Senior Manager - Employee Relations

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
Mishawaka, IN, USA
In-Office
Senior level
Automotive • Defense • Manufacturing
The Role
Leads employee and labor relations for unionized manufacturing operations, including collective bargaining agreement administration, grievance and arbitration resolution, labor compliance, hourly recruiting, workforce planning, HR policy development, and HRIS improvement. Supervises HR staff, advises leadership and managers, partners with unions and legal counsel, supports employee engagement, and drives HR process improvements across Indiana facilities.
Summary Generated by Built In

INTRODUCTION TO AM GENERAL

AM General develops and builds specialized ground vehicle systems that get the US Armed Services and our allies to and from their mission safely. Our innovative spirit delivers advanced, rugged, resilient, and dependable mobility solutions. We are one team dedicated to producing the best products for our customers. We have a collective understanding that at AM General our purpose is to serve those who serve to protect us.

We R.I.D.E. with Sgt. Smith!  
 
   We are Responsive       We have Integrity            We are Dynamic              We exhibit Excellence 

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Lead the interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements at AM General’s Indiana operations
  • Serve as the primary contact for union representatives and internal stakeholders on labor matters
  • Manage the grievance and arbitration process, ensuring timely resolution and consistent contract application
  • Provide training and guidance to supervisors and managers on contract compliance and labor relations best practices
  • Oversee the hourly recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes
  • Develop strategies to maintain adequate staffing levels and support operational efficiency
  • Partner with operations leadership to forecast labor needs and address workforce challenges proactively
  • Review, recommend, and update HR and labor policies to ensure alignment with organizational goals and regulatory requirements
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment legislation across all HR and labor activities
  • Communicate policy updates and compliance expectations to leadership, staff, and the union as appropriate
  • Consult with legal counsel on complex labor or personnel matters as needed
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to HR systems, processes, and reporting
  • Maintain and enhance HR information systems to support data integrity and workforce analytics
  • Set department goals and performance metrics aligned with organizational objectives
  • Supervise and develop HR team members to ensure strong service delivery and professional growth
  • Partner with executives and department leaders to support business goals, cultural initiatives, and employee engagement
  • Participate in committees, special projects, and cross-functional initiatives to support organizational priorities

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

  • Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or related field preferred or equivalent experience
  • 5+ years of professional experience in labor relations or human resources within a unionized manufacturing environment, preferably UAW
  • 5+ years of supervisory or leadership experience
  • Strong understanding of collective bargaining agreements, grievance administration, and labor contract interpretation
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
  • High level of initiative, independence, and follow‑through
  • Strong problem-solving, organizational, and customer service skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HRIS platforms, preferably UKG
  • Ability to multi‑task, prioritize effectively, and maintain high accuracy in a fast-paced environment
  • Professional certifications such as SHRM‑SCP, SHRM‑CP, SPHR, or PHR preferred
    Experience with HR data analytics, workforce planning tools, and continuous improvement methodologies

PHYSICAL EFFORT  

  • Sight: must be able to regularly read computer screen, reports, and various documents with detail and clarity to accomplish work tasks in a safe and efficient manner, including regular use of adequate close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus
  • Hearing: must be able to regularly hear well enough to communicate

WORKING CONDITIONS 

  • Physical Location: This position operates in an office within the manufacturing plant environment.
  • Teamwork: This position will work with others to ensure efficiency in the workplace
  • Ability to follow instructions: Managers assign tasks and responsibilities, which vary; this position should be able to follow instructions competently
  • Concentration: This position may perform the same or similar tasks repeatedly, so a strong level of concentration when carrying out these tasks is important for quality control purposes. This role is often fast paced, so being able to maintain focus at all times is important

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS 

 Frequent travel between facilities in Indiana (25% travel may be required) 

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in human resources, labor relations, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent experience
  • 5+ years of professional experience in labor relations or human resources within a unionized manufacturing environment, preferably UAW
  • 5+ years of supervisory or leadership experience
  • Strong understanding of collective bargaining agreements, grievance administration, and labor contract interpretation
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong problem-solving, organizational, and customer service skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and HRIS platforms, preferably UKG
  • Ability to multitask, prioritize effectively, and maintain high accuracy in a fast-paced environment
  • SHRM-SCP, SHRM-CP, SPHR, or PHR certification
  • Experience with HR data analytics, workforce planning tools, and continuous improvement methodologies
Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
HQ: South Bend, IN
1,225 Employees
Year Founded: 1971

What We Do

AM General engineers, manufactures, and supports specialized vehicles for military and commercial customers. Its portfolio includes light tactical platforms such as HUMVEE, JLTV A2, HUMVEE Saber, and HUMVEE 2-CT Hawkeye. The company develops ground-vehicle systems to help customers reach missions safely and provides mobility solutions for defense and automotive needs, backed by operations across several U.S. states and products deployed in more than 70 countries.

Similar Jobs

Cox Enterprises Logo Cox Enterprises

Senior Manager, Employee & Labor Relations

Artificial Intelligence • Automotive • Greentech • Information Technology • Machine Learning • Software • Cybersecurity
Remote or Hybrid
IN, USA
30000 Employees
112K-186K Annually

Fieldguide Logo Fieldguide

Product Manager

Artificial Intelligence • Software
In-Office or Remote
2 Locations
230 Employees
200K-290K Annually

Fieldguide Logo Fieldguide

Principal Product Manager

Artificial Intelligence • Software
In-Office or Remote
2 Locations
230 Employees
205K-275K Annually

CrowdStrike Logo CrowdStrike

Consultant

Cloud • Computer Vision • Information Technology • Sales • Security • Cybersecurity
Remote or Hybrid
USA
11000 Employees
100K-155K Annually

Similar Companies Hiring

Outpost Space Thumbnail
Aerospace • Defense
Los Angeles, California
38 Employees
Ford Energy Thumbnail
Automotive • Software • Energy • Utilities • Manufacturing • Renewable Energy
Glendale, Kentucky
55 Employees
Vega Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Automotive • Insurance • Transportation
US
65 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account