Human Resources Operations Manager

Wenger Corporation

Owatonna (MN)

Hybrid

USD 120,000 - 150,000

Full time

8 days ago

A complete application in a minute

Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

9 Paid Holidays

Generous Profit Sharing

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Spending Accounts HSA, FSA, DCFSA

Company Paid Short-term and Long-term

Job summary

Wenger Corporation in Owatonna, MN is seeking an experienced HR Operations Manager to lead Payroll, Benefits, Administrative Services, and HRIS functions in a hybrid environment.

You will develop teams, ensure compliance with employment laws, and drive process improvements across compensation, leave, and safety programs while partnering with leaders to support a high-performance culture.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a business-related field required.
Two years of HR leadership experience.
Proficiency with varied HRIS systems.
Strong knowledge of employment laws and regulations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

Lead Payroll, Benefits, and Administrative Services with priorities and workloads.
Coach and develop team members with regular feedback and accountability.
Ensure effective front-desk, documentation, scheduling, and HR support.
Coordinate corporate events and team member activities.
Oversee Benefits, Wellness, and Leave Administration.
Oversee Payroll and HRIS Management.
Manage Compensation and Retirement Programs.
Ensure Compliance, Measurement, and Continuous Improvement.

Skills

HR Leadership

Employment laws knowledge

HR Strategy

Payroll administration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or related field

HR Management degree

Master’s or law degree

Tools

Paycom HRIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

This role follows a hybrid work schedule, with Team Members working onsite from our corporate headquarters in Owatonna, MN three days per week (Mondays, Thursdays, and one additional weekday) and remotely two days per week. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance to support the required in-office schedule.

At Wenger Corporation, our work is driven by M.U.S.I.C. (Motivation, Unity, Success, Innovation, and Customer Commitment) and united by purpose. With over 80 years of passion for performance, we enrich lives by enabling and inspiring great performances through world-class products and solutions for music education, performing arts, and athletic spaces. Across our family of brands, we are committed to our customers, to each other, and driven by the belief that great performances happen when great people work together.

At a Minimum You Will Need

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Administration degree in a business-related field
Two (2) years demonstrated success in human resources leadership position
Proficiency with varied HRIS systems
Proven thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of products

It Would Be Great If You Also Have

Human Resources Management degree
Masters or law degree, highly preferred
Manufacturing environment experience
Paycom HRIS experience
Manufacturing environment experience
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, SHRM-PHR or HRCI

As a Human Resources Operations Manager a typical day might include:

Team Leadership and HR Operations (KPI: 95% of critical HR operational deliverables completed accurately and by established deadlines; development goals established and reviewed for 100% of direct reports)
- Lead the Payroll, Benefits, and Administrative Services teams by establishing priorities, balancing workloads, monitoring performance, and ensuring accurate, timely, confidential, and service-focused work.
- Coach and develop team members through regular feedback, cross-training, clear accountability, and opportunities to strengthen skills and performance.
- Ensure effective front-desk, reception, documentation, scheduling, and general HR administrative support for team members, leaders, candidates, and visitors.
- Coordinate corporate events and team member activities, including appreciation events, holiday celebrations, and company picnics.
Benefits, Wellness, and Leave Administration (KPI: 98% benefit-enrollment accuracy; 95% of leave and benefit actions completed accurately and by required deadlines)
- Lead benefit renewals, broker and vendor relationships, open enrollment, wellness programming, and team member education to maintain competitive and team member-focused offerings.
- Research and recommend benefit and wellness program improvements based on organizational needs, market practices, compliance requirements, and program value.
- Oversee short- and long-term disability, FMLA, state-required paid leave, personal leaves of absence, and benefit payment collection for team members on unpaid leave.
Payroll and HRIS Management (KPI: 99.8% payroll accuracy; 100% of payrolls processed by established deadlines)
- Maintain the integrity of the HRIS and manage the system vendor relationship to support reliable data, effective workflows, and accurate reporting.
- Oversee weekly, biweekly, and bimonthly payroll processing in compliance with applicable laws and company requirements.
- Validate payroll registers, audit final payroll, approve payroll submissions, strengthen controls, and implement process improvements.
Compensation and Retirement Programs (KPI: 95% of annual compensation and retirement-plan activities completed accurately and on schedule)
- Manage market pricing, internal equity analysis, merit planning, incentive compensation, and profit-sharing processes to support the recruitment and retention of talent.
- Manage 401(k) vendor and fiduciary relationships, support the annual audit, coordinate team member education, and recommend program enhancements.
- Complete required analysis and reporting and prepare compensation and retirement-plan recommendations and presentations for leadership and the Compensation Committee.
Compliance, Measurement, and Continuous Improvement (KPI: 100% of required filings and audits completed by established deadlines; 90% of prioritized improvements completed on schedule)
- Manage the workers’ compensation program, including claims administration, carrier and broker relationships, required reporting, return-to-work coordination, and compliance.
- Monitor federal and state employment-law requirements and oversee Affinitive Action, EEO-1, VETS-100, Form 5500, record-retention, and workplace safety compliance.
- Coordinate engagement, new-hire, exit-interview, and pulse surveys; analyze results; and prepare actionable reporting and communications for HR and business leaders.
- Evaluate HR programs, processes, controls, and service delivery; prioritize improvements; and implement changes that strengthen compliance, efficiency, accuracy, and the team member experience.