HR & Labor Relations Director - Manufacturing

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Vestas is the world's largest wind turbine manufacturing company with significant operations in the United States.

HR & Labor Relations Director – Manufacturing

Responsible for leading HR for Blades and Nacelles Manufacturing Facilities as part of Vestas Americas Manufacturing. The role includes oversight of HR strategy, programs, processes and initiatives in the areas of workforce planning, talent acquisition, employee and labor relations, leadership development and coaching, performance management, retention strategies and succession planning. Deliver strategic support to factory leadership teams and lead a local HR team to ensure alignment of HR initiatives to strategic business goals and execution.

• Serve as a Strategic People & Culture (P&C) Business Partner to factory leaders to plan, develop and implement concrete people strategies to ensure the staffing and performance of the sites.
• Directly supervise a team of P&C Business partners providing ongoing feedback, coaching and development.
• Collaborate with functional P&C colleagues including Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Compensation & Benefits, HR Systems and Operations, and Employee Relations to ensure regional and global alignment of key practices and local effectiveness.
• Conduct annual workforce planning discussions that include evaluation of internal staffing and skill demands relative to market availability, competency requirements versus existing competencies, and organizational design improvements. Work with management and P&C colleagues to identify and implement annual plans to ensure appropriate staffing and development.
• Provide subject matter expertise on change management, people strategies, effective leadership and management skills, learning and development processes and organizational effectiveness.
• Partner with leadership to develop and implement succession planning through identification, development, mentoring, and training of key positions.
• Address complex employee relations issues within the business environment by assessing the situation, identifying root cause and providing effective and strategic resolution to increase alignment with company vision, goals and related employment laws and practices. Coach, counsel and recommend solutions to managers and employees concerning employee relations issues. Analyze the facts and recommend appropriate action for the issue.
• Where applicable, manage relationships with Union representatives. Negotiate and administer collective bargaining agreements. Ensure compliance with CBAs and timely resolution of grievances.
• Develop and implement strategies and tools to strategically identify, mitigate, and respond to labor risks.
• Ensure policies, procedures and practices comply with employment laws and align with company strategic goals. Advise management on strategies designed to maintain consistent treatment and compliance with employment laws to create an environment that encourages employee creativity and innovation.
• Provide guidance to management on strategies to effectively evaluate employee performance to reduce the risk of employment litigation, increase employee morale, and minimize turnover.
• Identify training needs within functional areas of responsibility, assist with the development of training programs, and conduct training if required. This will ensure employees and managers understand company policies, minimize employee relations issues and enhance employee development.
• Participate in process improvement efforts and cross-functional teams to ensure our processes are streamlined and meet expectations. Monitor internal trends as well as practices of other companies to make recommendations to management to ensure the company remains competitive and is able to attract/retain qualified employees

• Minimum of BA/BS degree with at least 10 years of related HR / OD experience or the equivalent.
• 5 years' experience managing direct reports
• Experience with supporting multiple locations, experience with supporting manufacturing workforce
• Requires demonstrated HR generalist or business partnering experience and knowledge of all HR functions.
• Labor Relations experience - experience working in a unionized environment and with union avoidance campaigns.
• Demonstrated knowledge of U.S. employment law required.
• Demonstrated flexibility working in a diverse and changing organization.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks concurrently with emphasis on attention to detail.
• Skilled in interpersonal communication and able to build and sustain effective working relationships with all internal colleagues and stakeholders.
• Advanced organizational skills, ability to prioritize and work with accuracy and efficiency.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Comprehensive computer skills,…