Plant HR Manager

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; Prineville (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East is seeking a Plant HR Manager to lead the HR function at a manufacturing plant. You will partner with plant leadership to strengthen engagement, retention, and culture while aligning HR strategy with operations.

You’ll oversee relations, recruiting, onboarding, performance, compensation, and HRIS/payroll, while ensuring compliance and confidentiality. This leadership role requires building trust, coaching leaders, and turning analytics into

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR or related field.
• 5+ years progressive HR experience.
• 2+ years HR leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and challenge leaders constructively.
• Experience supporting HR in manufacturing/plant environments desirable.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and timekeeping systems.
• Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information.
• HR certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as HR leader and strategic business partner for a plant operation.
• Partner with plant leadership to strengthen engagement, improve retention, and build a culture of recognition, respect, and inclusion.
• Coach leaders through employee relations, performance management, talent development, and employment decisions.
• Provide guidance on employment law, policies, investigations, and sound HR practices.
• Lead the implementation of HR programs and initiatives aligned with organizational strategy.
• Oversee HR functions including employee relations and investigations, recruiting and onboarding, performance management, compensation and benefits, HRIS, payroll, and timekeeping, attendance and employment practices, training and development, and engagement.
• Analyze HR metrics and trends to identify opportunities and develop action plans.
• Partner with plant leadership to establish and execute a high-performing employee experience.
• Support organizational development initiatives, including engagement surveys and leadership development.
• Train and coach leaders on expectations, recognition, and performance discussions.
• Communicate HR policies clearly and consistently.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations.
• Provide leadership and support to the site HR team.
• Handle highly confidential employee information with integrity.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Talent development

Performance management

Coaching

Data analysis

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Influence leaders

HRIS experience

Payroll systems

Manufacturing experience

Education

Bachelor's in HR

HR certification

Tools

HRIS

Payroll software

Timekeeping systems

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

A well-established, people-focused organization is seeking a Plant HR Manager to lead the HR function at one of its operational facilities. This is a highly visible HR leadership opportunity for a strategic, hands-on professional who knows how to build trust, coach leaders, strengthen culture, and turn HR strategy into measurable results.

You’ll partner closely with plant leadership to improve engagement, strengthen retention, develop talent, and create a workplace where people can do their best work. From employee relations and recruiting to performance management, compliance, compensation, and leadership development, you'll have a broad scope of responsibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What You’ll Get to Do

• Serve as the HR leader and strategic business partner for a dynamic plant operation.
• Partner with plant leadership to strengthen employee engagement, improve retention, and build a culture of recognition, respect, and inclusion.
• Coach leaders through employee relations, performance management, talent development, and employment decisions.
• Provide guidance on employment law, company policies, investigations, and sound HR practices.
• Lead the implementation of HR programs and initiatives in alignment with broader organizational strategy.
• Oversee key HR functions including:
  • Employee relations and investigations
  • Recruiting and onboarding
  • Performance management
  • Compensation and benefits
  • HRIS, payroll, and timekeeping
  • Attendance and employment practices
  • Training and development
  • Employee engagement and retention
• Analyze HR metrics and trends to identify opportunities and develop meaningful action plans.
• Partner with plant leadership to establish and execute a high-performing employee experience.
• Support organizational development initiatives, including engagement surveys, action planning, and leadership development.
• Train and coach leaders on setting expectations, recognizing performance, and effectively addressing performance concerns.
• Communicate HR policies and procedures clearly and consistently.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to the site HR team.
• Handle sensitive employee information with the highest level of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.

What You Bring

You're someone who can walk onto the plant floor, connect with employees, coach a leader, analyze the data, and then sit at the leadership table and help shape strategy.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience.
• 2+ years of HR leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and employee relations.
• Demonstrated ability to influence, coach, and challenge leaders in a constructive way.
• Experience supporting HR within a manufacturing, plant, distribution, or other operational environment is highly desirable.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and timekeeping systems.
• Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with employees at all levels.
• Strong judgment, attention to detail, and organizational skills.
• A high level of integrity and the ability to manage highly confidential information.
• HR certification is preferred.

The Person We're Looking For…

You're not just an HR administrator. You're a business-minded HR leader. You understand that great employee experiences don't happen by accident. You know how to build relationships, earn credibility, have difficult conversations, coach leaders, and create practical solutions that work in the real world. You bring both heart and backbone to HR. You're approachable and trusted, but you're also willing to hold leaders and employees accountable when necessary. You're comfortable operating in a fast-paced plant environment and aren't afraid to get out from behind your desk. You understand the connection between people, culture, safety, productivity, and business performance. Most importantly, you want to make an impact—not simply check boxes.