Human Resources Manager - Manufacturing

Keystone Distinction Group; Columbus (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group in Columbus, GA, is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager to lead our large, unionized manufacturing operation onsite. You will partner with the Plant Manager and site leadership to drive labor relations, workforce strategy, and organizational effectiveness.

The role emphasizes union relations, employee engagement, leadership development, and proactive HR programs to support plant performance and culture.

Qualifications

• This role requires a Bachelor's degree in HR or related field and 5+ years of HR experience.
• Experience supporting a unionized manufacturing workforce is essential.
• Strong business acumen to influence site leadership and drive change.

Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic HR business partner to Plant Manager and site leadership.
• Lead labor and employee relations, talent acquisition, and performance management.
• Develop union-management relationships and administer bargaining agreements.
• Oversee hourly hiring, staffing, and headcount management in a multi-shift plant.
• Lead workforce planning, leadership development, and organizational capability building.
• Coach leaders on engagement, conflict resolution, and policy adherence.
• Drive HR initiatives for labor negotiations and continuous improvement.

Skills

Labor relations

Union experience

HR leadership

Business acumen

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR or related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

Human Resources Manager – Manufacturing

Columbus, GA | 100% Onsite

We are seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager to serve as the senior HR leader for a large, unionized manufacturing operation in Columbus, Georgia. This highly visible role will partner directly with the Plant Manager and site leadership team to drive labor relations, workforce strategy, employee engagement, leadership development and organizational effectiveness.

This is an excellent opportunity for an HR leader who enjoys being close to the operation and wants to have a meaningful impact on plant culture and performance. The successful candidate will bring strong union/labor relations experience, sound business judgment and the ability to build productive relationships with employees, union representatives and plant leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as strategic HR business partner to the Plant Manager and site leadership team.
• Lead site HR activities including labor and employee relations, talent acquisition, talent management, organizational development and performance management.
• Develop and maintain constructive relationships with union leadership and help strengthen labor-management collaboration.
• Administer and interpret collective bargaining agreements and provide leadership on grievances, investigations, contract interpretation, arbitration preparation and labor-risk matters.
• Partner with union and plant leadership to proactively address employee and workplace concerns.
• Support labor negotiations and longer-term labor relations strategy.
• Provide oversight of hourly hiring, bid administration, staffing and headcount management.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning, talent reviews and critical-role readiness.
• Develop frontline supervisors and other leaders through training, coaching, mentoring and individual development planning.
• Coach leaders regarding employee engagement, performance management, conflict resolution, communication and leadership practices.
• Lead workplace investigations and ensure fair, timely and compliant resolution of employee concerns.
• Use workforce data, employee-relations trends and organizational metrics to identify issues and support business decisions.
• Lead HR and organizational change initiatives supporting operational improvement and continuous improvement.
• Oversee employee recognition, engagement and other programs supporting a positive plant culture.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and compliance with applicable employment and labor laws.
• Work onsite and be willing to adjust hours as necessary to support a multi-shift manufacturing operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• 3+ years of experience supporting a unionized workforce.
• Manufacturing HR experience required.
• Strong experience administering and interpreting collective bargaining agreements and managing grievances and complex labor/employee relations matters.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive union-management relationships.
• Experience with workforce planning, succession planning, leadership development and organizational capability building.
• Experience coaching and developing leaders and employees.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to influence operational leaders and drive change.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication, coaching and relationship-building skills.

Preferred

• HR Generalist leadership experience.
• Food, consumer products or other high-volume manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting collective bargaining and labor negotiations.
• Experience implementing leadership development and succession-planning programs.
• HRIS experience, including Workday.
• Lean manufacturing or continuous-improvement environment experience.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification.