Opportunity Snapshot

This position offers you the opportunity to assume leadership of an established, well-run HR function and make substantial contributions to the overall success of the management team.

You will oversee an HR organization supporting about 1,000 employees in eight states, acting as the subject matter expert across all aspects of HR and advising people at all levels of the company. To be a good fit for this opportunity, you will have significant and broad HR management experience with an emphasis in generalist practice, preferably in manufacturing and ideally including union environments. You'll need experience in organizations with multiple locations in multiple states and demonstrated hands-on familiarity with the full scope of HR. We're looking for a strong leader with a team player attitude and outstanding communication skills.

Since 1952, THARCO has been providing "Multiple Value-Added Packaging Solutions" to our customers, leveraging a diverse offering of products and services, from extensive and flexible registered manufacturing to design engineering to inventory management.

What Else You'll Bring to the Table

In addition to the qualifications detailed above, you'll need:

• A bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline. We also will consider candidates with a comparable and relevant combination of experience, education, and training.
• Proven credentials in benefit administration, employee relations, and labor relations, and familiarity with other facets of HR, including compensation, recruitment, training and HRIS.
• Some exposure to unions; experience as an active participant in collective bargaining, mediation, and/or arbitration would be a strong plus.
• Skill in preparing and communicating persuasive arguments.
• Strong writing skills and experience developing handbooks, training materials, etc.
• A proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Solid research skills.
• Strong presentation abilities.
• Proficient with MS Office and ERP systems.

Preferred but not required:

• Experience with payroll/timekeeping applications (we use ADP and Kronos).
• Experience working directly with attorneys and decision makers regarding legal issues.
• Strong involvement in bringing benefits to the table, ideally including negotiating with brokers and/or providers.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001.

You also will need to be willing and able to travel nationally about 10% of the time, particularly at first as you become familiar with our 11 locations.

What's in It for You

Broad impact -- you will make direct contributions to all aspects of HR, from negotiating benefits to consulting with managers on employee relations issues. You'll interact on a regular basis with people throughout THARCO, from answering an employee's benefits question to advising our senior decision makers on HR issues.

Diverse challenges -- there won't be any such thing as a "typical day"! You'll leverage your multitasking skills with activities as diverse as interpreting the handbook for an employee, advising the production staff regarding union contracts, and establishing processes and procedures. We are now owned by a private equity firm and you will play a key role in future initiatives to take the organization to the next level.

Great work environment -- we enjoy a casual but results-oriented culture, and our management team embraces an open door policy. We encourage work/life balance throughout the company; at the same time, if you are the person we're looking for, you understand that ultimately you will be responsible for ensuring that all HR goals are achieved.

Excellent compensation -- in addition to a competitive salary we offer a comprehensive benefits package. In fact, you'll ensure that our comp and benefits continue to attract the talent we need for growth.

More About Your Role

You will report to our Chief Financial Officer, although we're less concerned with titles than with driving results. The HR organization includes two Administrators here in the San Lorenzo corporate office, which is also our largest manufacturing facility. One Administrator supports the plant operations here (including the plant General Manager), and the other focuses on corporate HR functions. Of course, everyone pitches in when necessary.

There are another five Administrators at the major locations (Santa Fe Springs, CA; Seattle, WA; Denver, CO; Austin, TX; and Atlanta, GA). These individuals report to the General Managers (GMs) of the plants and have a dotted line responsibility to you. Typically these five GMs oversee a manufacturing plant as well as a sales and warehouse facility in another location. They will be among your key internal customers.

You'll oversee all aspects of HR, including:

• Managing administration of benefits programs such as life, health, dental and disability insurances; 401(k) plan; vacation; FMLA/CFL/PFL related and non-related leaves of absence; employee assistance; and W/C issues. This will include coordinating open enrollment and negotiating with providers.
• Supervising, mentoring and developing the HR staff.
• Coordinating all legal matters including investigations, arbitrations, grievances, document preparation, etc., with outside counsel and senior management.
• Being a key contributing member during local collective bargaining with unions, including assisting in the development and presentation of company positions/proposals in labor contract negotiations, and assisting in the interpretation and implementation of contract issues.
• Providing analysis of compensation, recruitment and retention data and the potential impact on the company's employee relations strategies.
• Working closely with the company's outside employment counsel and senior management on policies and practices.
• Providing advice and counsel to senior management regarding the employee relations implications of management decisions.
• Advising Managers and Supervisors in appropriate resolution of employee relations issues, and supporting the organization's efforts to create a positive work environment.
• Identifying legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting human resources functions and ensuring policies, procedures, and reporting are in compliance.
• Administering the Performance Evaluation/Salary Administration Program to ensure compliance and equity within the organization. This will include conducting wage surveys within the labor markets to determine competitive wage rate.
• Coordinating/initiating management and (as appropriate) employee training in interviewing, hiring, terminations, promotions, performance review, safety, and sexual harassment.

Keys to Success

To excel in this role, you will be an HR pro with a knowledge base built on hands-on experience. You will have the broad leadership skills to provide mentoring to your staff, counsel to managers and executives, and guidance to all our employees. You also will be willing to roll up your sleeves to achieve goals in our lean environment.

If this sounds like the right mix of challenge and opportunity for you, and you meet the minimum qualifications, we want to hear from you!

Who We Are

For 57 years, THARCO has delivered full scope packaging solutions through our extensive offering of products and services including:

• Our industry leading "Stock Box Program" where we maintain over 1,600 SKUs of standard size boxes for same day pick-up or next day delivery.
• Our large and experienced staff of over 25 packaging designers with expertise in graphic, structural and cushion packaging engineering.
• Our extensive and flexible manufacturing capabilities that allow us to meet the demanding needs of our customers for quick turnaround, small or large order sizes, and high quality customized corrugated and foam packaging in a wide range of sizes and styles.