Human Resources Manager

PaperWorks US; Wabash (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PaperWorks US in Wabash, IN is seeking a hands-on Human Resources Manager to support our mill and 200+ team members. You will partner with operations, lead talent initiatives, and align HR programs with plant goals.

This role blends strategic partnership with hands-on employee relations, labor relations at a union facility, and a focus on workplace culture and organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Experience supporting a unionized workforce and labor relations.
• Strong knowledge of HR practices, employment law, and employee relations.
• Experience using HR systems, analytics, and data to drive decisions.
• Exposure to collective bargaining negotiations and labor strategy development.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with plant leadership to develop and execute people strategies that support business objectives.
• Serve as the primary HR leader for a unionized manufacturing facility, fostering positive team member relationships.
• Provide guidance on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, and investigations.
• Administer and interpret the CBA and ensure policy consistency.
• Lead labor relations activities including grievance management and contract administration.
• Coach leaders on talent management, engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
• Lead recruiting, onboarding, training, and succession planning.

Skills

Labor relations

Employee relations

Coaching

Communication

HR analytics

Policy interpretation

Influence leaders

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

SHRM- certification considered

Tools

HRIS

Payroll systems

Job description

Summary

Wabash, IN | Manufacturing | Union Environment

Are you a hands-on HR leader who enjoys partnering with operations, building strong team member relationships, and driving positive business results? PaperWorks is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager to support our Wabash paper mill and its 200+ team members.

In this key leadership role, you will serve as both a strategic business partner and a trusted resource for team members and leaders. You'll help shape workplace culture, support talent initiatives, lead team member relations efforts, and ensure HR programs align with operational goals.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do:

• Partner with plant leadership to develop and execute people strategies that support business objectives.
• Serve as the primary HR leader for a unionized manufacturing facility, fostering positive team member relationships.
• Provide guidance and support on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, and workplace investigations.
• Administer and interpret the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and ensure consistent application of policies and practices.
• Lead labor relations activities, including grievance management, contract administration, workforce planning, and participation in collective bargaining negotiations.
• Coach and develop leaders on talent management, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
• Lead recruiting, onboarding, training, and succession planning initiatives.
• Ensure legal compliance through all operations.
• Leverage HR data and insights to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and high-performance work environment that reflects the values at PaperWorks.
• Along with other duties and responsibilities.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field. SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification is a plus.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting a unionized workforce, including labor relations, grievance handling, contract interpretation, and labor-management partnerships.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices, employment law, and employee relations.
• Experience using HR systems, analytics, and data to drive business decisions.
• Exposure to collective bargaining negotiations and labor strategy development preferred.
• Exceptional communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to influence leaders, solve problems, and thrive in a fast-paced operational environment.