HR Manager - Defense Sector Operations

Anniston, Alabama

We are seeking a highly skilled Human Resources Manager to support a critical defense-sector operation in Anniston, Alabama. This is an opportunity for an HR leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys partnering closely with operations leaders, and wants to make a meaningful impact on a business that supports an essential customer.

If you're looking for a role where you can influence culture, drive workforce engagement, solve employee relations challenges, and serve as a trusted advisor to operational leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

Why This Role?

This is not a traditional HR Manager position.

You'll be the HR leader supporting a large operational workforce where your ability to build credibility, foster engagement, and drive results will directly impact business performance.

You'll partner with leaders across multiple locations, influence decision-making, and lead initiatives that improve retention, workforce effectiveness, compliance, safety, and employee engagement.

This role is ideal for an HR professional who enjoys being on the floor, building relationships, solving problems, and making a tangible difference every day.

What You'll Do

HR Business Partnership

• Partner with Operations Leadership to align people strategies with business objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders on employee relations, performance management, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, and talent development.
• Analyze workforce metrics including turnover, retention, recruiting effectiveness, and absenteeism to identify trends and drive improvement initiatives.
• Support change management initiatives and help foster a high-performance culture.

Employee Relations & Leadership Coaching

• Lead employee relations investigations and resolve complex workplace issues with professionalism and integrity.
• Coach leaders on performance management, conflict resolution, employee development, and corrective action.
• Promote a positive employee experience through fair, consistent, and legally compliant HR practices.
• Build strong relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.

Employment Law & Compliance

• Act as the site's subject matter expert on U.S. employment legislation and compliance, including:

• ADA / ADEA
• EEO
• FLSA
• FMLA
• HIPAA

• Wage & Hour regulations
• Ensure policies, practices, and procedures remain compliant with federal and state requirements.
• Monitor legal developments and proactively recommend policy and process improvements.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

• Lead recruiting efforts for hourly, supervisory, and professional positions.
• Develop workforce strategies that support operational growth and business continuity.
• Partner with leaders to identify talent needs and succession opportunities.
• Build talent pipelines through community partnerships, job fairs, and proactive recruiting initiatives.

Safety, Workers' Compensation & Risk Management

• Manage Workers' Compensation programs, return-to-work initiatives, and claim administration.
• Partner with Operations to support OSHA compliance and workplace safety programs.
• Participate in incident investigations and implement corrective actions to reduce future risk.

Employee Engagement & Development

• Drive recognition, engagement, and retention initiatives.
• Conduct exit interview analysis and develop action plans to address trends.
• Partner with Learning & Development to identify skills gaps and support leadership development initiatives.
• Champion Metro's culture, values, and commitment to continuous improvement.

What We're Looking For

Experience

• 5+ years of progressive HR leadership experience.
• Experience supporting large employee populations in a distribution, logistics, manufacturing, industrial, or operations environment.
• Strong employee relations, performance management, and employment law expertise.
• Experience supporting both hourly and salaried workforces.
• Multi-site HR experience is considered a strong asset.
• Ability to travel.

Skills & Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to influence and build credibility with operational leaders.
• Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making capabilities.
• Experience interpreting and applying U.S. employment legislation.
• Ability to balance strategic initiatives with day-to-day operational demands.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of HRIS platforms; ADP Workforce Now and UKG Pro experience are considered assets.
• Continuous improvement mindset with strong analytical capabilities.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related field preferred.
• PHR or SPHR certification is an asset.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you'll be viewed as more than an HR leader. You'll be a trusted business partner who helps leaders build engaged teams, navigate challenges, improve retention, strengthen workplace culture, and support the ongoing success of an operation that plays an important role in supporting a defense-sector customer.

Join MGL a division of Metro Supply Chain

If you're an HR professional who enjoys rolling up your sleeves, partnering closely with operations, and making a visible impact on both employees and business results, we'd like to hear from you.