Human Resources Manager

CEL Critical Power; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CEL Critical Power Ltd. is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager to support its growing U.S. operations. The role partners with leaders across manufacturing, engineering, and corporate functions, advising on employee relations, performance, and workforce planning.

The successful candidate will blend US employment law knowledge with practical HR leadership on the manufacturing floor, drive compliance, and lead HR projects while coaching managers and supporting talent development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience including managerial roles.
• 3+ years supporting manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of US federal and state employment laws; investigations experience.
• Able to advise leaders, coach managers, and drive accountability.
• Experience in fast-growing or changing organizations.
• Analytical use of HR metrics to guide decisions.
• Experience with HRIS, records, and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders on workforce planning, staffing, and HR strategy.
• Provide day-to-day HR guidance on performance, attendance, policies, and concerns.
• Manage employee relations, investigations, and escalations to leadership/Legal.
• Coach managers on performance, development, and policy application.
• Ensure compliance with US employment laws; manage leave and accommodations.
• Maintain visible HR presence on the manufacturing floor and with operations.
• Support performance reviews, talent planning, promotions, and compensation changes.
• Collaborate with Talent Acquisition on hiring and onboarding.
• Support compensation benchmarking, merit reviews, and recognition programs.
• Use HR data to identify trends and improve processes; manage HR lifecycle.
• Maintain HRIS data integrity and accurate records.
• Develop and administer HR policies and programs; assist audits.

Skills

Employee relations

Performance management

HR analytics

HRIS

Coaching managers

Communication

Organizational development

Multi-state HR

Education

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

PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification preferred

Tools

HRIS systems

Job description

CEL Critical Power is seeking an experienced, hands-on Human Resources Manager to support our growing U.S. operations. This position partners with leaders, managers, and employees across manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, warehouse, and corporate functions.

Reporting to the Director of Human Resources – USA, the HR Manager will manage day-to-day HR operations and serve as a trusted adviser on employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, compliance, employee engagement, and organizational development.

The successful candidate will combine strong U.S. employment-law knowledge with sound judgment, analytical capability, and a practical approach. This role requires someone equally comfortable advising leadership, coaching managers, managing complex employee matters, and maintaining a visible HR presence on the manufacturing floor.

Work Location: On-site Mon-Fri Hours: 7am – 4pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders on workforce planning, organizational needs, staffing, employee development, succession planning, and HR strategy.
• Provide day-to-day HR guidance to managers and employees regarding performance, attendance, conduct, policies, and workplace concerns.
• Manage employee relations matters and workplace investigations, escalating significant matters to the HR Director and legal counsel when appropriate.
• Coach managers on performance management, corrective action, documentation, employee development, and consistent application of policies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, USERRA, and wage and hour requirements.
• Manage employee leave, workplace accommodations, return-to-work matters, and related documentation.
• Maintain a visible HR presence on the manufacturing floor and partner with operations leadership on turnover, attendance, scheduling, retention, and workforce challenges.
• Manage and support performance reviews, talent planning, succession planning, promotions, compensation changes, and organizational changes.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and business leaders on hiring, workforce planning, and onboarding.
• Support compensation benchmarking, merit/COLA reviews, bonus programs, recognition, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Use HR data and workforce metrics to identify trends, measure outcomes, and recommend solutions.
• Manage day-to-day HR operations and employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, transfers, promotions, status changes, and offboarding.
• Maintain HRIS data integrity and accurate, compliant employee records and documentation.
• Develop, implement, and consistently administer HR policies, procedures, and programs.
• Support HR audits, compliance reviews, required reporting, and recordkeeping.
• Identify and implement improvements to HR processes, systems, workflows, and internal controls.
• Support organizational change, employee communications, training, and leadership development initiatives.
• Supervise, coach, and develop assigned HR team members and ensure consistent delivery of HR services.
• Lead assigned HR projects from planning through implementation.
• Provide HR leadership and operational coverage in the absence of the HR Director.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including HR Manager, HR Business Partner, Senior HR Generalist, or comparable experience.
• 3+ years supporting manufacturing, production, industrial, engineering, or a similar operational environment.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. federal and state employment laws and hands‑on experience with employee relations, investigations, corrective action, and performance management.
• Proven ability to advise leaders, coach managers, and hold managers accountable for effective people management.
• Experience supporting a fast‑growing or rapidly changing organization.
• Strong analytical skills with experience using HR metrics and workforce data to support decisions.
• Experience with HRIS systems, employee records, HR operations, and process improvement.
• Strong communication, judgment, discretion, documentation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in a fast‑paced environment.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification preferred.
• Multi‑state HR, compensation/job architecture, HRIS implementation, HR analytics, and global organization experience preferred.

Work Environment

• Fully onsite position; hybrid and remote work arrangements are not available.
• Regular presence in office and manufacturing environments and interaction with employees on the production floor.
• Must comply with applicable safety and PPE requirements.
• Flexibility to support multiple shifts and occasional travel as business needs require.

Why Join CEL Critical Power?

Join a Trusted Industry Leader – 42 Years of Excellence

CEL has been delivering high‑quality, bespoke power distribution solutions for over four decades, with products that stand the test of time.

Be Part of a Global Expansion

With CEL launching its first US manufacturing plant, you will have the opportunity to work on international projects and documentation standards while collaborating with colleagues across North America.

Collaborate with World‑Class Engineers, Vendors & Industry Experts

You’ll work alongside leading engineers, project managers, document controllers, product managers, and global vendors, ensuring excellence and operational success across CEL’s international teams.

Shape the Future of CEL – Critical Power

This is more than just an operator role—it’s an opportunity to help forge the future of CEL and our expansion across the US.

Competitive Salary, Benefits & Career Growth

We offer structured career development, professional training, and leadership opportunities, ensuring long‑term career progression.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CEL Critical Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and high‑performing workplace. We strongly believe that seeking out and hiring the most diverse talent and creating an inclusive workplace is the way to create an exceptional and innovative environment for our employees, which will deliver excellence in service to our customers. We encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experience to join this multicultural, hard‑working team. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.