Human Resources & Labor Relations Plant Manager

Job Title: HR/Labor Relations Manager

Location: Verona, PA (On-site)

Reports to: Chief Human Resources Officer

Company Overview

• A leading manufacturer that crafts beloved, category-leading brands enjoyed by consumers across North America.

• With over $1 billion in annual revenue and a nationwide manufacturing and distribution network, we are one of the nation’s largest independent branded producers.

• Part of an international, family-owned business group founded, carrying a strong heritage of building trusted brands, investing in people, and driving innovation.

Position Overview

• The Plant HR/Labor Manager serves as the senior Human Resources leader for a unionized manufacturing facility near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

• The facility operates with approximately 250 union-represented employees and 45 non-union employees.

• As a trusted advisor and member of the plant leadership team, this role leads the site’s people strategy, day-to-day HR delivery, and labor relations.

• This position manages one direct report, a Sr. HR Specialist, who provides administrative, payroll, and operational HR support for the plant.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a trusted advisor and business partner to plant leadership while promoting positive labor-management relations.

• Lead effective, objective investigations into employee complaints and conflicts.

• Interpret and administer the collective bargaining agreement, advising leaders on contract requirements.

• Represent the company in grievance resolutions, arbitrations, and negotiations with labor organizations.

• Maintain a credible presence throughout the plant across operating shifts to build strong relationships with employees and union representatives.

• Lead plant talent acquisition, candidate selection, pre-employment screening, and onboarding.

• Partner with Operations on workforce planning, including staffing forecasts, critical skill needs, and succession risks.

• Analyze workforce metrics such as headcount, turnover, attendance, and overtime, recommending responsive actions.

• Develop and support plant learning, leadership, and apprenticeship initiatives.

• Lead, coach, and develop the Sr. HR Specialist to ensure accurate and timely HR support.

• Partner with leaders on talent reviews, development planning, and performance improvement.

• Oversee local benefits processes and provide recommendations on plant promotional and annual compensation actions.

• Partner with the central payroll team to oversee payroll processing, ensure accurate timekeeping, and troubleshoot issues.

• Manage leave and accommodation processes (ADA and FMLA) and workers’ compensation injury administration.

• Maintain awareness of legal requirements to reduce risk and support regulatory compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, labor relations, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 7+ years of progressive human resources experience in a manufacturing or similarly complex operating environment.

• At least four years of experience working with union-represented employees and handling grievances, arbitrations, collective bargaining, and labor-management relations.

• Demonstrated experience leading workplace investigations, performance management, and policy interpretation.

• Working knowledge of employment and labor laws, including ADA, FMLA, wage and hour, and workers’ compensation.

• Ability to work full-time on-site at the plant and adjust hours periodically to support employees across shifts.

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; sponsorship is not available for this role.

Preferences

• HR certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR.

• Experience in beverage, food, consumer products, or another high-volume manufacturing environment.

• Experience with ADP or a comparable HR, payroll, and timekeeping platform.

• Demonstrated ability to independently represent management in grievances, arbitration proceedings, and collective bargaining.

Key Competencies

• Trusted advisor with the ability to build credibility and productive partnerships across all levels.

• Fair, objective, and consistent decision-maker with strong integrity and discretion when handling sensitive matters.

• Practical problem solver with a bias toward action, accountability, and follow-through.

• Highly organized and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.