Plant HR Leader: Talent, Culture & Strategy

Great Dane LLC; Kewanee (IL); On-site; USD 74,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Great Dane in Illinois seeks a Human Resources Manager to serve as a strategic partner to plant leadership, aligning people strategies with business goals to enhance workforce capability, engagement, and safety. The role covers talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and organizational development on the plant floor.

You will influence leaders, analyze workforce data, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with laws and company policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably within manufacturing or industrial operations.
• Strong knowledge of employee relations, employment law, talent management, workforce planning, and organizational development.
• Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and drive business results through people strategies.
• Strong analytical, communication, leadership, coaching, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Plant Manager and leadership team on workforce, talent, organizational, and employee-related matters.
• Align HR initiatives to plant objectives, labor requirements, safety goals, productivity targets, and business performance.
• Partner with leaders to improve organizational effectiveness, workforce capability, accountability, and employee engagement.
• Provide workforce insights and recommendations using turnover, staffing, attendance, safety, and employee data.
• Lead workforce planning efforts to ensure the plant has the talent required to meet current and future business needs.
• Partner with Talent Acquisition and operations leaders to attract, hire, onboard, and retain top talent.
• Support succession planning and development of front-line supervisors, managers, and high-potential employees.
• Identify capability gaps and develop plans to strengthen leadership and workforce readiness.
• Coach leaders on employee relations, performance management, conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and policy interpretation.
• Conduct investigations and resolve employee concerns fairly, consistently, and in compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Foster a positive employee relations environment that promotes trust, accountability, communication, and respect.
• Support change initiatives that improve business performance, organizational agility, and workforce engagement.
• Partner with leaders to strengthen accountability, clarify roles and expectations, and improve decision-making effectiveness.
• Drive programs that reinforce Great Dane's culture, values, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support plant safety initiatives and foster a culture where safety remains a core organizational value.
• Oversee workers' compensation administration, return-to-work processes, and related employee support activities.
• Maintain accurate workforce reporting and HR metrics.
• Ensure effective administration of HR programs, systems, policies, and procedures.
• Partner with Corporate HR Centers of Excellence to effectively deploy enterprise HR initiatives within the plant.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Employee relations

Employment law

Talent management

Workforce planning

Org development

Leadership

Data analysis

MS Office

HR Certifications

Education

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

Tools

None

Job description

Great Dane in Illinois seeks a Human Resources Manager to serve as a strategic partner to plant leadership, aligning people strategies with business goals to enhance workforce capability, engagement, and safety. The role covers talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and organizational development on the plant floor.

You will influence leaders, analyze workforce data, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with laws and company policies.