The Head of Human Resources is a key member of the executive leadership team, responsible for shaping and executing the people strategy to support the company’s mission, growth, and performance goals. In a mid-size sized organization with 200+ employees, this leader must be “hands-on,” balance strategic vision with operational execution, ensuring HR initiatives align with the fast-paced, customer-driven nature of the business.

The Head of HR will be responsible for all HR disciplines—including talent acquisition and recruiting, organizational and associate development, employee relations, compensation and benefit plans, compliance, and HR systems—while serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and a champion of company culture.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the CEO, COO, and executive leadership to align people strategy with overall business objectives.
• Provide insights related to organizational development, workforce planning, and succession management.
• Champion company culture, employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, and continuous improvement.

2. Talent Acquisition & Development

• Lead recruitment efforts to attract top talent across all functions and departments typical of a CPG organization.
• Develop and implement programs to build internal bench strength.
• Build strong community partnerships to support future workforce pipelines.
• Provide insights on leadership development and associate training as needed.
• Oversee performance management processes to drive accountability and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Drive learning and development programs tailored to the CPG environment.
• Develop and maintain succession plans for critical roles.

3. Compensation, Benefits, & HR Operations

• Maintain competitive compensation and incentive structures aligned with market and performance.
• Oversee employee benefits plans and strategy, balancing cost-effectiveness with employee satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor and employment laws.
• Enhance HR systems and analytics for improved decision-making and employee experience.

4. Culture, Engagement, & Employee Relations

• Serve as the steward of the company’s values and culture.
• Lead initiatives to increase employee engagement, retention, and satisfaction.
• Provide executive-level guidance on sensitive employee relations matters.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role, preferably within manufacturing or related industry.
• Proven success in developing and scaling HR strategies in a mid-sized, growth-oriented organization with multiple facilities, domestic and overseas.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with senior executives.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills with a collaborative mindset.
• Strong knowledge of labor laws, HR best practices, and industry benchmarks.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic Agility – Ability to anticipate trends, build long-term plans, and align HR with business priorities.
• Business Acumen – Understands the unique demands of the CPG industry and customer dynamics.
• Change Leadership – Skilled at supporting organizations through transformation and growth.
• People Development – Enthusiastic about building talent pipelines and enabling growth.
• Cultural Stewardship – Able to sustain and evolve a high-performance, inclusive culture.

Success Measures

• Improved employee engagement and retention across all functions.
• Development and implementation of a succession plan for critical roles.
• Reduction in time-to-fill and improve quality of hires.
• Effective alignment of HR strategy with business growth, profitability, and market competitiveness.
• Reduced turnover and improved employee engagement.

Reporting Structure

• Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Direct Reports: HR Generalist and HR Assistant.