Payroll & HR Manager

Location: Belle Plain, Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52771

Payroll & HR Manager

Belle Plaine, MN | Onsite 5 Days/week

SkyWater’s client is seeking a Payroll & HR Manager to join its leadership team at its headquarters in Jordan, Minnesota.

This is a unique opportunity to step into a highly visible role supporting a growing specialty organization that performs restoration and preservation projects across the United States. The company is known for its family-oriented culture, long-tenured employees, approachable leadership team, and commitment to investing in people, processes, and technology.

The Payroll & HR Manager will serve as the organization’s subject matter expert for payroll operations while also supporting key HR functions including onboarding, employee support, compliance, benefits administration, and HR systems.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys balancing day-to-day execution with process improvement and wants the opportunity to help modernize systems while supporting a dynamic field-based workforce.

What You’ll Be Doing

Lead end-to-end payroll processing for a multi-state workforce
Ensure compliance with certified payroll, prevailing wage, and Davis-Bacon requirements
Manage employee records, onboarding, offboarding, and HR documentation
Serve as a resource for employees and managers regarding payroll, benefits, and HR policies
Partner with leadership to improve payroll and HR processes
Support implementation and optimization of Arcoro ATS and onboarding systems
Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations
Coordinate benefits administration and employee communications
Develop reporting and metrics to improve operational efficiency

What We’re Looking For

5+ years of payroll experience, preferably within construction, engineering, specialty trades, or project-based environments
Experience processing multi-state payroll
Exposure to certified payroll, prevailing wage, or Davis-Bacon requirements strongly preferred
Understanding of job costing, multiple pay rates, workers’ compensation classifications, and field employee payroll administration
Working knowledge of HR processes including onboarding, employee relations, benefits, and compliance
Strong attention to detail and process orientation
Ability to work onsite and collaborate with employees across the organization

Why Join?

Established and respected specialty organization with decades of success
Family-oriented culture with approachable leadership
Significant visibility and ownership within the organization
Strong transition and mentorship from current leader
Opportunity to influence systems, processes, and future growth
Investment in technology and operational improvement initiatives
Salary Midpoint: $97,500 based on experience

If you’re a payroll professional who enjoys ownership, problem-solving, and supporting a growing organization, I would love to connect with you. Please apply using the link below or send me your resume and availability to meet virtually at DSmith@skywatersearch.com

Human Resources Manager

Location: Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52754

Are you a strategic HR leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment? SkyWater is partnering with a leading manufacturer in the Detroit Lakes area to hire their Human Resources Manager. In this role, you’ll partner closely with business leaders to shape talent strategies, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and foster a high-performing, engaged workforce. This is an opportunity to make a visible impact by connecting people strategies to business results while supporting both hourly and salaried employees’ day-to-day HR needs.

Plant HR Business Partner

Location: Anoka , Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52665

SkyWater is partnering with a long-standing industrial technology client who is looking for an experienced HR Business Partner to support their growing business in the north metro.

In this role, you would have the benefit of being part of a large, highly skilled, and collaborative HR team while also having the autonomy, ownership, and accountability of supporting your own client group on all talent management matters.

This role operates withing a manufacturing plant environment and required to be onsite 5 days/week.

Human Resources Director

Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52654

Our client is a well-established organization with a strong operational footprint and a collaborative, team-oriented culture. The company is seeking a strategic and hands-on HR leader to oversee all aspects of Human Resources while serving as a key member of the Leadership Team.

The Director of Human Resources will lead the overall HR strategy and execution for the organization, overseeing talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, compensation and benefits, payroll oversight, workers’ compensation, return to work programs, compliance, organizational development, and HR operations.

This individual will partner closely with leadership to support business objectives while fostering a positive, high-performing, and employee-focused culture. The ideal candidate is both strategic and operational, with the ability to influence leaders, drive organizational initiatives, and remain hands-on in day-to-day HR functions.

Administrative Assistant

Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52616

SkyWater Search Partners is partnering with a highly respected, mission-driven organization in the west metro to identify an Administrative Assistant to support a senior executive team in a fast-paced, highly visible environment. This position will work closely with executive leadership and play a key role in helping maintain efficient day-to-day operations.

This opportunity is ideal for a polished, proactive, service-oriented administrative professional who enjoys staying organized, managing multiple priorities, and operating with a high level of professionalism and discretion. The team is looking for someone who is detail-oriented, dependable, and capable of anticipating needs in a dynamic environment.

Human Resources Director

Location: Albert Lea, Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52589

SkyWater is partnering with a growing, private equity-backed food manufacturer to find their next plant Human Resources Director in Southern Minnesota. This role leads a small team and is responsible for both strategic direction and day-to-day HR operations, talent management, compliance, and employee experience.

Administrative Assistant

Location: Edina, Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52568

SkyWater Search is partnering with a highly successful, fast-paced organization to identify an experienced Administrative Assistant to support a senior leadership office. This is a great opportunity for someone who thrives in a high-expectation environment and enjoys being a key operational partner behind the scenes.

