Overview

TheOpportunity

The Manager, People & Culture (Manufacturing) serves as theprimaryPeople & Culture leader for Stratus' manufacturing operations in San Antonio, TX, Lexington, SC, and Elmhurst, IL. Partnering closely with plant leadership, this role helps build a high-performingandengaged workforce while aligning People & Culture strategies with operational goals.

As a visible member of each plant's leadership team, the Manager maintains a regular presence on the production floor through Gemba walks, production meetings, and employee interactions to strengthen culture, develop leaders, resolve employee concerns, and improve the overall employee experience. The role also leads the Manufacturing People & Culture Specialistand Receptionist in San Antonio, TXand serves as a trusted advisor throughout the employee lifecycle.

Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary People & Culture Business Partner for all manufacturing operations.
• Build trusted partnerships withEVP,Manufacturing, and otherPlantleaders to align workforce strategies with businessobjectives.
• Participate as an active member of plant leadership teams and attend regular production, staffing, and operational meetings.
• Provide coaching and guidance to leaders on organizational effectiveness, leadership development, workforce planning, and employee engagement.

Employee Relations

• Lead complex employee relations matters including investigations, conflict resolution, corrective action, performance management, and policydesign andinterpretation.
• Conductobjectiveandtimelyworkplace investigations while ensuringappropriate documentation.
• Coach managerson employeeconversations and employment decisions.
• Partner with leaders on employeeoffboarding decisions andprocesses.
• Maintain a positive employee relations climate while balancing business needs and compliance requirements.

Manufacturing Employee Experience & Engagement

• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor through regular Gemba walks, shift meetings, and employee interactions to strengthen relationships,identifyworkforce trends, and support operational excellence.
• Conduct ongoing pulse sensing with production employees toidentifyquestions,concerns, barriers,andengagement opportunities.
• Develop action plans from employee feedback and partner with plant leadership on implementation.
• Plan and execute employee engagement activities, recognition programs, celebrations, communication meetings, and plant events.
• Partner with leadership to strengthen employee morale, retention, teamwork, and overall workplace culture.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Partner with Talent Acquisition to support hourly and salaried manufacturing hiring.
• Participate in interviews and selection activities for key manufacturing positions.
• Support onboarding activities to ensure successful employee integration.
• In partnership withLearning& Development team, oversee,facilitate, and enhance manufacturingNew Hire Orientation as needed.

Learning & Development

• Partner with Learning & Development toidentifytraining needs across manufacturing operations.
• Assistin coordinating and delivering onboarding, compliance, leadership, and operational training.
• Support implementation of structured On-the-Job Training (OJT) programs in partnership with Operations and Learning & Development.
• Help develop career progression and internal promotion pathways within manufacturing.

Performance & Talent Management

• Coach leaders on goal setting, performance feedback, coaching conversations, and performance improvement planning.
• Support annual performance review and mid-year check-in processesin partnership with Talent Management.
• Identify high-potential talent andpartner onsuccession planning efforts.
• Support workforce planning initiatives and organizational design discussions.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws across multiple states.
• Partner with Safety and Operations on workplace accommodations, FMLA,state leave of absence, workers' compensation, and return-to-work programs.
• Maintain compliance with company policies and employment practices.
• Conduct periodic audits of People & Culture processes and documentation.
• Recommend policy improvements based on changing legislation and business needs.

Workforce Analytics

• Analyze workforce metricsincluding:Turnover, Retention,Attendance,Overtime,Engagement,Vacancies,Performance trends, etc.
• Present insights and recommendations to manufacturing leadership.
• Developand recommendactionplans based on workforce data.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop the People & Culture Specialistand Receptionist, San Antonio.
• Provide coaching,taskprioritization, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Foster collaboration between the People & Culture team and manufacturing leadership.
• Promote consistency of People & Culture practices across all manufacturing locations.

Continuous Improvement

• Identifyopportunities to improve People & Culture processes that enhancethe employeeexperience and operational efficiency.
• Standardize P&Cprocesses across all manufacturing facilities.
• Support Lean Manufacturing initiatives through effective change management and employee communication.
• Participate in cross-functional improvement initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or equivalent work experience preferred.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience required.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing HR professionals in manufacturing setting preferred.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, industrial, distribution, or production environments required.
• Multi-site HR experience preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Strong understanding of employee relations principles, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution practices.
• Working knowledge of performance management, talent development, organizational development, and change management methodologies.
• Understanding of workforce planning, succession planning, and employee engagement strategies.
• Familiarity with HR metrics, workforce analytics, and data-driven decision making.
• Exceptional interpersonal, relationship-building, and consultative partnership skills.
• Proven ability to coach and influence leaders at all levels of the organization.

What We Offer

Culture & Growth

• Supportive, collaborative work environment
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Regular coaching, feedback, and mentorship to support growth

Health & Wellbeing

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Health Savings Accounts with employer contributions
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program

Financial Security

• Weekly pay schedule
• 401(k) with employer match
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability coverage

Work-Life Balance

• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Volunteer Time Off
• Paid parental leave

Travel Requirements

This position requires travel as an essential function of the role to support in-person interaction with customers, field partners, and business stakeholders. Travel may be conducted via automobile, air, or other modes of transportation and may include overnight stays as needed.

Work Environment

This position is based primarily in a manufacturing environment with regular interaction on the production floor. The role requires frequent collaboration with production leadership, operations, and cross-functional teams. Employees may be exposed to manufacturing equipment, moderate noise levels, varying temperatures, and other industrial conditions. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when entering designated production areas. The position involves extended periods of sitting, computer use, and virtual communication. Physical requirements may include lifting up to 20 pounds and general movement within an office setting.

Additional Information

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all duties or responsibilities. Responsibilities may change at any time based on the needs of Stratus.