Sr Director of Human Resources

Position Summary

The Senior Director, Human Resources – Northeast Region serves as the senior HR leader for a portfolio of manufacturing facilities across the Northeast region. This role is responsible for driving workforce effectiveness, strengthening on-site HR execution, and ensuring early identification and resolution of employee relations and operational risks.

This position acts as a visible, hands-on partner to plant and regional operations leadership, while elevating HR capability, consistency, and accountability across multiple sites. The role requires a proactive, decisive leader with deep manufacturing experience who can operate effectively in fast-paced, high-volume environments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Regional HR Leadership

• Provide strategic and operational HR leadership across multiple manufacturing sites in the Northeast region (including PA, NJ, NY, OH, and surrounding areas).
• Serve as the primary escalation point for employee relations issues, workforce challenges, and site-level people risks.
• Maintain strong partnership and HR presence at each facility through regular on-site engagement.

Workforce Stability & Retention

• Develop and implement targeted strategies to reduce turnover and improve workforce retention.
• Partner with plant leadership to proactively identify staffing risks and workforce challenges.
• Drive accountability for workforce planning, hiring effectiveness, and retention outcomes.

Field HR Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of site-level HR representatives and field HR resources.
• Establish clear expectations, escalation protocols, and performance standards for HR team members.
• Ensure HR issues are elevated appropriately and addressed with urgency and ownership.

Operational Excellence & Risk Escalation

• Establish processes that promote early identification and escalation of site-level issues (“raise the flag” mentality).
• Drive consistent HR practices across sites while allowing for local operational needs.
• Act quickly and decisively to address emerging risks impacting people, production, or compliance.

Business Partnership

• Partner closely with Operations leadership (Plant Managers, Regional Leaders) to align HR strategies with business objectives.
• Provide guidance on organizational design, workforce planning, performance management, and employee engagement.
• Support plant leaders in building stable, high-performing teams.

Multi-Site Presence & Support

• Maintain a strong and visible presence across the region through frequent travel and on-site support.
• Balance strategic leadership with hands-on involvement when required to stabilize operations or address critical issues.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 12–15+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Significant experience supporting manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Proven experience leading HR across multiple sites or a defined region.

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Strong background in employee relations and conflict resolution.
• Experience supporting high-volume workforce environments.
• Demonstrated success in turnover reduction and workforce stabilization.
• Ability to operate independently and make sound decisions in ambiguous or time-sensitive situations.
• Proven ability to identify issues early, escalate appropriately, and take proactive action.
• Strong influencing skills and credibility with senior operational leaders.

Key Measures of Success

• Improved workforce stability and reduced regretted turnover across the region.
• Strong HR presence, credibility, and partnership with plant leadership.
• Timely identification and resolution of employee relations and operational risks.
• Consistent execution of HR practices and policies across multiple sites.