Senior Manager Human Resources

JTEKT North America | Greenville, South Carolina | North American Headquarters

Why JTEKT

At JTEKT North America, we are driven by excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. As a leading manufacturer of automotive and industrial technologies, including steering systems, driveline components, bearings, and machine tools we develop solutions that keep industries moving forward.

Our culture is built on safety, quality, teamwork, integrity, and respect. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we are committed to creating an environment where associates can grow, contribute, and make a meaningful impact.

Position Overview

JTEKT North America is seeking a Senior Regional Human Resources Manager. This role plays a critical part in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, strengthening organizational effectiveness, developing leadership capability, and fostering a positive workplace culture. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of manufacturing operations, strategic HR leadership, and the ability to influence and drive results across a complex, matrixed organization.

Assigned sites and areas of responsibility will evolve based on business needs and will be collaboratively determined following placement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Partnership & Business Alignment

• Partner with business unit executives, plant managers, and local HR teams to develop, communicate, and execute Hoshin goals and strategic business objectives.
• Support annual business planning, policy development and deployment, succession planning, organizational effectiveness, and the development of a preferred workplace culture.

Multi-Site HR Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Build strong partnerships with local HR and plant leadership teams through regular communication, collaboration, onsite visits and audits.
• Proactively identify organizational challenges, facilitate fact-based problem-solving, and address root causes to improve business and people outcomes.

Employee Relations, Compliance & Risk Management

• Review and coordinate responses to compliance and ethics hotline concerns for assigned business units, working with local HR teams and other appropriate partners to investigate and resolve issues.
• Partner with Corporate Legal on requests involving corrective counseling, employment termination, and separation agreements.

Leadership Development & Organizational Culture

• Coach and develop plant HR managers, supervisors, and other members of the management team to strengthen leadership effectiveness and accountability.
• Support leadership capability, talent development, organizational change, and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Lead cross-functional project teams and contribute to key business initiatives that advance JTEKT’s strategic priorities.

Leadership & Supervisory Responsibilities

• Potentially provide direct supervision of an HR team at a non-manufacturing location.

• Influence leaders and teams across the organization, including those outside the position’s direct reporting structure.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

The ideal candidate combines strategic business perspective with strong HR expertise, practical manufacturing experience, and the ability to build credibility across all levels of the organization.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Servant leadership and a commitment to helping others succeed.
• Coaching, mentoring, and developing leaders and teams.
• Leading organizational change and shaping a positive, high-performance culture.
• Influencing stakeholders and driving results without relying solely on direct authority.

Strategic & Business Acumen

• Strategic thinking, critical analysis, and effective root-cause problem-solving.
• Results orientation and the ability to connect HR strategies and practices to measurable business outcomes.
• Understanding of HR technology, HRIS solutions, and the evolving impact of technology on talent management.

HR Expertise & Professional Judgment

• Comprehensive knowledge of strategic and operational HR functions, processes, and practices.
• Strong employee relations, compliance, and risk-management judgment.
• Credibility and the ability to build trust with executives, plant leaders, and associates.

Communication

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Foster open, honest, and constructive communication using a coaching-oriented approach.

Education & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of experience in HR-related functions with a manufacturing company.
• Experience working in an international, foreign-owned manufacturing company.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively within a matrixed organization.

Preferred

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) or SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certification.
• Experience with HRIS management and related HR technology.

Work Environment & Travel

• Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments, with substantial computer use and routine interaction with manufacturing operations.
• Manufacturing-area visits require compliance with applicable safety requirements, including the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and hearing protection.
• Travel requirement: approximately 40–75% by automobile and airplane, including routine onsite visits to assigned locations.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

The employee may perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.