HR Director - Strategic Leadership Role in Manufacturing Excellence

Join an industry leader in manufacturing and distribution as their new HR Director in Wheeling, Illinois. This pivotal executive position offers the chance to provide both strategic vision and hands-on HR support while serving as a key member of the senior management team. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will oversee HR operations across three dynamic sites in a Monday-Friday, on-site role. With a competitive salary range of $150,000-$170,000 plus bonus, this is an exceptional opportunity to advance your career with a stable, growing company renowned for its commitment to employee success.

About the Role

As HR Director, you will be the architect of the company's human capital strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role demands a seasoned professional who thrives in multi-site operations, balancing corporate oversight with plant-level execution. Supporting warehouse and production teams, you will foster a culture of compliance, engagement, and performance. Ideal for HR leaders passionate about union relations, talent acquisition, and operational excellence, this position offers direct impact on organizational growth. Located in Wheeling, IL, just north of Chicago, enjoy proximity to major highways and a vibrant suburban community while contributing to a legacy of industry leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Your leadership will span every facet of HR, from policy direction to tactical execution:

• Direct comprehensive workforce policies across corporate offices, plants, and warehouses, ensuring seamless integration and compliance.
• Manage a dedicated HR team, including Plant Human Resources Managers, Corporate HR Generalists, and Plant HR Coordinators, while providing oversight to third-party staffing agencies and their on-site reps.
• Oversee enforcement, interpretation, and evolution of employment policies; lead updates to the Company Employee Handbook for modern relevance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with union employees and representatives, expertly facilitating dispute resolution through direct intervention or manager coaching.
• Spearhead all hiring initiatives organization-wide, from high-level executive recruiting to entry-level plant positions, managing interviews and selections.
• Design and deliver impactful new employee onboarding and orientation programs to drive retention and productivity.
• Partner with the Corporate Safety Manager on incident investigations, workers' compensation claims, OSHA reporting, and compliance initiatives.
• Develop and coordinate management training programs to elevate leadership capabilities.
• Collaborate with finance and payroll leaders on salary structures, wage rates, and benefits optimization.
• Orchestrate annual performance reviews and compensation processes to reward excellence and align with business goals.

Required Qualifications

To excel in this demanding role, candidates must possess:

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in a director-level role within manufacturing or distribution.
• Proven track record managing multi-site HR teams and third-party vendors.
• Deep expertise in union/labor relations, including collective bargaining and grievance handling.
• Strong compliance knowledge in employment law, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, and workers' compensation.
• Hands-on experience in full-cycle recruiting, onboarding, and performance management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence C-suite executives.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field; Master's or SHRM-SCP/PHR certification preferred.
• Ability to travel between three local sites as needed.

This role requires a strategic thinker who is equally adept at tactical execution, with a passion for manufacturing HR challenges.

Why Join Us

Work for a stable, expanding leader in manufacturing and distribution offering unparalleled stability and growth potential. Enjoy a competitive total rewards package including $150k-$170k base salary plus bonus, comprehensive medical/dental/vision, disability/life insurance, FSA, 401(k) with matching, and PTO. Thrive in a collaborative environment with direct CFO access and real influence on business strategy. Robert Half proudly presents this exclusive opportunity—contact Recruiter Connie Stathopoulos today to elevate your HR career in Wheeling, IL. Keywords: HR Director jobs Wheeling IL, manufacturing HR leadership, union relations specialist, multi-site HR manager.

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