Sr HR Generalist

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies S.a.s. di Externa Italia S.r.l.u.; Findlay (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Freudenberg Sealing Technologies S.a.s. di Externa Italia S.r.l.u. is seeking an HR Generalist to own day-to-day programs and lifecycle activities, including payroll, leaves, ADA accommodations, and compliance.

You will partner with employees and leaders to guide employee relations and performance management, and support labor relations with site leadership in a manufacturing environment. The role emphasizes data-driven HR planning, KPI ownership, and a path toward HR Manager responsibilities,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in HR/related field.
• Approximately 5+ years of progressive HR Generalist experience.
• Experience in manufacturing or industrial environments valued.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day HR programs and employee lifecycle activities including payroll, leaves, ADA, workers' comp, attendance, benefits, and HR compliance.
• Serve as HR partner to employees and leaders; guide on employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, investigations, and workplace concerns.
• Support labor/employee relations with site leadership to improve engagement and relationships in a manufacturing setting.
• Own and analyze HR KPIs and workforce metrics; translate data into improvement plans for retention, attendance, engagement, and productivity.
• Partner with business leaders on workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, and people strategies.
• Lead and support HR projects and continuous improvement to strengthen HR effectiveness and deliver measurable results.
• Develop toward broader HR Manager responsibility through succession planning and leadership in site HR.

Skills

Payroll

LOA/FMLA

ADA

Workers' comp

Employee relations

Performance management

Employment-law compliance

Leadership

HR analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or a related field

Tools

HRIS

Excel

MS Office

Job description

Responsibilities:

• Own day-to-day HR programs and employee lifecycle activities, including payroll administration, leaves of absence, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, attendance, benefits support, and HR compliance, ensuring accurate and consistent execution.
• Serve as a trusted HR partner to employees and leaders, providing guidance on employee relations, performance management, policy interpretation, corrective action, investigations, conflict resolution, and workplace concerns.
• Support labor and employee relations activities, partnering with site leadership to proactively address workforce issues, strengthen employee engagement, and maintain productive working relationships in a manufacturing environment.
• Own and analyze key HR KPIs and workforce metrics, identifying trends and translating data into practical improvement plans that strengthen retention, attendance, engagement, productivity, and overall organizational effectiveness.
• Partner with business and operations leaders on workforce planning, organizational needs, talent development, succession planning, and people strategies that support both immediate priorities and long-term business objectives.
• Lead and support HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives, using strong problem-solving and change-management skills to improve processes, strengthen HR effectiveness, and deliver measurable business results.
• Develop toward broader HR Manager responsibility through a structured succession and development path, building capability in strategic HR leadership, business planning, organizational effectiveness, talent management, and leadership of the site HR function.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations, or a related field, with approximately 5+ years of progressive HR Generalist experience; substantial equivalent HR experience considered where appropriate.
• Strong hands-on experience across multiple HR disciplines, including payroll, LOA/FMLA, ADA, workers' compensation, employee relations, performance management, investigations, and employment-law compliance.
• Demonstrated employee and/or labor relations experience in a manufacturing, industrial, distribution, or similarly fast-paced operational environment, with the confidence to advise both frontline employees and leaders.
• Proven ability to own HR metrics or KPIs, analyze workforce trends, identify root causes, and lead measurable improvement actions rather than simply reporting data.
• Demonstrated progression beyond transactional HR, with experience partnering with business leaders, influencing decisions, solving complex people issues, and connecting HR priorities to operational objectives.
• Strong leadership aptitude, business acumen, strategic thinking, communication, judgment, and change-management capability, with the ability to build credibility across hourly, professional, and leadership populations.
• Demonstrated potential and motivation to progress into an HR Manager role, including the ability to take increasing ownership of site HR strategy, workforce planning, talent development, organizational effectiveness, and leadership responsibilities.

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership