Local Manager- Human Resources (Skokie, IL)

SUMMARY

We are seeking a bold, independent leader who is ready to hit the ground running and take charge of building a strong, high-performing team. This individual must be proactive, decisive, and unafraid to speak up, driving meaningful change from day one. Key qualities include: 1. Assertive, visionary leader who takes initiative, inspires confidence, and positions the organization as a dynamic, cohesive force—both internally and externally. 2. Demonstrated success leading complex change initiatives with a clear track record of overcoming resistance and achieving results in fast-paced environments. 3. Unshakeable adaptability and agility—able to pivot quickly and manage ambiguity while keeping teams focused and aligned with strategic goals. 4. Tenacious and resilient under pressure, with the courage to face obstacles head-on and the confidence to make tough calls when needed. 5. Exceptional communicator who articulates a clear vision, engages diverse audiences, and addresses concerns directly and transparently. 6. Team builder with a collaborative mindset, capable of breaking down silos and rallying cross-functional teams around a shared mission. 7. Influential and persuasive, able to earn trust and secure buy-in from key stakeholders across all levels of the organization. 8. Culturally astute, with the ability to understand, respect, and shape organizational culture while fostering psychological safety during periods of transition. 9. Ethically grounded, with a strong moral compass and commitment to transparency and accountability, especially when navigating sensitive issues. 10. Motivator and energizer, capable of creating momentum, building morale, and cultivating a team culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous growth.  

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Talent Acquisition:

· Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies to attract top talent in the food manufacturing industry.

· Lead recruitment efforts for positions in food manufacturing, ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled candidates.

· Collaborate with hiring managers to understand specific skill requirements for production and quality roles.

· Coordinate and conduct interviews, assess candidates, and make hiring recommendations.

2. Employee Relations:

· Foster a positive working environment by promoting employee engagement and addressing employee concerns.

· Handle employee relations matters, conflict resolution, and ensure fair and consistent application of company policies.

· Implement initiatives to enhance communication and collaboration among production teams.

3. Training and Development:

· Identify training needs within the organization and collaborate with various departments to design and implement training programs.

· Facilitate employee development initiatives to enhance job knowledge, while working closely with management to assess and address skills gaps within the workforce.

· Identify and provide training programs tailored to manufacturing processes, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.

4. Compensation and Benefits:

· Administer and manage compensation programs, ensuring competitive and equitable pay practices- specific to industry benchmarks and the demands of manufacturing roles.

· Oversee employee benefits programs and ensure compliance with regulations.

5. Performance Management:

· Implement and manage performance appraisal processes to evaluate employee performance and

provide feedback with an emphasis on continuous improvement.

· Work with managers to set performance goals and expectations.

· Develop performance metrics for production roles and establish goals that align with manufacturing efficiency and quality standards.

6. HR Policies and Compliance:

· Develop and update HR policies in compliance with relevant labor laws and regulations.

· Stay informed about industry trends and changes in employment laws to ensure the organization's compliance.

· Ensure compliance with industry-specific regulations, such as food safety standards and occupational health and safety requirements.

· Develop and communicate policies that address the unique challenges of a manufacturing environment.

7. Safety, Wellness and Environmental:

· Oversee and collaborate with safety and wellness teams to promote a safe and healthy work environment.

· Implement wellness initiatives that support the physical well-being of manufacturing employees and enforce safety protocols in alignment with manufacturing best practices.

· Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.

· Manage and oversee all customer specific audits related to HR and Safety.

8. Workers’ Compensation Management

· Own and oversee the entire workers' compensation process, from incident reporting to claim resolution.

· Develop and implement effective strategies to minimize workplace injuries and ensure a safe working environment.

· Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to investigate and assess workers' compensation claims promptly.

· Collaborate with insurance providers and legal teams to facilitate the resolution of workers' compensation claims.

9. Data Management:

· Maintain accurate and confidential employee records and HR databases.

· Generate reports and analytics to support HR decision-making.

· Manage HR data related to manufacturing staff, including certifications, training records, and compliance documentation.

· Generate reports on workforce performance and compliance metrics specific to the food manufacturing sector, DOL, etc.

10. Payroll Ownership

· Manage end-to-end payroll processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.

· Stay updated on payroll regulations, contributing to policy development.

· Ensure seamless integration of payroll systems and software upgrades.

11. Strategic Planning:

· Develop and execute HR strategies that align with the overall business objectives.

· Contribute to strategic planning efforts that align HR initiatives with the unique goals and challenges of food manufacturing.

· Collaborate with leadership to drive organizational effectiveness and success.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

· Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus.

· 5+ years of experience in Human Resources Management, with a focus in the food manufacturing industry.

· Strong knowledge of employment laws, regulations, and industry best practices.

· Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.

· Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and departments.

· HR certification (e.g., PHR, SPHR) is advantageous.

· In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and industry-specific compliance requirements.

· Strong understanding of production processes and the ability to align HR strategies with manufacturing objectives.