Human Resources Manager Gillette, WY

Western Welding Academy; Gillette, Northern (WY, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free medical option: Cigna HDHP

HSA contributions

Company-paid life insurance

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays

Job summary

Western Welding Academy is seeking a hands-on HR Manager to own the full people function for ~50 employees across two related companies. You will manage payroll, benefits, compliance, onboarding, and culture in a fast-moving, mission-driven environment.

The ideal candidate is relational, discreet, and capable of building simple, scalable HR processes that endure beyond any one person. You will partner with leadership to shape our people strategy and ensure best-in-class employee experience.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of hands-on HR experience.
• Experience with payroll, benefits administration, and HR compliance.
• Solid understanding of federal employment law; multistate knowledge is a plus.
• Clear, professional communication and discretion with confidential information.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and AI platforms.

Responsibilities

• Own payroll, benefits, onboarding, compliance, and culture for ~50 employees across two EINs.
• Manage time and attendance, payroll cycles, and benefits enrollment.
• Coordinate and lead talent acquisition, screening, and interviews; own onboarding and 30/60/90-day plans.
• Provide confidential coaching to managers on people issues and performance.

Skills

Payroll

Benefits administration

HR compliance

HR systems

Federal employment law

Communication

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

AI platforms

Education

SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification

Tools

HRIS / HR systems

Job description

About the Role

Western Welding Academy is on a mission to build a better generation of blue-collar craftsmen, and we are looking for a steady, people-first HR Manager to help us care for the team that makes that mission possible. This is the one HR seat for our organization, supporting about 50 employees across two related companies. You will own the full people function, from payroll and benefits to hiring, onboarding, compliance, and culture.

This is a hands-on, full-ownership role for someone who is both relational and operational. The right person is trusted and discreet, strong on follow-through, and energized by building simple systems that outlast any one person. You will help carry forward our mission of restoring the backbone of America's industrial strength, one welder at a time.

What You Will Own

Payroll and HR Systems

• Run full-cycle payroll for about 50 employees across two related companies (two EINs).
• Manage time and attendance, including timesheet review, corrections, and approvals.
• Complete weekly 401(k) contribution uploads and monthly HSA contributions on time.
• Keep employee records, PTO, and pay data accurate and current.
• Answer multistate payroll and withholding questions as they come up.

Benefits Administration

• Administer medical, dental, vision, life, disability, 401(k), and HSA plans.
• Manage new hire enrollments, open enrollment, and life event changes.
• Resolve employee benefits inquiries and support annual broker reviews.

Compliance and Risk

• Ensure compliance with federal and Wyoming employment laws and handbook policies.
• Maintain I-9s, personnel records, and mandated reporting (ACA, EEO, FLSA).
• Manage background screenings, workers' compensation, and unemployment claims.

Talent Acquisition and Onboarding

• Execute full-cycle recruiting: job postings, screening, and value-based interviewing.
• Coordinate and manage interviews.
• Own onboarding, 30/60/90-day plans, and offboarding procedures.

Employee Relations and Culture

• Serve as a confidential resource and coach for employees and managers.
• Coach managers on people issues, feedback, and performance.
• Handle employee relations concerns and workplace investigations with fairness and care.
• Support a positive, mission-aligned culture built on our core values.

HR Operations and Systems

• Own HR systems and keep them running smoothly.
• Build simple, repeatable processes and clear documentation so the HR function runs consistently.
• Take part in our EOS operating rhythm, including quarterly rocks and weekly L10 meetings.

What You Bring

• Three or more years of hands-on HR experience, ideally as a generalist who has worn many hats.
• Working knowledge of payroll, benefits administration, and HR compliance.
• Comfort managing HR systems and learning new platforms quickly.
• Solid understanding of federal employment law; Wyoming or multistate knowledge is a plus.
• Clear, warm, and professional communication, both written and verbal.
• High trust and discretion with confidential information.
• Self-directed and organized, able to run the full HR function with limited oversight.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and AI platforms.

Preferred

• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification.
• Experience as a solo or small-team HR practitioner.
• Experience supporting a multi-entity (multiple EIN) organization.

What We Offer

• A free medical option: the Cigna HDHP is fully company-paid for you and your family, with $0 taken from your paycheck.
• $1,000 per year added to your HSA when you choose the HDHP.
• $75,000 in company-paid life insurance at no cost to you.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• A 401(k) with a company match up to 3.5% of pay, fully vested after two years.
• Unlimited PTO for salaried employees, starting on day one.
• Nine paid holidays.
• The chance to shape the people experience at a mission-driven company that changes lives through the skilled trades.

Before you Start

All offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment Drug Screening and Background check.

It is Western Welding Academy's policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.