• Partner with leaders to strengthen accountability, clarify roles and expectations, and improve decision-making effectiveness.
• Drive programs that reinforce Great Dane's culture, values, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support plant safety initiatives and foster a culture where safety remains a core organizational value.
• Oversee workers' compensation administration, return-to-work processes, and related employee support activities.
• Maintain accurate workforce reporting and HR metrics.
• Ensure effective administration of HR programs, systems, policies, and procedures.
• Partner with Corporate HR Centers of Excellence to effectively deploy enterprise HR initiatives within the plant.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Employee relations

Employment law

Talent management

Workforce planning

Org development

Leadership

Data analysis

MS Office

HR Certifications

Education

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

Tools

None

Job description

Overview

THE ROLE

At Great Dane, we rely on makers and we’re calling on them to join our expanding team. The time has never been better to Embrace Your Great and work in an environment with the highest safety standards in the industry.

The Position: The Human Resources Manager serves as a strategic business partner to Plant Leadership and is a key member of the plant leadership team. This role is responsible for aligning people strategies with business objectives to improve workforce capability, employee engagement, retention, safety performance, leadership effectiveness, and operational results. The HR Manager provides leadership and guidance across talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, compliance, and culture. Success in this role requires strong business acumen, a visible presence on the plant floor, data-driven decision making, and the ability to influence leaders at all levels. The HR Manager serves as a facilitator and strategic thought partner that enables business leaders to achieve operational goals through people.

Responsibilities

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Plant Manager and leadership team on workforce, talent, organizational, and employee-related matters.
• Align HR initiatives to plant objectives, labor requirements, safety goals, productivity targets, and business performance.
• Partner with leaders to improve organizational effectiveness, workforce capability, accountability, and employee engagement.
• Provide workforce insights and recommendations using turnover, staffing, attendance, safety, and employee data.
• Lead workforce planning efforts to ensure the plant has the talent required to meet current and future business needs.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and operations leaders to attract, hire, onboard, and retain top talent.
• Support succession planning and development of front-line supervisors, managers, and high-potential employees.
• Identify capability gaps and develop plans to strengthen leadership and workforce readiness.
• Coach leaders on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and policy interpretation.
• Conduct investigations and resolve employee concerns fairly, consistently, and in compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Foster a positive employee relations environment that promotes trust, accountability, communication, and respect.
• Support change initiatives that improve business performance, organizational agility, and workforce engagement.
• Partner with leaders to strengthen accountability, clarify roles and expectations, and improve decision-making effectiveness.
• Drive programs that reinforce Great Dane's culture, values, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support plant safety initiatives and foster a culture where safety remains a core organizational value.
• Oversee workers' compensation administration, return-to-work processes, and related employee support activities.
• Maintain accurate workforce reporting and HR metrics.
• Ensure effective administration of HR programs, systems, policies, and procedures.
• Partner with Corporate HR Centers of Excellence to effectively deploy enterprise HR initiatives within the plant.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

YOUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS)

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably within manufacturing or industrial operations.
• Skills: Strong knowledge of employee relations, employment law, talent management, workforce planning, and organizational development.
• Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and drive business results through people strategies.
• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
• High degree of judgment, discretion and decision making to achieve objectives.
• Must be a critical thinker – able to analyze information, identify complex problems, develop logical solutions.
• Requires self-management and project management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, Word, Outlook, & PowerPoint.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
• Travel: Minimal

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: Ability to sit 8 hours per day and do some light lifting. The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

• Work environment: Work in normal office setting.

ABOUT GREAT DANE

With a history dating back to 1900, Great Dane has established itself as a transportation solutions leader of today – delivering innovative products and exceptional services that help our customers and employees succeed. We not only engineer durable and high-quality trailers and truck bodies; we foster relationships that last a lifetime.

WHY WORK FOR US?

Great Dane is a leading manufacturer of dry-freight vans, refrigerated trailers, and flatbeds with 10 manufacturing facilities and 20 service centers throughout the United States. With a legacy like ours comes a dedication to the hard-working individuals that make Great Dane what it is today. Our jobs are waiting to be filled by driven, challenge-focused & enthusiastic people like you.

Our culture is comprised of “Champions” and offers a rewarding workplace rooted in core values of safety, leadership, integrity, quality, and passion. Every employee has opportunities to learn, to grow, to succeed and to be engaged in a collaborative environment.

BENEFITS OVERVIEW

• Competitive compensation

• Benefits, including but not limited to dental, vision, and medical with employer contributions

• Retirement programs, including a Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan with employer match

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Paid holidays and vacation

• And more!

SALARY RANGE

The expected salary range for this role is $73,783 - $150,209 per year.

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your exact pay, we may also consider your skills, experience, and other job-related factors.

Great Dane is an Equal Opportunity Employer