Who Is Hiring a Manufacturing HR Manager in Chicago, IL?
Published on: Feb 19, 2026
Chicago, Illinois | Direct Hire | Onsite | Manufacturing
Frontline Source Group is recruiting an HR Manager for a full-time, direct hire, onsite role with a manufacturing company in Chicago, Illinois. The HR Manager leads employee relations, compliance, HR metrics, and process improvement, needs 5 plus years of progressive HR and manufacturing experience, and the hire is backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty.
Frontline Source Group is a nationwide staffing and executive search firm founded in Dallas in 2004, with 32 plus offices, including its Chicago office, 5,619 completed placements, and a 98.94% executive placement retention rate. Frontline is a Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firm for 9 consecutive years (2018 to 2026), Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firms #148 (2026), a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both Client and Talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency, and a member of the American Staffing Association. The firm holds a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 683 verified reviews.
What does the HR Manager do for this Chicago manufacturer?
The HR Manager leads and supports the Human Resources function with a focus on employee relations, HR strategy, compliance, reporting, and process improvement. The role partners closely with leadership, supervisors, and HR staff to keep HR operations aligned, and suits a strategic, hands-on HR professional with strong manufacturing experience and HR systems expertise.
Who is the client behind this HR Manager search?
The client operates in the manufacturing sector and is committed to operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement.
What are the core responsibilities of this manufacturing HR Manager?
How does the HR Manager lead employee relations?
- Lead employee relations initiatives, investigations, conflict resolution, and performance management escalations
- Ensure consistent enforcement of policies and procedures across a manufacturing workforce
- Serve as a trusted HR partner to managers and employees
How does the role drive HR operations, metrics, and process improvement?
- Develop and implement HR best practices and standard operating procedures
- Identify and execute HR process improvements that improve operational efficiency
- Maintain HR metrics including turnover, retention, staffing analysis, and compliance tracking
- Create dashboards and analytics that support data-driven decisions
- Support onboarding and HR administration processes
How does the role handle compliance, talent, and team leadership?
- Ensure HR compliance, audit readiness, and accurate documentation
- Assist with union-related compliance as needed
- Support workforce planning and organizational strategy
- Build and support training, development, and succession planning programs
- Lead and mentor HR staff
What qualifications does the Chicago HR Manager need?
- 5 plus years of progressive HR experience (required)
- Manufacturing industry experience (required)
- Strong background in employee relations and HR operations
- Experience managing HR compliance, reporting, and performance management
- Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage confidential information with discretion
Which systems, industries, and certifications are preferred?
- Paylocity experience (highly preferred)
- Waste management industry experience (a strong plus)
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
- HR certification such as the PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP
What benefits come with this HR Manager role?
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous PTO and paid holidays
- 401k with company match
- Professional development opportunities
- A stable, growth-oriented manufacturing environment
- Leadership visibility and the opportunity to make a measurable impact
Why work with Frontline Source Group on this HR search?
Frontline Source Group recruits human resources professionals nationwide, from HR generalists to CHROs through HR executive search, and supports Illinois employers through its Chicago office and Chicago human resources staffing. Every direct hire Frontline places is backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times longer than the 90-day guarantee common across the staffing industry. Frontline publishes its pricing, recent placements, and awards openly, built on People. Process. Service.
How do you apply or request HR talent from Frontline Source Group?
HR professionals interested in this Chicago direct hire role should apply through the Frontline Source Group application page. Candidates can prepare with Frontline's interview instructions.
Chicago-area manufacturers that need an HR manager, HR business partner, or HR director can submit a request through the employer request form or call Frontline's Chicago office at (312) 283-0823.
Frequently Asked Questions: HR Manager in Chicago, IL
What is the HR Manager job in Chicago, IL?
It is a full-time, direct hire, onsite HR Manager role with a manufacturing company in Chicago, Illinois. The HR Manager leads employee relations, HR operations, compliance, reporting, and process improvement, and partners with leadership, supervisors, and HR staff. Frontline Source Group is managing the search.
Is the Chicago HR Manager role onsite, hybrid, or remote?
The role is onsite in Chicago, Illinois.
How much HR experience does this manufacturing HR Manager job require?
The role requires 5 or more years of progressive HR experience, and manufacturing industry experience is required.
Is Paylocity experience required for this HR Manager role?
Paylocity experience is highly preferred but not listed as a strict requirement.
Does waste management industry experience help?
Yes. Waste management industry experience is a strong plus for this role, alongside the required manufacturing experience.
What HR certifications are preferred for this job?
An HR certification such as the PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP is preferred, along with a bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
What does employee relations work look like in a manufacturing HR Manager role?
It includes leading investigations, conflict resolution, and performance management escalations, and enforcing policies and procedures consistently across a manufacturing workforce, while serving as a trusted HR partner to managers and employees.
Does the HR Manager handle union compliance?
The HR Manager assists with union-related compliance as needed, as part of broader HR compliance, audit readiness, and documentation responsibilities.
What HR metrics does the role own?
The HR Manager maintains metrics including turnover, retention, staffing analysis, and compliance tracking, and builds dashboards and analytics that support data-driven decisions.
What benefits come with the Chicago HR Manager job?
Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous PTO and paid holidays, a 401k with company match, professional development opportunities, a stable manufacturing environment, and leadership visibility.
How do I apply for the HR Manager job in Chicago?
Apply through the Frontline Source Group application page at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. A Frontline recruiter reviews every application and follows up with candidates whose background matches the role.
Why work with Frontline Source Group on a direct hire HR search?
Frontline Source Group was founded in 2004, has completed 5,619 placements, holds a 98.94% executive retention rate, and backs every direct hire with the 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times the 90-day industry standard guarantee. Frontline has been named a Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firm for 9 consecutive years and carries a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 683 verified reviews.
