Plant HR Manager - Michigan

In this position… 

As the Manager, Employee Relations, you will lead and develop a high-performing Employee Relations team, ensuring the fair, consistent, and timely resolution of complex employee and labor relations issues. This critical role involves close partnership with HR leadership, deep expertise in labor agreements and employment law, and a commitment to fostering a compliant and ethical work environment. You will drive strategic ER initiatives, manage case escalation, and oversee team performance.

What you'll do…

• Team Leadership & Case Management: Lead, coach, and develop the ER team. Distribute and manage all casework, serving as the primary point of contact for complex and escalated issues, including ethics and compliance investigations.
• Labor Relations & Compliance: Manage and resolve union and work council relations issues, including direct ownership of grievance processes and disciplinary matters, ensuring fairness, consistency, and timeliness. Actively participate in collective bargaining agreements and negotiations. Ensure strict compliance with all employment laws, regulations, and company policies, including responding to discrimination charges and collaborating with legal counsel.
• Policy & Process Excellence: Interpret, administer, and ensure consistent application of company policies and procedures related to employee relations and workplace conduct. Assist in the design and implementation of performance management systems and drive continuous improvement in ER processes.
• Strategic Planning & Analytics: Develop long-term ER goals aligned with the organization's business strategy. Oversee the maintenance of accurate ER records, prepare reports, and analyze trends to identify areas for intervention and strategic improvement.
• HR Partnership: Collaborate closely with HR leadership, HR Business Partners, and other departments to ensure consistent policy implementation and foster a positive, highly motivated, and ethical work environment.

You'll have...

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in Employee Relations or a related field (5 years with a Master's degree).
• Proven expertise in managing complex ER cases, labor relations, policy interpretation, and compliance.
• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement ER strategies and manage team performance.

Even better, you may have...

• Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP)
• Certified Labor Relations Professional (CLRP)
• Master’s Degree

Work Requirements…

* Must be flexible to work onsite at our plants in South East Michigan. Eligible for relocation. *

This role requires onsite presence at the manufacturing plant to fulfill job responsibilities. Involves occasional (defined as one-third or less of the time) lifting of no more than 10 pounds at a time. Work is performed primarily in a seated position and entails no significant stooping, climbing, etc. Role does require time walking and standing on plant manufacturing floor at least 20% of the time. Many sedentary jobs require good use of the hands and fingers for repetitive hand-finger actions. Working conditions occur within low to moderate noise levels related to the use of standard office or classroom equipment.

Skills:…

• Business Acumen
• Change Management and Organizational Design
• Collaboration
• Customer Service
• Conflict Resolution
• Critical Thinking
• Compliance
• Drive for Results and Sense of Urgency
• Employee Advocacy
• Employee and Labor Relations
• Employment Laws and Regulations
• HR Information Systems                                          
• HR Management Systems
• HR Programs and Policies
• Innovation
• Interpersonal Communication
• Leading Transformation Change
• Lean Methodology
• Performance Management
• Planning
• Problem Solving
• Resourcefulness
• Strong Interpersonal and Influencing Skills
• Talent Management

This description outlines the general nature and scope of work typically performed in this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, work requirements, etc. It may vary slightly based on business or geographic needs and is subject to being reviewed and updated periodically.   

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. 

For a detailed look at our benefits, click here:

New Hire Benefits

This position is a leadership level 6. 

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a culturally diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

 

 

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