<p>Pay Range: $144,000/yr. - $170,000/yr. based on experience and qualifications</p> <p>The Human Resources Manager will serve as the HR lead for our new food manufacturing facility, supporting a diverse workforce in a fast-paced, highly regulated production environment. This role partners closely with plant leadership to drive staffing, employee engagement, compliance, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate has experience in food manufacturing or similar 24/7 production environments and has successfully supported non-union facilities through strong employee relations and proactive engagement strategies.</p> <p>ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:</p> <p>Employee Relations & Culture</p> <ul> <li>Build a positive employee relations environment focused on communication, trust, and respect. </li><li>Maintain a visible presence on the production floor to understand workplace issues and employee concerns. </li><li>Investigate employee complaints promptly and recommend appropriate corrective actions. </li><li>Coach and train supervisors on leadership, communication, and consistent policy application. </li></ul> <p>Employee Relations Strategy</p> <ul> <li>Support staff through proactive engagement, responsive issue resolution, and manager effectiveness. </li><li>Monitor employee sentiment and identify early indicators of dissatisfaction. </li><li>Train leaders on lawful, respectful communication in accordance with labor laws. </li><li>Partner with corporate HR and legal to align employee relations practices. </li></ul> <p>Recruitment & Workforce Planning</p> <ul> <li>Participate in full-cycle recruitment for hourly and salaried roles, including production, sanitation, maintenance, and quality. </li><li>Support staffing strategies for shift-based and 24/7 operations. </li><li>Support onboarding and orientation programs aligned with safety, GMPs, and company culture. </li></ul> <p>Compliance & Food Safety Support</p> <ul> <li>Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including Connecticut requirements. </li><li>Partner with Safety on OSHA compliance, workers' compensation, and return-to-work programs. </li></ul> <p>Training, Performance & HR Operations</p> <ul> <li>Coordinate employee and leadership training including harassment prevention, and performance management. </li><li>Guide managers through performance reviews, coaching, and corrective action documentation. </li><li>Oversee HRIS data integrity, attendance tracking, and benefits administration. </li><li>Track HR metrics such as turnover, absenteeism, and retention and report trends to leadership. </li></ul> <p>EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field. </li><li>5+ years of HR experience in manufacturing, food production, or a similar environment. </li><li>Experience supporting non-union environments through strong employee relations practices. </li><li>Working knowledge of federal and Connecticut employment laws. </li><li>Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills. </li><li>Ability to work in a fast-paced, shift-based manufacturing environment. </li><li>Experience in food manufacturing, CPG, beverage, bakery, or meat processing preferred </li><li>Bilingual English/Spanish highly preferred </li><li>Professional HR certification (PHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP). </li><li>Experience supporting a new facility startup. </li></ul> <p>PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENT:</p> <ul> <li>The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those required to perform this job's essential functions. </li><li>This position is primarily sedentary and requires the ability to sit for extended periods, work at a computer, and communicate effectively via phone, video conferencing, and email. </li><li>Occasional travel to company locations, job sites, or hiring events may be required. </li><li>Must comply with all applicable workplace safety standards and regulations while working on-site or visiting company facilities. </li><li>Ability to work remotely as assigned, including maintaining reliable high-speed internet access, a secure and productive home workspace, and availability during core business hours. </li><li>Must be able to effectively use collaboration and communication tools (e.g., email, video conferencing platforms, applicant tracking systems) to remain connected and responsive while working remotely. </li></ul>