Manufacturing HR Manager: Employee Relations & Compliance

Frontline Source Group - Nationwide Staffing & Executive Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

PTO & holidays

401k with company match

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Frontline Source Group - Nationwide Staffing & Executive Search in Chicago, IL is seeking a full-time, direct-hire HR Manager to lead employee relations, HR operations, and compliance initiatives onsite.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of manufacturing HR experience, a strong Paylocity background, and a strategic, hands-on approach. Excellent communication and leadership abilities are essential to partner with managers and drive process improvements.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of HR experience in manufacturing.
• Strong employee relations, HR operations, and compliance background.
• Experience with Paylocity and HRIS systems.
• Union-related compliance experience a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, or related field; HR certification preferred.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.

Responsibilities

• Lead employee relations initiatives, investigations, and performance management escalations
• Ensure consistent policy enforcement across a manufacturing workforce
• Serve as a trusted HR partner to managers and employees
• Develop HR best practices and standard operating procedures
• Identify and implement HR process improvements to enhance efficiency
• Maintain HR metrics including turnover, staffing analysis, and compliance tracking
• Create dashboards and analytics to support data-driven decision-making
• Support workforce planning and organizational strategy
• Build and support training, development, and succession planning
• Ensure HR compliance, audit readiness, and accurate documentation practices
• Assist with union-related compliance as needed
• Provide leadership and mentorship to HR staff
• Support onboarding and HR administration processes

Skills

Employee relations

HR operations

Compliance

HR systems

Leadership

Communication

Education

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

HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) preferred

Tools

Paylocity

HRIS

Job description

Our client in Chicago, Illinois is hiring a full-time, direct hire HR Manager to lead employee relations, HR operations, and compliance initiatives. This onsite leadership opportunity is ideal for an experienced HR professional with a strong background supporting transportation, logistics, distribution, or fleet-based operations.

Company Profile:

Client operates within the manufacturing sector and is committed to operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement.

The HR Manager will lead Human Resources operations with an emphasis on employee relations, compliance, leadership partnership, and process improvement across a dynamic operational workforce.

Serve as the primary HR business partner to operational leadership

Lead employee relations, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, and performance management

Coach managers on employee issues, policy interpretation, and best HR practices

Ensure consistent application of company policies, procedures, and employment laws

Drive HR process improvements and implement best practices across the organization

Monitor key HR metrics including turnover, retention, absenteeism, staffing, and workforce trends

Develop reports, dashboards, and HR analytics to support leadership decisions

Support workforce planning, organizational development, and succession planning initiatives

Oversee compliance, audits, documentation, and employment records

Partner with leadership on organizational strategy and talent initiatives

Mentor and support HR staff while promoting a collaborative team environment

Assist with labor and union-related matters as needed

5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience

Transportation, logistics, trucking, distribution, fleet services, or similar operational industry experience required

Strong employee relations and performance management experience

Experience partnering directly with operational leadership

Knowledge of HR compliance, investigations, and employment law

Experience developing HR reporting and workforce analytics

HRIS experience required; Paylocity experience is preferred but not required for experienced HR Managers

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

PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification is a plus

Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills

Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion

Features and Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous PTO and paid holidays

401k with company match

Stable, growth-oriented manufacturing environment

Leadership visibility and opportunity to make a measurable impact