Title:  Manager - Human Resources - Hazleton Distribution Center
Reports to:  Director - Human Resources
Direct Reports:  Leads a team of 5 HR professionals (HRBPs and Coordinators) 
Location:  Onsite in Hazleton, PA

AEO operates three robust distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada. These centers are essential for fulfilling both online and in-store customer orders, ensuring a seamless experience for our shoppers. Our global presence extends to shipping to 81 countries and supporting more than 900 stores. On a daily basis, our network efficiently processes nearly 65,000 orders, shipping 17+ million orders in 2024. This extensive infrastructure and daily throughput underscores our commitment to efficient global logistics and customer satisfaction.

Get to know the role:
The HR Manager is a critical, action-oriented strategic partner and key member of the local leadership team. This role is directly responsible for defining and driving innovative, data-backed talent, culture, and people strategies that ensure the DC’s operational excellence in Production, Quality, and Safety. The Manager will lead the local HR function, manage direct reports, champion change management, and foster a dynamic, high-engagement culture, ensuring all HR outcomes actively support the facility's business objectives.

What you’ll do:

• Drive Operational Alignment: Strategically partner with the Director of DC Operations and functional leadership to leverage quantitative and qualitative data (e.g., Production, Quality, Safety metrics) to execute HR business initiatives and deliver organizational solutions that improve DC performance.
• Lead and Develop the HR Team: Manage, mentor, and coach direct reports, ensuring the team meets and exceeds business and individual goals, actively promoting career development and providing effective, timely feedback.
• Cultivate High-Performance Culture: Champion AEO’s values, maintain an Open Door Culture, and proactively lead associate engagement plans, recognition programs, and labor relations to ensure a positive and inspiring work environment.
• Execute Workforce Planning: Lead annual Workforce and Succession Planning efforts for the Hazleton DC, in alignment with Corporate and cross-DC teams, ensuring the facility has the talent pipeline and resource solutions (including technology/automation) necessary for future growth.
• Govern Performance Management: Oversee and facilitate all Talent Development and Performance Management cycles, including goal planning, performance development planning, and providing effective coaching and feedback tools to grow the leadership capabilities across all levels of the DC team.
• Own Key Initiatives: Take full ownership and drive the accomplishment of key projects, including cross-DC and Corporate initiatives, serving as a proactive thought leader and consistently identifying and implementing solutions, not roadblocks.
• Optimize Total Rewards: Maintain the Distribution Center’s pay and benefit structure by closely partnering with the Corporate Total Rewards team to ensure internal equity and external market competitiveness.
• Ensure Safety Compliance: Collaborate with the Safety Manager and third-party vendors to administer Workers' Compensation, implementing robust processes to minimize accident frequency, ensure safe hiring practices, and effectively manage treatment/return-to-work strategies.

What you bring:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR Generalist/Management experience, demonstrating mastery of best practices in talent acquisition, total rewards, employment law, performance management, and employee relations
• Leadership Track Record: Minimum of 2 years experience managing direct reports, with a proven track record of fostering developmental wins and building team capability
• Industry Preference: Demonstrated experience utilizing HR best practices in a high-volume Distribution Center, Manufacturing, Warehousing, or similar operational environment is strongly preferred
• Strategic and Change Management Skills: Proven experience in building strategic plans, delivering results, and successfully leading large-scale change management initiatives for diverse groups of individuals
• Influence & Acumen: Superb communication, consulting, and networking skills with a demonstrated ability to partner, influence change across various organizational levels, and engage senior executives with strong business acumen
• Data & Project Management: Proven ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data and possess strong project and time management skills to function autonomously in a fast-paced environment
• Technical: Intermediate to Advanced proficiency with Google Suite and/or Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to travel to corporate office in Pittsburgh and/or other distribution centers 1-3 times per year
• Bilingual: English/Spanish speaking capabilities are a significant asset

Pay/Benefits Information:

• Actual starting pay is determined by various factors, including but not limited to relevant experience and location.
• Subject to eligibility requirements, associates may receive health care benefits (including medical, vision, and dental); wellness benefits; 401(k) retirement benefits; life and disability insurance; employee stock purchase program; paid time off; paid sick leave; and parental leave and benefits.
• Paid Time Off, paid sick leave, and holiday pay vary by job level and type, job location, employment classification (part-time or full-time / exempt or non-exempt), and years of service. For additional information, please click here.
• AEO may also provide discretionary bonuses and other incentives at its discretion.

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