Our client is a privately held, family-owned organization generating more than $500 million in annual revenue and employing approximately 1,000 people across a diverse portfolio of businesses serving customers throughout North America. With a long history of growth and an entrepreneurial, decentralized operating model, the company empowers its individual businesses while providing the resources, financial strength, and strategic direction of a unified parent organization. The organization continues to pursue long-term growth through operational excellence, strategic investment, and disciplined expansion. VP – Human Resources The VP – Human Resources leads the Corporate Human Resources and Safety Teams with a companywide perspective, partnering with senior leaders to turn business strategy into actionable initiatives. This role serves as both a catalyst and a competitive advantage by using technology, analytics, and modern practices to deliver measurable business impact while fostering a high-performing, inclusive culture. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, this role drives people and culture strategies that support growth. The VP – Human Resources also serves as a customer-service-focused consultant to the Senior Team, helping align workforce goals and strategies with a safe, compliant, and effective workplace. Responsibilities Human Resources Leadership
Develops and executes comprehensive human resources strategies aligned with corporate objectives and growth initiatives.
Oversees talent acquisition, workforce planning, onboarding, and succession planning processes.
Leads performance management programs, including goal setting, performance evaluations, and leadership development initiatives.
Manages compensation and benefits programs to ensure market competitiveness and alignment with organizational objectives.
Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEOC, and state-specific regulations.
Oversees HRIS data integrity, reporting, and workforce analytics.
Serves as a trusted advisor to executives and managers regarding employee relations, investigations, conflict resolution, and organizational development matters.
Leads recruitment strategy for senior-level positions and partners with executives on candidate selection decisions.
Manages company compensation program research and provides recommendations to support competitiveness across applicable markets.
Oversees manager training initiatives that support leadership effectiveness, compliance, and consistent people management practices.
Safety & Compliance Leadership
Partners with the Safety Manager to develop, implement, and continuously improve corporate safety programs, policies, and procedures.
Ensures compliance with OSHA, DOT, and other regulatory requirements applicable to the organization’s operations.
Oversees incident investigations, root-cause analyses, and corrective action planning.
Partners with divisional leadership to integrate safety into daily work processes and organizational culture.
Oversees workers’ compensation programs, claims management, and return-to-work processes.
Strategic & Cross-Functional Leadership
Facilitates the leadership team’s strategic planning process, driving alignment around enterprise priorities, key initiatives, and execution plans.
Collaborates with senior leadership to align human resources and safety initiatives with business objectives.
Leads change management efforts related to organizational restructuring, system implementations, and policy updates.
Communicates human resources and safety priorities clearly and effectively across all levels of the organization.
The responsibilities listed above are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position and may not include all essential functions as defined by the ADA. Qualifications
10+ years of experience in a Human Resources Director-level role, required
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field, required
SPHR or SHRM-SCP certification, preferred
Proven ability to lead teams, influence executives, and drive organizational change.
Demonstrated experience overseeing workplace safety programs in a manufacturing, distribution, or similar environment.
Strong knowledge of multi-state, federal, and local laws relating to employment.
HR Generalist – College Recruiting & Safety Focus Saint Paul, MN (Hybrid) $75,000 – $85,000(flexible to ~$90K for the right candidate)
Our client, a growing distribution company with ~250 employees/contractors across seven states, is adding an HR Generalist to their team. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role reporting directly to the HR leader. You’ll get exposure to nearly every facet of HR while owning two key programs: college recruiting and safety.
The Role This is roughly 70% tactical HR generalist work, 30% program ownership. You won’t be the HR business partner for senior leadership, but you’ll have real autonomy over a well-established college recruiting pipeline and the safety program, with meaningful room to grow into additional areas (benefits strategy, culture initiatives, and more) as you show interest and aptitude.
What You’ll Own:
A well-established rotational entry-level sales pipeline program (multiple hires per year): partnering with engineering schools across the Upper Midwest, attending career fairs, and building lasting relationships that create a real talent pipeline (not just a fair-attendance calendar)
Safety program leadership: managing workers’ comp, coordinating OSHA/insurance inspections, biannual training, and first responder certification. Low-risk distribution environment, well-supported by a dedicated safety team.
About the Opportunity: SkyWater Search is conducting a search on behalf our client, which is a well-established, growth-oriented investment and holding company in the St. Cloud area, as they look to hire an Office Manager to be the face and operational heartbeat of their beautifully renovated 40,000 sq ft office space. This role blends reception, hospitality, event planning, and general office and tech support for a close-knit team of about 10 people on-site daily, with the space also hosting board meetings, retreats, and stakeholder events throughout the year.
The Role: This is a highly visible, relationship-driven role for someone who takes pride in creating a polished, welcoming environment. You’ll be the first point of contact for guests and team members, manage the daily rhythm of the office (lunch ordering, snack and drink stocking, catering setup), coordinate quarterly retreats and an annual stakeholder event, and serve as a champion for a local nonprofit community run. You’ll also provide general tech support and act as a steady, organized presence in a space that can be a lot to manage on your own.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SkyWater Search Partners is representing a long-standing, highly-respected institution in Minneapolis as they look to hire a highly organized and proactive Senior Administrative Assistant to support senior leadership and help coordinate a wide range of programs, events, and operational initiatives. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys balancing administrative excellence with meaningful, people-focused work. This role will require an equal balance of organization skills, business communication, creativity and community building.
This is a fully onsite role in Minneapolis that follows typical core business hours, with the occasional Sunday participation.
SkyWater Search Partners is seeking a highly capable and proactive Executive Assistant to serve as a trusted partner to our client’s CEO and Executive Team. This is a critical, high-impact role responsible for ensuring seamless day-to-day operations, supporting strategic initiatives, and acting as a central point of coordination across leadership.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment, anticipates needs, and operates with a high level of professionalism, discretion, and ownership.
Why this role?
Established, stable company with 100+ years of success
Strong culture with long-tenured employees
Meaningful, high-impact work supporting executive leadership
Competitive benefits and a collaborative environment
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601 Carlson Parkway | Suite 900
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55305
