Senior Human Resources Manager

Zekelman Industries; Rochelle (IL); On-site; USD 113,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Compensation

401(k) with Company Match

Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

Job summary

Zekelman Industries, based in Rochelle, IL, is seeking a Senior Human Resources Manager to drive business results through effective people strategies. This crucial role involves collaborating with plant leadership to enhance workforce engagement and ensure compliance with employment laws.

The ideal candidate will have over eight years in HR within a manufacturing context, showcasing strength in leadership development and employee relations. The role is fully onsite.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience in manufacturing.
• Experience in recruiting, performance management, and compliance.
• Strong knowledge of employment laws and HR practices.

Responsibilities

• Partner with plant leadership for HR strategies.
• Drive employee engagement and retention initiatives.
• Manage full-cycle recruitment process.

Skills

Employee relations expertise

Leadership development

Conflict resolution

Organizational effectiveness

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Human Resources Information Systems (Workday)

Job description

You may not know our name, but you know our products. What we make is part the places where we live, work and play – all day, everyday.

Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We’re proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi‑family housing development.

We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us. Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more.

Come build a career you believe in.

About The Role

As a Senior Human Resources Manager at Zekelman Industries, you will play a key role in driving business results through effective people strategies while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement. This position requires strong leadership, employee relations expertise, business partnership capabilities, and strategic decision‑making skills, and offers the opportunity to contribute directly to workforce development, employee engagement, talent acquisition, and organizational growth. You will collaborate closely with plant leadership, employees, and cross‑functional stakeholders to align workforce strategies with operational objectives, ensuring the facility attracts, develops, and retains top talent while maintaining compliance with employment laws and company policies. This is a fully onsite role located in Rochelle, IL. This role is perfect for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, enjoys building strong relationships, and is passionate about leadership development, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the primary Human Resources partner for plant leadership and employees.


• Partner with operational leaders to align workforce strategies with business objectives and operational goals.


• Provide coaching and guidance on employee relations, leadership effectiveness, performance management, conflict resolution, and organizational development.


• Drive accountability and leadership capability throughout the organization.


• Lead initiatives that enhance employee engagement, retention, and workplace culture.


• Analyze workforce metrics and trends to identify opportunities and recommend solutions that improve organizational performance.


• Lead employee relations activities, including investigations, conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and policy interpretation.


• Ensure consistent application of company policies, practices, and procedures.


• Partner with leaders to manage attendance, performance concerns, corrective actions, and employee development plans.


• Maintain a visible presence throughout the facility and across shifts to strengthen employee relationships and engagement.


• Support organizational change initiatives and workforce transitions.


• Manage the full‑cycle recruitment process, including sourcing, interviewing, selection, offers, onboarding, and workforce integration.


• Develop talent pipelines through partnerships with technical schools, colleges, workforce agencies, and community organizations.


• Partner with leaders to identify current and future staffing needs.


• Support succession planning and workforce development strategies.


• Lead onboarding programs that reinforce safety expectations, company values, and performance standards.


• Identify training and development opportunities that strengthen leadership capabilities and workforce effectiveness.


• Facilitate leadership development initiatives focused on communication, accountability, coaching, and employee engagement.


• Support career development and succession planning efforts.


• Partner with leaders to identify high‑potential employees and develop growth plans.


• Promote a culture where safety is a core value and shared responsibility.


• Partner with Environmental Health and Safety personnel and plant leadership to support regulatory compliance and safety initiatives.


• Participate in incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.


• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.


• Maintain employment‑related records and documentation in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.


• Oversee employee lifecycle processes, including hiring, transfers, promotions, leaves of absence, and terminations.


• Maintain accurate employee information within Workday and other company systems.


• Partner with payroll to review time‑keeping records, resolve discrepancies, and support payroll accuracy.


• Monitor attendance, turnover, engagement, and workforce metrics.


• Coordinate employee communications, recognition programs, meetings, and plant events.


• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.


• Support community outreach, workforce development, and employment branding initiatives.


• Lead or participate in special projects and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Lead and promote healthy and safe work practices as required by regulatory agencies and Company policy.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Who You Are

• 8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.


• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field preferred.


• Experience supporting employee relations, recruiting, performance management, compliance, and leadership development initiatives.


• Demonstrated experience partnering with operational leaders in a manufacturing environment.


• SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.


• Strong knowledge of employment laws, HR compliance requirements, and employee relations practices.


• Strong coaching, conflict resolution, investigation, and problem‑solving skills.


• Ability to influence and build credibility with leaders at all levels of the organization.


• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution.


• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Strong organizational, project management, and analytical skills.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Human Resources Information Systems, preferably Workday.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.


• High level of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and confidentiality.


• Ability to maintain regular, full‑time, predictable onsite attendance.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive Compensation


• Bonus Plan & Profit‑Sharing Opportunities


• 401(k) with Company Match


• Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision Insurance


• Tuition Assistance Program


• Paid Vacation & Holidays


• Employee Loyalty Awards

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary Range: $113,000—$158,000 USD

Additional Compensation May Include

• Performance‑based yearly merit increase


• Profit‑sharing bonus opportunities

EEO Statement

M/F/D/V