Human Resources Manager - International Spices

Job Title: Human Resources Manager 
FLSA Status:  Exempt  
Location: Fremont, Nebraska 
Company: International Spices 
Reports To: Vice President, Human Resources – Woodland Gourmet 
Dotted Line Reporting: President – International Spices 

Position Summary 

The Human Resources Manager serves as the senior HR leader onsite at International Spices, a manufacturing company within the Woodland Gourmet portfolio. This role reports directly to the Vice President, Human Resources at Woodland Gourmet and maintains a dotted-line relationship to the President of International Spices. 

The HR Manager is responsible for leading all human resources functions at the facility, aligning local workforce strategies with enterprise-wide HR initiatives while supporting business performance, operational excellence, food safety standards, and employee engagement. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic HR Leadership 

• Act as the primary HR partner to the President and plant leadership team 

• Align site-level HR strategies with Woodland Gourmet’s enterprise HR framework 

• Provide counsel on organizational design, workforce planning, and change management 

• Support business growth, integration, and operational initiatives 

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning 

• Lead full-cycle recruitment for production, maintenance, quality, and administrative roles 

• Develop staffing plans to support seasonal production and capacity requirements 

• Implement workforce forecasting strategies in partnership with operations 

Employee Relations & Culture 

• Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership and employees 

• Lead investigations and resolve workplace concerns 

• Drive engagement initiatives to promote retention and a high-performance culture 

• Ensure consistent application of policies and fair employment practices 

Compliance & Risk Management 

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws 

• Partner with operations and Safety Manager to support OSHA compliance and food safety standards (GMP, HACCP, SQF) 

• Manage workers’ compensation, unemployment claims, and regulatory reporting 

• Maintain accurate HR records and reporting metrics 

Payroll Processing 

• Oversee and manage payroll processes for the site, ensuring accurate and timely processing, compliance with wage and hour laws, coordination with Finance, and resolution of payroll-related inquiries and discrepancies 

Compensation & Benefits 

• Administer compensation and incentive programs aligned with corporate guidelines 

• Manage employee benefits programs, including enrollment, vendor coordination, employee communication, and issue resolution 

• Partner with Woodland Gourmet HR on annual benefits planning and open enrollment 

• Lead employee engagement initiatives, including surveys, action planning, recognition programs, and retention strategies 

Training & Development 

• Oversee onboarding programs for hourly and salaried employees 

• Identify training needs across production and leadership teams 

• Support leadership development and succession planning efforts 

Performance Management 

• Guide managers through goal setting, performance evaluations, and development planning 

• Support the roll out and communication on the annual and mid-year performance review process 

• Support accountability and performance improvement processes 

Policy & Process Implementation 

• Implement enterprise HR policies at the site level 

• Ensure consistent application of procedures and documentation standards 

• Drive continuous improvement in HR processes and systems 

Other Duties 

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to support business objectives and operational needs 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field 

• 5–8 years of progressive HR experience, including manufacturing or food production environments 

• Experience supporting hourly workforces in regulated environments 

• Strong knowledge of employment law and workplace safety regulations 

• HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR) preferred 

Competencies 

• Strong business and operational acumen 

• Ability to influence executive leadership and frontline management 

• Excellent judgment and conflict resolution skills 

• Strategic thinker with hands-on execution capability 

• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity 

Work Environment 

• Onsite leadership role within a manufacturing facility 

• Regular presence on the production floor 

Physical Demands  
The physical requirements described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to help individuals with disabilities perform these vital functions. The job typically requires office, manufacturing and warehouse settings. Exposure to industrial environments (noises, odors, food processing equipment and varying temperatures). Ability to wear required PPE, including hairnets, gloves and protective footwear, etc.  

This role is critical in ensuring that International Spices maintains a compliant, engaged, and high-performing workforce while aligning local HR execution with Woodland Gourmet’s broader human capital strategy. 

Woodland Gourmet hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of our organization.  We offer a competitive compensation package with benefits.  The estimated salary for this role will be $85,000 to $117,000. This position is eligible for an annual bonus (based on the incentive program terms and conditions).  Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, the company will determine, at its discretion, the salary offered and will reflect the market conditions and cost of living for your geographic location.  

 
Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package.  

 
Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States.  E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit the E-Verify website.  

Woodland Gourmet assures equal employment opportunity in all its hiring and employment policies and practices. This includes all aspects of employment, such as recruiting, hiring, promotions, transfers, demotions, layoffs or terminations, compensation, benefits, training, company-sponsored education, social and recreational programs or events, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. These policies and practices are administered without regard to “legally protected categories” such as:  race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or sexual orientation, pregnancy status or medical conditions related to childbirth, and/or any other factor protected by law