Plant Director of HR

The Director of Human Resources is a key strategic and operational leader responsible for overseeing all HR functions for a large, complex manufacturing plant of 300+ employees. This individual will manage a multi-shift environment, lead union and employee relations, drive safety and EHS programs, oversee training and workforce development, and ensure effective administration of HR systems, policies, and procedures. The HR Director must bring strong leadership, stability, and positivity-maintaining high morale and operational excellence even in a high-pressure environment, including periods of organizational transition or plant shutdown preparation.

Key Responsibilities

HR Leadership & Strategy

• Provide overall leadership and direction for HR operations at a 1100+ employee manufacturing plant.

• Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute HR strategies that support business goals, operational needs, and workforce stability.

• Maintain a culture of positivity, professionalism, and energy-even amid operational disruptions, high-intensity environments, or planned plant shutdown activity.

Employee Relations & Union Management

• Serve as the primary HR contact for all union matters, ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements and fostering productive labor-management relationships.

• Manage grievance processes, investigations, corrective actions, and conflict resolution.

• Ensure consistent interpretation and application of policies, contracts, and plant procedures.

Safety, EHS & Security

• Oversee plant safety and environmental health (EHS) programs to ensure full compliance with OSHA, state, and federal regulations.

• Partner with operations and safety teams to improve safety culture, reduce incidents, and enhance training programs.

• Oversee plant security, access control, and emergency preparedness procedures.

Plant HR Operations

• Oversee HR administration including attendance programs, benefits coordination, payroll interface, and HRIS accuracy.

• Manage complex attendance and scheduling systems across multiple shifts.

• Support staffing, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and workforce planning for all plant departments.

• Ensure proper reporting, documentation, recordkeeping, and compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements.

Training & Development

• Lead plant training programs including onboarding, compliance training, job-specific training, and leadership development.

• Assess training needs and implement programs that improve employee capability, safety, and engagement.

Leadership & Team Management

• Direct and mentor HR staff, EHS personnel, security teams, and administrative support (specify number of direct reports once known).

• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, employee support, and continuous improvement.

• Provide calm, decisive leadership during chaotic or high-stress situations.

Flexibility & Multi-Shift Support

• Maintain a flexible schedule to support a 24/7 or multi-shift operation-working more than an 8-hour day when required to meet plant needs.

• Be available on-site for key events, investigations, shift meetings, safety issues, and urgent matters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (Master's preferred).

• 7+ years of progressive HR leadership experience in manufacturing or heavy industrial environments.

• Strong experience managing unionized workforces and labor relations.

• Proven leadership of HR teams, safety/EHS programs, and security operations.

• Expertise in HR administration, attendance systems, HRIS, and policy implementation.

• Demonstrated ability to lead through change, ambiguity, or plant shutdown conditions while maintaining employee morale and operational continuity.

• Excellent communication, influencing, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work flexible hours and support multi-shift operations.