Position Summary
The Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition is responsible for leading and executing end-to-end recruiting strategy for a manufacturing organization, supporting hourly, salaried, technical, engineering, and leadership hiring. This role partners closely with plant leadership, HR, and executive teams to build scalable talent pipelines that support operational growth, workforce stability, and long-term succession planning.
This leader will balance hands-on recruiting with strategic workforce planning , process optimization, and employer branding across multiple manufacturing sites.
Key Responsibilities
Talent Acquisition Strategy & Leadership
- Develop and execute enterprise-wide talent acquisition strategies aligned with business and production goals
- Lead, mentor, and develop internal recruiters and / or external recruiting partners
- Serve as a trusted advisor to plant managers, operations leaders, and executives on hiring strategy and market trends
Manufacturing & Operations Hiring
Oversee recruiting for :Hourly production & skilled tradesMaintenance, engineering, quality, EHS, and supply chain rolesSupervisors, managers, and senior leadership positionsPartner closely with plant leadership to forecast workforce needs and reduce time-to-fillSupport rapid hiring needs for new product launches, expansions, and plant start-upsProcess Optimization & Metrics
Implement best-in-class recruiting processes, workflows, and ATS utilizationTrack and report key metrics : time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, quality of hire, retention, and diversity metricsContinuously improve candidate experience and hiring manager engagementEmployer Branding & Talent Pipelines
Strengthen employer brand within local and national manufacturing labor marketsBuild sustainable pipelines through :Technical schools, trade programs, and universitiesVeteran and diversity recruiting initiativesReferral programs and community partnershipsCompliance & Best Practices
Ensure all recruiting practices comply with employment laws and company policiesPromote DE&I initiatives throughout the hiring lifecycleQualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field8+ years of progressive talent acquisition experience, with significant exposure to manufacturing or industrial environments3+ years in a leadership or senior management roleProven experience hiring at scale across hourly, technical, and professional rolesStrong knowledge of labor markets, wage trends, and manufacturing workforce challengesPreferred
Experience supporting multi-site or multi-plant operationsFamiliarity with high-mix / low-volume or automotive manufacturing environmentsExperience implementing or optimizing ATS and recruitment technologySHRM, PHR / SPHR, or similar certification