Talent Acquisition Partner – Skilled Trades

Waupaca Foundry, Inc.; Waupaca (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short and long term disability

Life insurance

401(k)

Employer funded retirement plan

Paid vacations/holidays

Wellness program

Fitness membership

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job summary

Waupaca Foundry, Inc. is seeking a Talent Acquisition Partner – Skilled Trades to lead recruiting strategies and build talent pipelines within the organization. This role focuses on influencing workforce decisions and driving long-term talent outcomes in alignment with business needs.

The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in recruiting, particularly in manufacturing or skilled trades, and possess strong strategic thinking and relationship-building skills. The role includes mentoring others and participating in employer branding initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive recruiting, talent acquisition, or workforce development experience.
• Experience in manufacturing or skilled trades recruitment preferred.
• Demonstrated success influencing leaders and driving talent-related outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide recruiting strategies for critical positions.
• Develop workforce plans aligned to business objectives.
• Build and maintain strategic talent pipelines.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Business Acumen

Influence

Consultative Partnership

Workforce Planning

Relationship Building

Data-Driven Decision Making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, or related field

Job description

Talent Acquisition Partner – Skilled Trades

The Talent Acquisition Partner – Skilled Trades serves as a strategic enterprise talent advisor responsible for scaling recruiting capabilities, influencing workforce decisions, and driving long‑term talent outcomes across Waupaca Foundry. This role partners with senior leaders, HR, and operational stakeholders to develop workforce planning strategies, talent pipelines, and recruiting initiatives that support current and future business needs. Beyond individual requisition ownership, this position focuses on enterprise impact through talent intelligence, workforce development partnerships, process improvement, employer branding, and mentoring others within the Talent Acquisition function.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead enterprise-wide recruiting strategies for critical, technical, leadership, and hard-to-fill positions.
• Partner with business leaders to develop workforce plans aligned to short- and long-term business objectives.
• Provide labor market intelligence, talent insights, and recruiting recommendations to leadership teams.
• Build and maintain strategic talent pipelines to support future workforce demands.
• Develop and manage partnerships with technical schools, colleges, universities, workforce boards, and industry organizations.
• Lead employer branding and talent attraction initiatives to strengthen Waupaca Foundry's employment brand.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts within recruiting processes, candidate experience, and hiring manager experience.
• Identify recruiting trends, workforce risks, and opportunities through data analysis and talent intelligence.
• Lead enterprise recruiting projects and strategic talent initiatives.
• Represent Waupaca Foundry at industry, educational, and community events.
• Partner with HR and operational leaders on succession planning, workforce development, and talent pipeline strategies.

SCOPE & ACCOUNTABILITY

• Enterprise-wide influence across multiple business units, functions, and locations.
• Own talent pipeline strategies, workforce partnerships, and recruiting initiatives that impact organizational performance.
• Provide thought leadership and strategic recommendations to HR and business leaders.
• Lead complex recruiting projects and enterprise-wide talent initiatives.
• Serve as a mentor and internal consultant to recruiters and hiring leaders.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Thinking
• Business Acumen
• Influence
• Consultative Partnership
• Workforce Planning
• Relationship Building
• Data-Driven Decision Making

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, Communications, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of progressive recruiting, talent acquisition, workforce development, or talent management experience.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, skilled trades, technical, engineering, or professional recruiting preferred.
• Demonstrated success influencing leaders and driving talent-related business outcomes.
• Experience leading projects, partnerships, or strategic recruiting initiatives.

BENEFITS

• Short and long term disability
• Life insurance
• 401(k)
• Employer funded retirement plan
• Paid vacations/holidays
• Wellness program
• Fitness membership
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Waupaca Foundry is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.