Manager, HR

Smurfit Westrock; Delaware Water Gap (PA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Stroudsburg, PA, is seeking an HR Business Partner to support a 100+ employee unionized manufacturing workforce operating 24/7. You will partner with mill leadership to drive employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management and labor relations.

The role emphasizes strategic HR services, policy implementation, workforce planning and coaching of frontline leaders, reporting to the General Manager of the Stroudsburg Mill.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in HR/OD or business.
• Minimum 5 years of Human Resources experience.
• SHRM or HRCI certifications are a plus.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS systems.

Responsibilities

• Act as a culture champion, promoting engagement, inclusion, and retention in a fast-paced industrial environment.
• Serve as the primary HR business partner to mill leadership, supporting a ~100 employees, unionized manufacturing workforce operating 24/7.
• Lead labor relations strategy, including contract administration, grievance handling, and partnership with union representatives to maintain a productive labor environment.
• Interpret and administer the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), ensuring consistent application across all shifts and departments.
• Creates strategic business partnerships with front-line employees and supervisors to promote positive employee relations including walking the floor frequently.
• Implements human resource policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulatory requirements including EEO, FMLA, ADA, and federal and state wage and hour laws.
• Oversee effective and proactive workforce planning and recruiting for hourly and salaried roles in a continuous manufacturing environment, including skilled trades and operators.
• Lead performance management processes, including evaluations, corrective actions, and coaching for front‑line leaders.
• Analyze HR metrics (turnover, absenteeism, overtime, grievances) to identify trends and recommend operational improvements.
• Coaches and advises front‑line employees and managers regarding employee relations policies, policy and procedure interpretation and proper operating procedures.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to manage the recruiting process and ensure accurate, market-based compensation recommendations are provided and best-in‑class onboarding practices are utilized.
• Investigates questions and/or complaints to resolve employee relations issues.
• Conducts periodic training on applicable topics including sexual harassment, diversity, and employment law.
• Travel as required.

Skills

Employee relations

Labor relations

Talent acquisition

Data analysis

Change leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

HRIS

Job description

Description & Requirements
Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Description & Requirements
Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.
The Opportunity
The HRBP will provide day-to-day HR functional support to the Stroudsburg, PA Mill. This position will have responsibility for employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, talent management, labor relations and human resources metrics. The HR Business Partner will be responsible for driving continuous improvement of human resources services as a strategic partner to the business. This position will report to the General Manager of the Stroudsburg Mill.
How You Will Impact WestRock

• Act as a culture champion, promoting engagement, inclusion, and retention in a fast-paced industrial environment
• Serve as the primary HR business partner to mill leadership, supporting a ~100 employees, unionized manufacturing workforce operating 24/7
• Lead labor relations strategy, including contract administration, grievance handling, and partnership with union representatives to maintain a productive labor environment
• Interpret and administer the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), ensuring consistent application across all shifts and departments
• Creates strategic business partnerships with front-line employees and supervisors to promote positive employee relations including walking the floor frequently.
• Implements human resource policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulatory requirements including EEO, FMLA, ADA, and federal and state wage and hour laws.
• Oversee effective and proactive workforce planning and recruiting for hourly and salaried roles in a continuous manufacturing environment, including skilled trades and operators.
• Lead performance management processes, including evaluations, corrective actions, and coaching for front‑line leaders
• Analyze HR metrics (turnover, absenteeism, overtime, grievances) to identify trends and recommend operational improvements.
• Coaches and advises front‑line employees and managers regarding employee relations policies, policy and procedure interpretation and proper operating procedures.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition to manage the recruiting process and ensure accurate, market-based compensation recommendations are provided and best-in‑class onboarding practices are utilized.
• Investigates questions and/or complaints to resolve employee relations issues.
• Conducts periodic training on applicable topics including sexual harassment, diversity, and employment law.
• Travel as required.
  

What You Need To Succeed

• A bachelor's degree is preferred with a focus on human resources, organizational development or business.
• A minimum of 5 years of Human Resources experience. SHRM or HRCI certifications are a plus.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to investigate and assess employee conflicts objectively and solve such issues using a variety of methods and tools, including coaching and conflict resolution.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and HRIS systems.
• Attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to model effective change leadership and empower leaders through change efforts.
• Team building and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical/problem-solving ability using data and insights to improve business decisions.
  

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.