Program Manager, Associate Engagement, Communication, & Culture

Harbor Freight Tools; Joliet (IL); On-site; USD 99,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401k

Paid time off

Job summary

Harbor Freight Tools is seeking a Program Manager of Associate Engagement, Communication, and Culture to lead site-level engagement initiatives at the Distribution Center in Joliet, IL. The role focuses on strengthening culture, morale, and the employer brand through social media, content management, and cross‑functional collaboration.

The ideal candidate will be a passionate leader with experience in social media analytics, content management, project management, marketing and communication,

Qualifications

• Experience leading employee engagement and culture programs.
• Proven ability in social media analytics and intranet content.
• Strong collaboration with DC leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to design recognition and welfare programs.
• Budget management for events and programs.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage the DC’s employee engagement strategies.
• Support leadership onboarding to equip leaders with required tools.
• Maintain DC social media pages and intranet content.
• Develop programs to grow and coach high‑potential leaders.
• Manage Employee Engagement with action plans and progress reports.
• Ensure recognition programs are current, fair, and aligned with principles.
• Develop tools to measure outcomes and trends for continuous improvement.
• Lead engagement and safety committees and align charters.
• Work with external agencies to market Harbor Freight Tools as an employer.
• Lead change and communication programs including print and social posts.
• Plan events (Town Halls, Lunch & Learns) and manage budget.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Social media analytics

Content management

Project management

Marketing

Communication

Job description

The Program Manager of Associate Engagement, Communication, and Culture is responsible for representing their site Distribution Center (DC), supporting the assessment and execution of need-based programs that enhance the overall employee experience, which strengthen organizational culture, effectiveness, and enhance the overall employee morale. The role will collaborate develop and lead initiatives which supports Harbor Freight Tools Brand - as the Employer of Choice – Great Place to Work. The ideal candidate must be a passionate leader with experience in Social Media analytics, Content Management, Project Management, Marketing and Communication.

This position provides organizational best practices to facilitate a culture of employee engagement, community engagement, Diversity, Equity & inclusion initiatives, familiarization with employee affinity/resources groups. The Program Manager of Associate Engagement, Communication, and Culture will provide structure and oversight for Employee and Community Engagement, and employee committees while creating and implementing programs related to employee recognition and welfare, philanthropy, rewards and recognition. This position will be assigned to one DC location, and will collaborate and share best practices to benefit the whole Supply Chain network.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and manage the DC’s employee engagement strategies which create alignment with operational excellence processes while also creating a great place to work environment.
• Provide support to the leadership on-boarding programs to ensure new leaders have the necessary tools, knowledge, skills, consistent with company core principles to successfully lead teams and manage areas of operational responsibility.
• Maintain the DC’s social media pages, bulletin boards, input to Harbor Freight Intranet - HFTV.
• In collaboration with DC senior leadership, design and implement programs and work assignments to further develop those leaders and emerging leaders considered to have high potential.
• Manage the Employee Engagement program to include post survey action plans and monthly updates on progress.
• Ensure that recognition programs are maintained up to date, are relevant, equitable, and in line with HFT core principles
• Develop, utilize, maintain standard measurement tools which identify and track outcomes and trends indicative of continuous improvement (i.e. meeting schedules/agendas applicable to business activity, seasonality, and ad-hoc events occurring in/around the community.
• Responsible for ensuring Employee Engagement, Community, and Safety Committees have clearly defined charters, effective leadership to ensure alignment with their charters, meet regularly, and have success measurement scorecards.
• Work with outside state and local agencies to market Harbor Freight Tools as a great place to work and leverage their programs to build a stronger workforce.
• Lead and act as the point of contact for the distribution center’s change and communication programs inclusive of print and social media posts
• Provide alignment of reward and recognition programs to further organizational goals and objectives.
• Plan and organize events that are both informational and entertaining; to include Town Halls, Lunch and Learns, etc. Manage a budget.
• Other duties as assigned

Scope

• Staff supervision and development: No
• Decision making:
• Primary driver of site-level engagement strategy. Executes programs related to content creation, communications, and events. The role ensures engagement initiatives are within the employee wellfare budget.
• Travel: Up to 10%
• Flex Designation: DC Based

The anticipated salary range for this position is $98,500 – $147,800 depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 200 hours per year (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays, and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.