Human Resources Manager

Who We Are:
Challenge’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.

Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!

Together we own Safety! Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who We Want:

The Human Resources Manager will lead and direct the functions of the Plant Human Resources (HR) department with their team of HR Generalists, Talent Acquisition Specialists and Payroll employees. Responsibilities include but are not limited to hourly hiring and onboarding, overall administration and enforcement of company policies & practices, alignment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, partnership with plant leadership on culture change, and the evaluation of the human resource function within their facility. The ideal candidate will be passionate about evolving the plant culture and employee population, striving to be a wealth of knowledge for all team members within the plant, welcoming requests for information and assistance, and having effective and swift follow through.

What You'll Do:

• Manages a team of salaried HR employees through day-to-day processes; develops their opportunities and strengths; challenges them to grow within and outside of their expertise; assesses their performance and gives productive feedback; and is available to guide and influence their HR decision making skills 
• Ensures consistent application of company policies, including administration of attendance points policy; issuing written discipline documents; investigating alleged misconduct; coaching plant leadership on disciplinary matters; and ensuring alignment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement 
• Manages all hourly and salaried employee escalations, including those within and outside of policy; manage the union grievance process in partnership with the local union; partner with the plant leadership team on consistent application of rules and policies; and escalate to the HR Director as needed to ensure company alignment 
• Leads your team through hourly recruitment efforts, including confirming hiring needs with Plant Leadership; working with supervisors to screen and interview candidates; extending offers; scheduling drug testing and background checks; onboarding employees; communicating internal opportunities; completing internal transfers; conducting exit interviews, and identifying areas for improvement 
• Supports your team in processing weekly hourly team member payroll using ADP Workforce Now, including resolving timecard discrepancies; confirming timecard approvals; processing weekly payroll files; and investigating payroll discrepancies 
• Establishes and maintain department records and reports, including investigative and personnel files with ADP. Participates in plant leadership staff meetings and attends other meetings, ensuring there is a HR voice and perspective.  
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws 
• Participates in unemployment hearings when necessary 

When and Where:
This will be a 1st Shift / 7AM-5PM M-F position located at our Plant in Walker, MI. 
Occasionally, this may require you to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends, outside of our regular hours, to ensure we successfully meet customer needs, deadlines, or urgent requests.

What You Need to Have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field required
• 6+ years of progressive human resource management experience
• Manufacturing or automotive background experience preferred
• Master’s degree in Human Resources, or related field preferred
• Understands the “big picture” impact of decisions – how the key drivers of the business impact the company’s financial statements
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Comfortable communicating in difficult situations in both