Plant HR Manager

Sherpa | Recruiting, Staffing & Consulting; City of Corning (NY); On-site; USD 149,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherpa is seeking a Plant Human Resources Manager to partner with plant leadership and employees in a major manufacturing environment. You will ensure the plant has the talent, culture, and HR infrastructure needed to execute the business strategy while maintaining a positive, inclusive, high-performing workplace.

As a visible HR leader, you will shape talent acquisition, workforce planning, employee relations, and development, while aligning with safety, regulatory, and labor requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Labor Relations, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible HR experience, ideally within manufacturing or an operational environment.
• Experience serving as an HR Business Partner with increasing responsibility and scope.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing HR strategies that support business objectives.
• Experience supporting both union and non-union employee populations is highly preferred.
• Strong background in employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, compensation, talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement.
• Proven ability to take ownership of HR operations for a manufacturing site and serve as an integral member of the plant leadership team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including translating insights into practical business solutions.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, coaching, and influencing skills with the ability to work at all levels.
• HR certifications and/or a master’s degree are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR leader and strategic business partner for the manufacturing plant, supporting plant leadership and employees across all levels.
• Lead the deployment of HR programs, policies, and employee relations initiatives while ensuring compliance with employment laws and site labor agreements.
• Develop and execute talent acquisition, workforce planning, internal mobility, and recruiting strategies in partnership with HR and operations leadership.
• Oversee selection, hiring, onboarding, contingent workforce staffing, and related workforce initiatives.
• Partner with plant and division leadership to strengthen the employee value proposition and improve attraction, retention, engagement, and overall employee experience.
• Provide guidance and coaching on employee relations, performance management, compensation, engagement, learning and development, organizational effectiveness, and workforce planning.
• Maintain a highly visible presence throughout the plant, building trust with employees and leaders while proactively addressing workplace concerns.
• Support safety, health, environmental, and risk-management initiatives through HR programs, policies, training, and engagement.
• Ensure effective adoption of global HR processes and shared services while tailoring solutions for the plant.

Skills

HR strategy

Employee relations

Talent acquisition

Workforce planning

Organizational development

Coaching & leadership

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR/Related field

Job description

Job Overview – Plant HR Manager – 34416

We’re partnering with a leading global manufacturing organization to identify a Plant Human Resources Manager who will serve as a strategic HR partner to plant leadership and employees. This role is responsible for ensuring the plant has the talent, culture, and HR infrastructure needed to execute its business strategy while maintaining a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.

Compensation: To $165K, plus bonus.

This is a highly visible leadership role for an HR professional who enjoys being close to the business, working directly with plant operations, and solving complex employee and organizational challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR leader and strategic business partner for the manufacturing plant, supporting plant leadership and employees across all levels.
• Lead the deployment of HR programs, policies, and employee relations initiatives while ensuring compliance with applicable employment laws and site collective bargaining agreements.
• Develop and execute talent acquisition, workforce planning, internal mobility, and recruiting strategies in partnership with HR and operations leadership.
• Oversee selection, hiring, onboarding, contingent workforce staffing, and related workforce initiatives.
• Partner with plant and division leadership to strengthen the employee value proposition and improve attraction, retention, engagement, and overall employee experience.
• Provide guidance and coaching on employee relations, performance management, compensation, engagement, learning and development, organizational effectiveness, and workforce planning.
• Maintain a highly visible presence throughout the plant, building trust with employees and leaders while proactively identifying and addressing workplace concerns.
• Support safety, health, environmental, and risk-management initiatives through effective HR programs, policies, training, and employee engagement.
• Ensure effective adoption of global HR processes and shared services while tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of the plant.
• Use HR analytics and business insights to identify trends, determine root causes, and recommend solutions that improve employee engagement and business performance.
• Coach plant leaders on talent decisions, succession planning, organizational development, and effective people-management practices.
• Ensure compliance with HR-related legal and regulatory requirements, company policies, and applicable labor agreements.
• Lead and participate in HR initiatives at the plant, division, and corporate levels while identifying opportunities to improve HR processes and effectiveness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Labor Relations, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible HR experience, ideally within a manufacturing or other operational environment.
• Experience serving as an HR Business Partner with increasing responsibility and scope.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing HR strategies that support business objectives.
• Experience supporting both union and non-union employee populations is highly preferred.
• Strong background in employee relations, performance management, workforce planning, compensation, talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement.
• Proven ability to take ownership of HR operations for a manufacturing site and serve as an integral member of the plant leadership team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify root causes and translate insights into practical business solutions.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, coaching, and influencing skills with the ability to work effectively at every organizational level.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, matrixed organization and adapt to changing business priorities.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• HR certifications and/or a master’s degree are preferred.

More to consider:

This is an opportunity to make a direct impact on both people and business performance. You’ll have significant visibility with plant and HR leadership, influence workforce strategy, and the opportunity to shape culture, engagement, and organizational effectiveness within a complex manufacturing environment.

If you’re an HR leader who thrives on being close to the business, coaching leaders, solving employee challenges, and building high-performing manufacturing teams, we’d love to hear from you.

Additional Job Details

Workplace Policy:

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior Level

Linked In Poster:

About Our Process

• We will notify you if you are selected as a candidate for this role. If not, but you fit our specializations, we'll consider you for future openings, and encourage you to apply for other Sherpa roles you're qualified for/interested in.
• Non-Local Candidates: Please note that you are competing with local candidates who don’t require relocation expenses and can start quickly, so let us know if you have plans to move to the area soon.
• Candidates for all Sherpa opportunities must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Sherpa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.