Senior Human Resources Manager

Confidential; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a Senior Human Resource Manager to lead the HR function for an aerospace and defense manufacturing organization. You will partner with site and executive leadership to align people strategies with business goals while ensuring compliance with employment laws and quality system expectations.

You will oversee employee relations, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, and training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in HR, business fields, or related.
• At least 10 years of progressive HR experience including leadership roles.
• Experience advising senior leadership on employee relations, org design, workforce planning, and compliance.
• Experience developing or improving performance management, career pathing, and competency models.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR leadership to executive leadership and managers, aligning HR initiatives with business goals.
• Oversee HR programs: employee relations, talent acquisition, onboarding, training, performance, compensation, benefits, HRIS, engagement, retention.
• Guide HR team on complex matters, investigations, discipline, and policy interpretation with proper documentation.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and other functions to support workforce needs and business continuity.
• Lead design and continuous improvement of performance management, career paths, and competency frameworks.

Skills

HR compliance

Employee relations

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Admin, Organizational Development

Master’s degree in HR or related field preferred

Tools

HRIS

Payroll/timekeeping systems

Reporting/Analytics

Job description

The Senior Human Resource Manager is responsible for leading the Human Resources function for an aerospace and defense manufacturing organization. This position serves as a strategic partner to site and executive leadership, aligning people strategies with business objectives while ensuring compliance with applicable employment laws, company policies, customer requirements, and quality management system expectations. The Senior Manager provides leadership in employee relations, talent acquisition, workforce planning, compensation, benefits, performance management, training, organizational development, compliance, and employee engagement. This position provides direct leadership to HR management staff and overall oversight of the HR department team, including generalist and administrative support functions.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic HR leadership and guidance to executive leadership, directors, managers, and supervisors in support of business goals, operational performance, and workforce needs.
• Lead and oversee HR programs and processes, including employee relations, talent acquisition, onboarding, training, performance management, compensation, benefits, HRIS administration, employee engagement, and retention initiatives.
• Provide oversight, guidance, and escalation support to HR team on employee relations matters, while directly handling or supporting more complex, sensitive, high-risk, or escalated matters, including investigations, corrective actions, performance concerns, conflict resolution, separations, and policy interpretation, ensuring consistency, fairness, risk awareness, and appropriate documentation.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, including EEO, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, wage and hour requirements, affirmative action obligations, and other applicable workplace requirements.
• Partner with Operations, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, Program Management, and other functional leaders to identify workforce needs, address organizational challenges, and support business continuity.
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of performance management processes, career paths, job profiles, and competency frameworks to support role clarity, employee development, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness aligned with Corporate.
• Support compliance with quality management system requirements related to employee competency, training records, job qualifications, and documentation for personnel whose work may affect product conformity.
• Lead talent acquisition strategies for exempt and non-exempt positions, including recruiting processes, selection practices, workforce forecasting, internal mobility, and partnership with hiring managers.
• Oversee employee training and development initiatives, including leadership development, compliance training, performance coaching, onboarding, and skills development aligned with business and regulatory needs.
• Provide guidance on compensation practices, market adjustments, job classifications, pay equity considerations, merit planning, and internal consistency in partnership with Finance.
• Lead or support employee engagement, communication, recognition, retention, and culture initiatives that reinforce company values, safety, accountability, teamwork, customer focus, and continuous improvement.
• Manage HR department operations, priorities, staffing, budget considerations, reporting, audits, records retention, and continuous improvement initiatives, including supervision of HR management staff and overall accountability for department support functions.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive employee, business, and compliance information and ensure HR practices reflect professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.
• Stay current on employment law, HR best practices, manufacturing workforce trends, aerospace and defense industry expectations, and regulatory changes that may affect the organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Ability to provide sound, practical, and consistent guidance on complex employee relations and workplace matters.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect HR initiatives to operational goals, customer requirements, and organizational performance.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate sensitive information clearly, professionally, and appropriately.
• Ability to build trust and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels, including hourly employees, supervisors, managers, directors, and executive leadership.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, confidential information, deadlines, audits, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to analyze workforce data, identify trends, develop recommendations, and present information to leadership.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and HRIS systems.
• Understanding of manufacturing operations, safety expectations, training documentation, and quality system requirements preferred.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment in highly sensitive or confidential situations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including HR leadership responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership on employee relations, organizational design, workforce planning, compliance, compensation, performance management, and talent development.
• Experience developing or improving performance management programs, career pathing structures, job profiles, competency models, or related talent management processes.
• Experience leading HR staff, including managers and administrative support roles, managing HR programs, and influencing cross-functional teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Experience with HRIS, payroll/timekeeping systems, reporting, data analysis, and employment-related documentation required.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, Organizational Leadership, or a related field preferred.
• Experience supporting a manufacturing, aerospace, defense, highly regulated, government contracting, or technical operations environment preferred.
• HR certification such as SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, SPHR, or PHR preferred.

The Company

We are a leading manufacturer of highly engineered precision components and systems that support some of the world's most demanding aerospace, defense, marine, and industrial applications.

Our products are designed for environments where reliability, precision, and performance are mission-critical. From defense platforms and naval systems to advanced aerospace technologies, our engineering and manufacturing teams play a vital role in supporting customers whose operations depend on uncompromising quality and technical excellence.

With a global footprint spanning multiple manufacturing and engineering locations, we serve customers across commercial aerospace, military and defense, marine, space, and industrial markets. Our products are often integrated into platforms during the design and qualification stages, creating long-term partnerships that extend throughout the lifecycle of the program.

What sets us apart is our ability to develop customized, high-performance solutions for complex operating environments. By combining deep engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we help our customers solve critical challenges where failure is not an option.

Beyond the technology, we offer employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that impacts national security, supports global transportation and commerce, and advances the next generation of aerospace and defense innovation. Our culture values collaboration, accountability, technical excellence, and the development of talented professionals who are passionate about making a difference.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking individuals who are energized by challenge, motivated by purpose, and excited to help shape the future of mission-critical manufacturing and engineering.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.