Human Resources Manager

Ardena; New Jersey; On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Tailored benefits package

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development and training

Job summary

Ardena is seeking an experienced HR Manager to join the People & Culture team at our Somerset, New Jersey site. You will act as an integral HR partner to site leadership, delivering operational HR support, policy implementation, employee relations, performance management and recruitment guidance in a GMP-regulated environment.

You will collaborate on workforce planning, organizational development and employee experience initiatives, while ensuring compliance with US employment laws and Ardena

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business administration or related field.
• 8+ years’ progressive HR experience with employee relations, performance management and advisory.
• HR certification preferred; AI certification or training a plus.
• Experience as HR Business Partner or HR Manager supporting multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Partner with site leadership to provide operational HR support and advisory services.
• Lead employee relations, performance management, and disciplinary matters with fair, compliant outcomes.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning and talent development activities.
• Develop and maintain HR policies/procedures, deliver training, and manage HR analytics and benefits administration.
• Oversee open enrollment planning, payroll liaison and vendor coordination.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

HR advisory

Coaching

HR metrics

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business Admin

HR Certification preferred

AI certification/training a plus

Tools

Paylocity

HRIS

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About Ardena

Ardena is a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Contract Research Organization (CRO) specialising in precision medicine development. Ardena supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in bringing innovative, complex molecules from discovery to market. The Ardena Group operates from sites across Europe and the United States, employing more than 750 professionals. Ardena European sites are located in Oss and Assen (the Netherlands), Ghent (Belgium), and Pamplona (Spain). Ardena US facility is based in Somerset, New Jersey. For the Ardena Business Unit based in Somerset (US), we are recruiting an HR Manager to join our People & Culture team.

Job Overview

Department: People & Culture

Location: Somerset (US)

This role will act as an integral HR partner to site leadership and business teams, providing operational HR support and strategic HR business partnering. The position combines day-to-day HR management (employee relations, policy implementation, performance management, recruitment guidance, and HR administration) with advisory responsibilities to support workforce planning, organizational development and a positive employee experience within a GMP-regulated environment.

Role Description

The HR Manager is responsible for delivering HR services that enable the business to meet its objectives while ensuring compliance with relevant employment laws, Ardena policies and CARE values. The role requires proactive engagement with managers and employees, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement of HR processes and practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted partner to supervisors and managers, offering guidance on employee relations, performance management, disciplinary and grievance matters, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes.
• Support recruitment and onboarding activities by partnering with hiring managers, advising on selection strategies, participating in interviews, and ensuring a smooth induction experience that meets compliance and safety requirements.
• Drive performance management processes, coaching managers on objective setting, regular feedback, probation reviews and performance improvement plans; support talent calibration and succession planning activities.
• Develop, implement and maintain HR policies and procedures in line with Ardena standards; ensure policies are communicated and applied consistently across the site.
• Deliver learning and development initiatives in collaboration with HR colleagues, including onboarding, compliance training and targeted development programs that build capability and engagement.
• Provide HR metrics and analysis (headcount, turnover, absence, recruitment KPIs) to support decision-making and continuous improvement of people practices.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and site culture activities that reinforce Ardena's CARE values: Communicative, Accountable, Reliable and Excellent.
• Lead day-to-day administration of employee benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, leave-related benefits, retirement, wellness, and other employee offerings.

Serve as the primary HR lead for open enrollment planning, employee communications, vendor coordination, issue resolution, and process improvement.

Partner with payroll and external providers to ensure benefit deductions, enrollments, changes, and terminations are processed accurately and timely.

Monitor benefits trends, utilization, employee feedback, and vendor performance; recommend enhancements that improve employee experience and cost effectiveness.

Ensure required benefits notices, documentation, and administration processes are compliant and audit-ready.

• Lead AI-driven process improvement and automation initiatives across HR programs.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field preferred.
• 8+ years' progressive HR experience with demonstrable experience in employee relations, performance management and HR advisory; experience in a regulated or manufacturing environment is desirable.
• Experience working as an HR Business Partner or HR Manager supporting multi-disciplinary teams.
• HR certification preferred.
• AI certification or formal training is a plus.

Knowledge / Skills

• Strong working knowledge of US employment legislation and best practice HR processes.
• Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and integrity.
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills with the ability to influence leaders and build credible relationships at all levels.
• Payroll proficiency with Paylocity a plus
• Analytical approach to HR metrics and experience using HRIS systems; proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, for reporting and analysis.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work to deadlines.
• Benefits Management experience preferred
• Change agent mindset: able to identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and employee experience.
• Alignment with Ardena's CARE values and a commitment to promoting a safe, inclusive and collaborative workplace.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and work at a desk and computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, phones, printers, and scanners.
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift or move items up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically.

What Ardena Offers

Ardena is a science-driven and people-focused employer. Working at Ardena means contributing to pharmaceutical projects that support the availability, safety, and quality of medicines for patients worldwide.

Ardena offers an international working environment where employees are encouraged to develop their expertise, take ownership, and grow their careers across functions and locations.

Benefits And Perks At Ardena Include

• Competitive salary and tailored benefits package (adjusted per role and location)
• Flexible working arrangements and paid annual leave (where applicable, depending on role and site)
• International and collaborative work environment across European and US sites
• Access to professional development and training programmes
• Meaningful work on pharmaceutical development projects that advance patient health
• A values-driven culture guided by Ardena's CARE principles: Communicative, Accountable, Reliable, and Excellent

The Salary Range for this role is $115,000.00 - $125,000.00

No relocation assistance available