Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever.  We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives, that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.  IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

The Sr. HR Manager is responsible for management, execution, and delivery of HR services and support within a manufacturing operations environment. Oversee all operations and deliverables to meet or exceed plant objectives, follow corporate and operational strategies, and integrate as appropriate within the plant functions. Direct and support the work of the HRBP and HR Generalist. This role interacts with plant operations leadership, helps set HR strategy and organizational design for the designated plant, deals with highly confidential information, and interacts daily with others outside of HR.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Drives strategic people and organizational direction for site with Operations leadership
• Manage success of Freshpet for Excellence (FPE) programs for the plant and provide site leadership of Organizational Capabilities (OC) pillar work
• Drive enterprise HR programs and give input to COEs regarding plant operation’s needs, issues, and opportunities; also leverages COE subject matter expertise consulting and advice
• Leverage specialized knowledge about the unique plant’s practices, business needs, people, and procedures to execute HR tasks. Oversee or partner on plant HR activities such as hourly recruiting, performance management, employee/labor relations, and local talent management efforts.
• Manage HR responsibilities, provide leadership, evaluate performance, and drive service expertise for operations HR.  Advise plant HR team and approve specific actions (e.g., pay increases, job changes).
• Manage all compliance requirements for plant operation HR transactional processes.  Assure that third party vendors adhere to established service level agreements and provide feedback to the appropriate corporate team regarding performance.
• Proactively plan for project, system, and organizational contingencies related to plant operations and recommend, implement, manage, or support changes.   Assure that operations physical, financial, and people resources are managed effectively.
• Assure that customers, partners, and stakeholders e.g., COEs and other stakeholders are kept up-to-date with appropriate, timely, and relevant communication of trends, issues, and services.
• Review, analyze, and reconcile relevant data according to established timelines, standards, and procedures.
• Handle escalated and/or sensitive requests and issues. Escalate particularly specialized, difficult, or sensitive matters to the Director, HR Operations and/or appropriate “Center of Excellence” resource and assure that cases are updated and maintained accordingly.  
• Provide excellent service to ensure activities provide the intended experience for end users in an efficient and effective manner. Manage tasks of self and team to assure deadlines are met according to established service levels/targets.
• Schedule resources to ensure uninterrupted service to leadership and employees. Coordinate with the HR Team as necessary regarding coverage for operational hours.
• Lead team performance and measure results to improve effectiveness and efficiency.    Encourage continuous learning and work with the director to identify gaps and solutions.  Assure support of strategic business & operational direction and seek to drive continuous customer service improvements.
• Develop, coach, and mentor HR Team to build a high-performance team.  Set goals and facilitate growth and development to meet individualized employee career goals, motivational needs, and organizational opportunities.
• Support organizational direction and culture.  Effectively manage employee performance using established company tools/methodology.  Authorize personnel decisions (e.g., compensation, recognition, transfer, promotion) with approval of the Director of HR Operations.  Assure that company policies and practices are followed and set an example for team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned

What You Will Bring

Experience

• At least 8 years of HR Business Partner experience required
• Experience working at a manufacturing site required
• Minimum of 5 years of people management experience required
• Proven success in working in a fast-paced growing business environment; Flexibility to adjust work schedule to support 24/7 facility.
• Strategic HR Business Partner experience, organizational design/development, change management, and workforce planning experience highly desirable
• Bilingual English/Spanish highly preferred.
• Experience with an HRIS system (Dayforce preferred).
• Experience with Microsoft tools and applications required.

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Human Resources, Business, Management, Organization Development, or related field required.
• SPHR or SHRM-SP desired.

Competencies

• Ability to bring immediate credibility to the human resources function through professional qualifications and leadership skills, as well as projecting the highest levels of integrity.
• Highly developed listening skills coupled with the consistent utilization of a consultative approach.
• Core knowledge of HR principles, theories and concepts and all related local and federal laws and regulations.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills that lead to effective problem resolution but also understand importance of intuition and instinct in the decision-making process.
• Always conveys a positive and professional demeanor to employees and possesses a high level of confidentiality and integrity.
• Ability to work seamlessly across cultures and build relationships in an evolving and fast-growing organization
• Strong coaching, conflict resolution, relationship and team building skills; demonstrated ability to objectively coach employees and management through complex, difficult, and emotional issues.
• Must possess well-developed interpersonal communications, negotiation, writing, speaking, and strong listening skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment with minimal direction/guidance but also knows when to escalate issues to the Director of HR.
• Adept at functioning effectively within a team environment and presenting ideas and opinions in a respective and collegial manner
• Exceptional customer service disposition, enabling ability to effectively coach and provide value-add consultative services
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong results/goal orientation.
• Authentic, energetic, thoughtful and collaborative partner.

What We Offer

The range for this position is:  $110,000-$140,000

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law (“protected characteristics”).

Disclaimers

The salary range provided above is the range of the wages that we will pay for the listed position.  A final determination on the wages within this range is based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to the required work location, previous work experience, skill set, and wage rates for comparable positions.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.