HR Manager
HR Manager
Manufacturing | Central IL | Onsite Daily
If you’re the kind of HR professional who loves rolling up your sleeves, building relationships on the production floor, and owning the full employee experience from hire to retire, this opportunity was built for you.
We’re partnering with a long-time client, a highly respected, growth-oriented manufacturer, to help identify an HR Manager who will serve as the dedicated HR leader for one of its production facilities in Central Illinois This is an outstanding opportunity for a Senior HR Generalist ready to step into their first HR Manager title, or an experienced HR Manager who still enjoys being deeply involved in the day-to-day work of Human Resources.
This is not a role where HR sits on the sidelines. You’ll be the trusted resource for approximately 160-170 employees and their leaders, balancing employee advocacy with business partnership while ensuring the operation runs smoothly every day.
What You’ll Do
You’ll own the full spectrum of site Human Resources responsibilities, including:
- Lead full-cycle recruiting for hourly and salaried positions
- Coordinate interviews, prepare offers, and manage onboarding from acceptance through orientation
- Serve as the primary HR resource for employees and leaders throughout the employee lifecycle
- Provide guidance on employee relations, coaching managers through employee issues while partnering on appropriate solutions
- Support performance management, policy interpretation, investigations, and compliance
- Administer HR processes, employee documentation, recordkeeping, and reporting
- Assist employees with benefits questions and coordinate with corporate resources and vendors
- Partner with operations leaders to support workforce planning, engagement, and retention initiatives
- Support training and onboarding activities while additional organizational resources continue to evolve
- Ensure HR practices remain compliant with employment laws, company policies, and manufacturing best practices
What Makes Someone Successful Here
The most successful person in this role won’t necessarily be the one with the longest resume; they’ll be someone who genuinely enjoys the operational side of HR.
You’ll thrive if you:
- Enjoy balancing recruiting, employee relations, HR administration, and daily problem-solving
- Take pride in staying organized and following through on commitments
- Build trust easily with both production employees and leaders
- Like working independently while having a larger HR team available for partnership and support
- Are comfortable making decisions, prioritizing competing needs, and owning your work
- Appreciate spending time where the business happens, on the manufacturing floor with employees, and behind your desk managing everything administrative.
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Progressive Human Resources experience in a manufacturing, distribution, or industrial environment
- Strong HR Generalist experience across recruiting, employee relations, benefits, onboarding, compliance, and HR administration
- Experience supporting hourly manufacturing populations
- Working knowledge of employment law and HR best practices
- Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills
- Ability to work onsite full-time in Central Illinois
SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certifications are welcomed but not required.
Why This Opportunity?
You’ll join a financially strong, values-driven manufacturing organization that believes its people are its competitive advantage. While you’ll be the dedicated HR leader for your location, you’ll also be supported by an experienced corporate HR team that values collaboration, responsiveness, and doing what’s right for employees.
This is a highly visible role with meaningful impact, significant autonomy, and the opportunity to build credibility as a trusted business partner while developing your career within a growing organization.
If you’re looking for an HR role where you can make a difference every day, not just through strategy, but through execution, relationships, and follow-through, we’d love to start a conversation.
Submit Your Resume
ABOUT SKYWATER SEARCH
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Led by a group of seasoned search industry professionals, SkyWater Search Partners brings new focus to a novel concept, “Short List Search.” Our purpose is to leave a lasting impression on the clients we serve by providing individuals who will make a measurable difference in their business. We strive to consistently deliver great results to our clients in a very timely manner.
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Founded on long-standing relationships and hundreds of successful placements throughout the Twin Cities business community, SkyWater Search Partners is a proven resource for clients and candidates looking to quickly and confidently explore their “short list” of best choices. Count on us to find the best people – and the best fit.