Human Resources Director

East Longmeadow, MA, US

Requisition ID: 2273

Full job description

The HR Director acts as a strategic business partner and transformation leader within a unionized manufacturing environment.

The role is responsible for shaping and executing a forward-looking people strategy aligned with operational priorities, with a strong focus on leadership culture transformation, organizational effectiveness, and sustainable performance.

This position plays a critical role in coaching and challenging plant leadership, strengthening leadership capability across all levels, and enabling the shift toward a high-performance, accountable, and engaged shopfloor culture, in close collaboration with union representatives and stakeholders.

In addition, the role provides leadership to the local HR team, fostering a high-performing, customer-focused HR function through coaching, development, clear prioritization, and effective team management to ensure delivery of business and people objectives.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

 Act as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to plant leadership, translating business priorities into a clear people agenda

 Drive leadership culture transformation, focusing on accountability, ownership, and performance at all levels

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, performance management, and succession planning and development for HR team members

 Coach and challenge leaders to elevate leadership effectiveness and decision-making

 Lead and support organizational change and transformation initiatives, ensuring adoption and sustainability

 Manage and develop labor relations in a unionized context, ensuring constructive dialogue and compliance with collective agreements

 Foster a climate of trust, transparency, and engagement with employees and social partners

 Lead workforce planning and talent strategy, ensuring future capability and succession for key roles

 Challenge recruitment and talent decisions to raise the bar on capability and long-term impact

 Drive organizational effectiveness and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with operational excellence (Lean mindset)

 Leverage HR data and KPIs to provide insight-driven recommendations to leadership

 Ensure compliance with labor laws, company policies, and ethical standards

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

 Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior strategic HR leadership in manufacturing environments

 Strong people management skills

 Strong experience in union and labor relations

 Proven track record as a strategic HR business partner driving cultural and leadership transformation

 Experience coaching and influencing senior leaders in complex operational environments

 Demonstrated success in organizational change and transformation programs

 Strong analytical capabilities and experience with HR data and metrics

KPIs

 Improvement in leadership effectiveness and engagement scores

 Progress on culture transformation initiatives and adoption

 Stability and quality of labor relations and absence of escalations

 Talent pipeline strength and succession readiness for key roles

 Employee engagement and retention metrics

 Delivery of HR initiatives aligned with business priorities

CORE COMPETENCIES

 Strong strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution

 Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills

 Ability to challenge constructively and coach leaders

 Change leadership and transformation mindset

 Strong understanding of industrial / manufacturing environments

 Data-driven and analytical decision-making

 Resilience and ability to operate in complex, unionized settings

WORKING CONDITIONS

 Regular presence on the shopfloor in a manufacturing environment

 Close collaboration with plant leadership and union representatives

 Exposure to operational and transformation topics

 Limited travel as required

DISCLAIMER

Content may evolve based on business needs

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Ability to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods while conducting meetings, reviewing information, and performing computer-based work.

• Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other standard office equipment.

• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, leaders, external vendors, and business partners in person, by phone, and through virtual platforms.

• Occasional movement throughout office, manufacturing, warehouse, or distribution environments to support business operations and employee relations activities.

• May occasionally be required to lift and carry materials weighing up to 15 pounds, such as files, documents, presentation materials, or technology equipment.

Benefits:

• 401(k)

• 401(k) matching

• Dental insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible spending account

• Health insurance

• Health savings account

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Parental leave

• Professional development assistance

• Referral program

• Retirement plan

• Tuition reimbursement

• Vision insurance

Experience:

• union relations: 5 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: In person