Human Resources Manager- Automotive Manufacturing Industry

HR Manager – Automotive Manufacturing (U.S. Operations)

Location: Cincinnati, OH (suburbs) or Lexington, KY (suburbs)

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing

Employment Type: Full-time

Working Model: Onsite

A leading Japanese automotive manufacturer is expanding its U.S. operations and is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager to join its growing team. This is a high-impact role offering the opportunity to shape HR strategy and lead employee and labor relations across multiple manufacturing sites.

Reporting under general supervision, this role is responsible for managing a broad range of HR functions in support of plant associates and leadership. The HR Manager will play a key role in driving employee engagement, strengthening labor relations, and aligning HR initiatives with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with unionized employees and leadership
• Lead labor relations activities, including contract negotiations, grievance handling, and arbitration
• Oversee employee relations matters such as performance management, discipline, and terminations
• Ensure compliance with all employment laws and company policies
• Develop and implement HR strategies aligned with overall business goals
• Identify training needs and design effective development programs
• Manage full-cycle recruitment processes for both hourly and salaried positions
• Oversee plant-level hiring and workforce planning
• Administer performance appraisal systems and advise plant leadership
• Coach and support managers on HR policies, procedures, and best practices
• Drive initiatives that enhance employee engagement, retention, and organizational effectiveness
• Foster a positive and productive employee relations environment across sites

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience in automotive or manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated experience in union environments, including negotiations and labor relations
• Strong knowledge of HR systems, metrics, and data-driven decision making
• Familiarity with Japanese business culture and communication style is a strong plus

Leadership:

• Direct supervisory responsibility for HR staff and professionals