The Role:
The HR Business Partner Manager partners with Market Center business leaders to shape and implement people strategies that align with business unit/function goals. This role provides guidance, leads key talent initiatives, and acts as a trusted advisor to leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, and employee relations.
Manheim Auto Auctions consist of large, frontline, client-facing workforces in a high-volume production environment.
This is an onsite role located in the Manheim Detroit auction, with up to 25% travel required to associated locations in the market.
Responsibilities:
Business Support
- Partners with and serves as a key liaison between business and People Solutions leaders to support union-represented operations, including contract administration, day-to-day union engagement, and active participation in collective bargaining negotiations with an emphasis on positive labor relations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for union representatives, facilitating positive labor-management relations and effective communication.
Strategic Partnership & Planning
- Shape and deliver People Solutions programs across multiple locations, departments, or business areas.
- Facilitate development of integrated people plans aligned to business strategy and goals.
- Advise leaders on the implications of short- and long-term business decisions, strategies, and change initiatives.
- Partner with leaders to assess organizational needs and define required capabilities.
Consulting & Advisory
- Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders on talent, organizational effectiveness, and people-related strategies.
- Collaborate with senior leaders and managers to implement significant People Solutions initiatives.
- Coach and counsel leaders on effective leadership, performance management, and team effectiveness.
- Interpret and apply company policies and provide guidance on compliance and risk mitigation.
- Advise leaders on the implications of business decisions, strategies, and change efforts particularly as they related within a union environment.
- Proactively assess business risk related to labor relations and develop recommendations for mitigation.
Talent & Workforce Management
- Own and lead talent management processes, including performance management and annual compensation planning.
- Partner with COEs and functions to ensure effective execution of programs.
- Analyze and synthesize workforce data to inform talent strategies and decision-making.
- Identify and address gaps in workforce capability through strategic planning and interventions (aligned to needs analysis expectations).
- Conduct needs analyses to capture business requirements and essential capabilities, including those specific to unionized environments.
Employee Relations & Leadership Support
- Consult with ER COE and leaders to resolve employee relations issues.
- Ensure adherence to People Solutions policies and guide leaders on policy interpretation and application.
- Support change management and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local labor laws including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and with collective bargaining agreements.
Program Development & Implementation
- Partner across People Solutions functions to develop and enhance policies, programs, and tools.
- Drive implementation of large-scale HR initiatives across business units.
- Use data and analytics to improve people processes and organizational design.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline and 6 years' experience in a related field; or a different combination, such as a master's degree and 4 years' experience; a Ph.D. and 1 year of experience in a related field; or 10 years' experience in a related field.
- Prior experience in union labor environments and knowledge of labor relations, union contracts, negotiations, and grievance procedures.
- Advanced skills in analytical thinking, business acumen, consulting, navigating legal and regulatory environments, and managing multiple priorities.
- Advanced skills in building partnerships, communicating with consideration, driving innovation, engaging others, and earning trust and confidence.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Graduate degree in business, HR or related field.
- HR certification such as PHR, SPHR or GPHR.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a geographically disbursed and matrix organization.
- Project Management experience.
- Strong Microsoft Excel knowledge and application.
USD 101,500.00 - 169,100.00 per year
Compensation:
Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $101,500.00 - $169,100.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.
Benefits:
The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company's needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.
Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
EOE, including disability/vets
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline with 6 years' related experience (or alternate combinations listed: master's +4 years, Ph.D. +1 year, or 10 years' experience)
- Prior experience in union labor environments and knowledge of labor relations, union contracts, negotiations, and grievance procedures
- Advanced analytical thinking, business acumen, consulting skills, and ability to navigate legal and regulatory environments while managing multiple priorities
- Advanced skills in building partnerships, effective communication, driving innovation, engaging others, and earning trust
- Onsite work at Manheim Detroit with up to 25% travel to associated market locations
- Graduate degree in business, HR or related field
- HR certification such as PHR, SPHR or GPHR
- Demonstrated ability to work in a geographically disbursed and matrix organization
- Project management experience
- Strong Microsoft Excel knowledge and application
Cox Enterprises Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) includes a dollar-for-dollar match up to 6% of pay plus an additional fixed 2% company contribution with immediate vesting and auto-enrollment via Vanguard. Legacy cohorts may have different retirement arrangements, but the enhanced match is emphasized as a current standard.
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical options (Core PPO, Premium PPO, HDHP + HSA) and Kaiser in CA are available, with in-network preventive care covered at 100% and openly published 2026 plan details and premiums. The program lineup extends to pharmacy, dental, vision, telehealth, and condition-specific supports.
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Parental & Family Support — Eight weeks of paid parental leave, fertility coverage via Progyny, adoption assistance, and childcare/backup care resources complement flexible PTO and paid time off for voting, volunteering, and jury duty. These benefits are positioned to support employees across family life stages.
Cox Enterprises Insights
What We Do
For well over a century, Cox Enterprises has been shaping the future with daring ideas and values-driven thinking. Since our founding in 1898, our relentless spirit of innovation has driven us to disrupt industries and enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve. Through our major divisions — Cox Communications, Cox Automotive and Cox Farms — our people have countless opportunities to grow and make an impact in the communications and automotive industries, as well as in new ventures in agriculture, cleantech, digital media and more. As a privately-held, family-owned business, we know that people are our most valuable asset. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment with flexible career growth, amazing benefits and work-life balance at the forefront. Our mission, our ways of working and our commitment to people are what make our workplace culture remarkably flexible and resilient. Join us to build a better future and make your mark.
Why Work With Us
At our core, Cox is a technology company that values human relationships. We know people feel most empowered when their work has meaning, when they feel respected and have opportunities to grow. “Career satisfaction” is not enough at Cox — we’re here to help you find balance, live well and achieve your career goals even as they change over time.
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Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Every person has different working styles and preferences — and we aim to empower teams to work where they are most comfortable. Some roles require in-person work, but for those that can be performed remotely, we offer flexibility.























