Sr. Manager, Human Resources - Fairfield

For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil.

Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

The Sr. Human Resources Manager will be responsible for leading the people strategy and operations for the Ferrara – Fairfield site, Home of Jelly Belly. This includes maintaining and enhancing the People and Organization team by planning, implementing, and evaluating integration plans, business strategies, labor relations, employee relations, recruitment and human resources policies, programs, and practices. The Sr. Human Resources Manager also leads change and improvement in bottom-line results and implements corporate organizational initiatives and programs with a high degree of efficiency and accuracy.

This role reports to the VP, HR - Manufacturing. Expected travel will be ~15%.

• Leads and develops the site People & Organization team, including strategic workforce planning, budget management, performance management, and all other responsibilities associated with functional leadership while leveraging the Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, and Total Rewards teams as needed.
• Partners with employees at all levels in the site office, visitor center, warehouse, and manufacturing plant to provide expertise and counseling for all people related needs.
• Establishes and maintains a positive employee relations environment at the facility, implement and consistently administer policies and procedures, develop and implement Issue Resolution Process, participate in local HR/management organizations.
• Partners with the plant management team to develop and communicate the Plant’s strategic plan, culture, and goals.
• Communicates benefits program, enroll new hires, assist with annual open enrollment, issue resolution, and answer benefit questions and concerns.
• Leads the plant management team on HR processes including workforce planning, annual reviews, performance/succession planning, compensation administration, organizational change and effectiveness, and onboarding.

• Demonstrated success translating business strategies into organizational and HR strategies and actions.
• Proven ability to lead and manage teams.
• Ability to communicate effectively and influence across multiple levels and functions and various group sizes.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous business situations.
• Expertise in leading change management processes.
• Experience with most, or all, of the core aspects of human resource management – e.g., staffing, employee relations, performance management, leadership development, training, retention and engagement.
• Expertise in providing insightful HR consultation to leaders and employees.
• Ability to objectively coach, influence, and mentor employees and management through complex or difficult issues.
• Courage to make tough decisions and deliver difficult messages with professionalism and poise.
• Proven ability to make quick and accurate decisions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to work effectively under pressure and deal with multiple priorities.

• BA/BS Degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration or directly related discipline
• SHRM…