Human Resources Manager
Location: Branford, Connecticut
Company: HarcoSemco (Mid-sized Aerospace Manufacturing Company (115 employees))
Reports To: President
Direct Reports: 1 HR Generalist
Position Summary
The Human Resources Manager is responsible for leading all HR functions for a growing aerospace manufacturing company with approximately 115 employees across sales, engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and administrative teams. This role oversees day-to-day human resources operations, ensures compliance with federal and Connecticut employment laws, supports workforce planning, and helps foster a high-performance, employee-focused culture.
The HR Manager supervises one HR Generalist and serves as a strategic partner to leadership while remaining hands-on in tactical HR execution. This a full-time position with regular in-office hours of 8am - 5 pm.
Key Responsibilities
Human Resources Leadership

• Lead and manage all HR functions including recruiting, employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, compliance, and training.
• Supervise and mentor the HR Generalist, assigning responsibilities and supporting professional development.
• Partner with company leadership to support business objectives, organizational growth, and workforce planning.
• Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, and best practices aligned with company goals and aerospace industry requirements.

Talent Acquisition and Onboarding

• Manage full-cycle recruiting for exempt and non-exempt positions including manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, sales, and staff roles.
• Partner with hiring managers to develop job descriptions, compensation ranges, and hiring strategies.

• Oversee onboarding and orientation programs to ensure successful integration of new employees.
• Support workforce retention initiatives and employee engagement efforts.

Employee Relations

• Serve as the primary contact for employee relations matters, investigations, conflict resolution, and disciplinary actions.
• Coach managers on employee performance, documentation, and corrective action processes.
• Promote a positive and compliant workplace culture focused on accountability, communication, and teamwork.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws including FMLA, ADA, EEO, OSHA, wage and hour regulations, and Connecticut labor laws.
• Maintain HR records and reporting requirements.
• Support audits and compliance initiatives related to aerospace customer standards and government contracting requirements, as applicable.
• Administer HRIS systems and maintain accurate employee data.

Compensation and Benefits

• Manage the bi-weekly payroll process through ADP.
• Administer employee benefits programs including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), disability, and leave programs.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities.
• Assist leadership with compensation benchmarking and salary administration.
• Manage workers' compensation and unemployment claims.

Training and Development

• Identify training needs and coordinate employee development initiatives.
• Support leadership development and succession planning efforts.
• Ensure accurate tracking and completion of required compliance and safety training programs.

Qualifications / Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or related field preferred.
• 5-8+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably within manufacturing, aerospace, or other regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience supporting both hourly and salaried employee populations.

• Proficiency with HRIS systems (ADP) and Microsoft Office 360 Suite.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, precision manufacturing, or ISO/AS9100 environments.
• Familiarity with government contractor compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting lean manufacturing or continuous improvement cultures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information professionally.
• Occasional travel to training, recruiting events, or external meetings may be required.
• Employees may be asked to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities as needed.

This position requires either a US Person (as defined in applicable export regulations) or a non-US Person who is eligible to obtain the required export authorization.

To conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government.

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the key responsibilities satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.