At Benchmark , we are driven by our purpose: to innovate for a healthier, safer, and better-connected world to create a brighter future. When you join us, you become part of a team passionate about making a meaningful impact across various sectors, including commercial aerospace, defense, advanced computing, next-generation communications, complex industrials, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment. We prioritize career growth, fostering a culture that ensures you reach your full potential. At Benchmark, your work is purpose-driven, enabling you to create a positive impact on the world and make your career truly meaningful. You’ll be part of a collaborative and inclusive team that values your ideas and contributions.
Summary:
The Manager, Human Resources serves as the senior HR leader for the Rochester manufacturing site, partnering closely with site leadership to drive employee relations, workforce effectiveness, talent strategies, organizational development, compliance, and business performance.
This role provides both strategic and hands-on HR leadership in support of a dynamic manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor to leaders at all levels, helping them navigate complex employee matters, strengthen leadership capability, drive organizational effectiveness, and foster a positive, high-performing workplace culture.
The Manager, Human Resources leads employee relations and recruiting activities while ensuring Benchmark maintains compliance with company policies, procedures, and all applicable federal and state employment regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic HR Leadership
- Serve as a trusted business partner to site leadership, providing guidance on organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, employee engagement, leadership development, and talent management.
- Partner with leaders to identify organizational needs and develop HR strategies that support business objectives and operational success.
- Develop department goals, objectives, systems, and process improvements that enhance workforce effectiveness and HR service delivery.
- Drive a culture of accountability, fairness, communication, and continuous improvement across the site.
Employee Relations & Leadership Support
- Lead employee relations efforts, ensuring compliance, fairness, consistency, and sound decision-making.
- Serve as the primary resource for leaders and managers regarding co-worker issues, employee relations concerns, performance management, and workplace conflict.
- Handle employee counseling and provide recommendations for addressing complex co-worker issues and interpersonal conflicts.
- Support leaders in performance improvement efforts and disciplinary actions up to and including termination.
- Foster a positive employee experience through proactive problem-solving and effective communication.
Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
- Supervise and lead recruiting efforts in partnership with Talent Acquisition and external recruiting resources as appropriate.
- Recommend and select new hires while ensuring compliance with hiring processes and employment regulations.
- Support succession planning and workforce development efforts aligned with business needs.
Compliance, Policy & Risk Management
- Administer various human resources programs, policies, and procedures for site employees.
- Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of personnel policies, procedures, and the co-worker handbook.
- Ensure site compliance with company policies, federal and state employment laws, and regulatory requirements.
- Develop responses to unemployment claims and other employment-related legal matters and participate in hearings as appropriate.
- Partner with in-house counsel on employment-related matters and risk mitigation.
- Conduct routine audits and plant tours, including attendance, HR records, and policy compliance reviews.
Training & Employee Development
- Support and monitor training programs related to interviewing, onboarding, workplace conduct, harassment prevention, and employee development.
- Present HR-related information at site meetings, employee meetings, and leadership forums.
- Promote leadership capability through coaching, mentoring, and organizational development initiatives.
- Team Leadership Lead and develop HR Administrators and HR Generalists.
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management for direct reports.
- Promote collaboration and alignment across HR functions and Centers of Excellence.
Additional Responsibilities
- Assist with other HR functions and strategic initiatives as needed.
- Perform additional responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or related field preferred, or a combination of education and experience as approved by executive management.
- Minimum of 6 years of Human Resources experience required.
- Extensive training and experience in employee relations, recruiting, and employment practices.
Required Skills & Experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong employee relations, conflict resolution, and workplace investigation capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to coach, influence, and develop leaders at all organizational levels.
- Demonstrates discretion, confidentiality, independent judgment, and professionalism.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision while exercising sound judgment and decision-making.
- Understanding of and ability to use continuous improvement methodologies and tools.
- Strong customer service mindset and business partnership approach.
- Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, including the ability to coach and mentor employees at all levels.
- Ability to collaborate and influence cross-functional leaders to gain support for process improvements and organizational initiatives.
- Ability to gain trust and credibility while handling sensitive, confidential, and business-critical matters.
Preferred Experience
- Manufacturing, industrial, engineering, EMS, aerospace, medical device, or other operational business environments.
- Leadership experience supporting complex employee relations and workforce initiatives.
- Experience partnering directly with plant, operations, or functional leaders.
- Experience driving organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
Physical Location: Rochester, MN (onsite)
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
Full Time
Compensation Range: $90,000.00 to $110,000.00 USD. Many factors are considered in compensation decisions, including but not limited to skills, certifications, licensures, experience, training, incumbent data, and other business needs.
Benefits and Other Compensation: Benchmark provides a comprehensive benefits package, including a Bonus Plan, 401(k), Paid Time Off, and Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, all based on scheduled hours. Benchmark complies with applicable state and local employee leave laws.
Application Deadline: This job posting will remain open until filled.
Additional Notices: Benchmark adheres to applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits. This includes, but is not limited to, providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies. Candidates applying for remote work based in Washington state, may obtain PTO eligibility for this position by emailing [email protected] .
Export Control: This job position may include access to controlled information or technology covered under applicable U.S. export control laws. As such, employment for this job position may be contingent on either verification that an applicant falls under the definition of a “U.S. Person” (which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and those granted U.S. asylum or refugee status) or on the Company timely obtaining any necessary export license required under federal laws. The Company evaluates such export license situations on a case-by-case basis and may decline to proceed with a job applicant in its sole discretion since export license applications can take many weeks to be processed.
Benchmark is an equal opportunity employer. We are bringing together a dynamic workforce with unique talents, life experiences, cultures, and perspectives to promote an innovative, collaborative, and creative place to work. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected] .