This role will work closely with executive leadership and serve as a critical support resource, helping to manage day-to-day priorities, keep operations running smoothly, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. It’s a highly visible position that requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to handle a wide range of responsibilities with professionalism and discretion.

This is an opportunity to step into a trusted role where your work will directly support senior leaders and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the organization. If you take pride in being the person who keeps everything running seamlessly, this could be a great fit.

Customer Service Team Leader

Location: Paynesville, Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52560

SkyWater is partnering with a leading building materials and millwork company that distributes their products nationwide. Our client has a strong reputation for customer service and operational excellence.

We are seeking a Customer Service Team Leader to continue the tradition of customer service excellence. This role balances people leadership with hands-on customer service, ensuring order accuracy, timely communication, and commitment to quality.

This role is onsite in Belgrade, Minnesota.

Human Resources Generalist

Location: Plymouth, Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52543

SkyWater Search Partners is representing one of our long-standing, growth-oriented industrial distribution clients as the organization is seeking a well-rounded HR Generalist to support a broad range of human resources functions. This is a highly visible, hands-on role supporting day-to-day HR operations while also contributing to key strategic initiatives, including HRIS implementation and process improvements.

This individual will partner closely with leadership and act as a true “do-it-all” HR resource, supporting everything from recruiting and employee relations to payroll and compliance.

The salary range for this position is between $65,000 – $95,000 (based on experience) + full benefits.

Chief People Officer

Location: Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Type: Direct Hire
Job #52515

The Chief People Officer (CPO) is a core member of the Senior Executive Team at Restaurant Technologies, responsible for leading the people strategy in direct support of the company’s business priorities, operating model, and long-term performance.
This role requires a leader who deeply understands how the business works and can translate strategy into people decisions that materially improve execution, leadership effectiveness, and results. At the same time, the CPO must be a steady, authentic presence for an organization that has experienced meaningful change – someone who builds trust, provides clarity, and helps teams navigate ambiguity with confidence.
The CPO partners closely with the CEO and senior leadership team to balance performance and growth with care, accountability with humility, and rigor with empathy—ensuring the organization remains resilient, engaged, and focused on what matters most.
As with all leaders at Restaurant Technologies, the CPO is expected to demonstrate the company’s values of Customer, Character, Commitment, Community, and Courage through actions, decisions, and leadership behaviors.

Enterprise Business Leadership & Partnership
Business-Focused Advisor: Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive team, providing clear, practical guidance on workforce strategy, leadership effectiveness, organization design, and talent tradeoffs grounded in business realities.
Business Acumen: Understand how the company creates value (growth drivers, margin pressures, operational challenges) and aligns people priorities directly to those dynamics.
Executive Partnership: Contribute as a full enterprise leader, influencing decisions beyond traditional HR topics when people, structure, or leadership choices affect outcomes.
Operating with Ambiguity: Help leaders and teams navigate periods of change and transformation with thoughtfulness, clarity, and calm leadership.

Human Capital & Functional Excellence
End to End People Leadership: Lead all core people functions including talent acquisition, talent management, compensation and benefits, learning and development, employee relations, HR operations, and HR technology.
Scalable Foundations: Ensure people processes and systems are practical, effective, and scalable – supporting growth without unnecessary complexity.
Compliance & Sound Judgment: Maintain compliance with employment laws and regulations while exercising judgment in complex or nuanced situations.
Data-Informed Decisions: Use people data, analytics, and technology to inform priorities, measure impact, and continuously improve outcomes.

Talent, Leadership & Capability Enablement
Talent Strategy with Purpose: Focus talent investments on the roles and capabilities most critical to executing strategy and driving value.
Succession & Continuity: Lead succession planning and leadership pipeline efforts to ensure organizational stability and readiness.
Performance & Accountability: Design and sustain performance management approaches that reinforce clarity, fairness, and accountability.
Leadership Development: Strengthen leader and manager effectiveness so expectations are clear, feedback is consistent, and teams are supported.

Culture, Change & Employee Impact
Cultural Stewardship: Reinforce a culture grounded in trust, respect, accountability, and shared purpose – protecting what works while evolving what no longer serves the business.
Change Leadership: Support and guide the organization through change by strengthening communication, building leadership capability, and addressing employee concerns proactively.
Employee Impact: Shape an employee experience where people feel informed, respected, and equipped to do their best work.
Listening to Learn: Use engagement data and employee feedback to identify real issues, take action, and measure improvement.

Board & Stakeholder Engagement
Board Partnership: Provide clear, relevant updates to the Board on talent, leadership, engagement, succession, and workforce risks—framed through a business lens. Leads Compensation & Talent Committee.
Stakeholder Alignment: Partner effectively with key stakeholders to ensure people strategies support enterprise priorities.
External Representation: Represent Restaurant Technologies in a way that reflects credibility, integrity, and leadership maturity.

Job Category: Human Resources (HR)