Human Resources Business Partner Manager

Human Resources Business Partner Manager

Department: Human Resources (CT)

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Chester, CT

We’re looking for an experienced, strategic, people-centered HRBP Manager to lead our team of HR Business Partners supporting nearly 2000 employees across multiple manufacturing sites, primarily in New Hampshire and Connecticut. This role can be based out of either our NH or CT location, with flexibility and travel between sites to stay connected to the business and the team.

This is a true people-leader role. You will be responsible for leading five HR Business Partners who support the business across our sites. This talented team is collaborative, committed, and deeply invested in supporting our people. We are seeking a leader who will learn the business, live our values, and create the conditions for each HRBP to flourish.

You’ll partner closely with leaders at all levels, helping translate business needs into effective people strategies, while also ensuring the HRBP team is supported, aligned, and continuously growing.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of five HR Business Partners, providing individualized support, feedback, and career development based on each person’s experience and needs.
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to business and site leaders on people, culture, and organizational effectiveness.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality HRBP support across sites while allowing flexibility for local needs.
• Guide and support HRBPs in key areas such as talent planning, performance management, workforce planning, employee relations, change management, and leadership coaching and development.
• Balance strategic leadership with hands-on support when needed — stepping in to help while fostering HRBP ownership.
• Promote a strong, values-driven culture that emphasizes accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with the broader HR team to effectively implement company-wide programs and initiatives at the site level, fostering high communication and collaboration across the team.
• Ensure compliance with employment laws and provide guidance on complex employee relations matters.
• Travel between NH and CT sites to maintain strong relationships and visibility.

• A people-focused leader who enjoys developing others and knows how to adapt their leadership approach to different personalities and career stages.
• Experienced in HR — typically 8+ years in progressive HR roles, including people leadership experience.
• Experienced in a manufacturing, industrial, or similarly fast-paced, operational environment.
• Both strategic and practical — able to see the big picture while still understanding day-to-day realities.
• Trusted, steady, and fair, with strong judgment in employee relations and people decisions.
• Knowledgeable about employment law, HR best practices, and building engaged, high-performing teams.
• A strong communicator with high emotional intelligence, approachability, and a good sense of humor!

• Value People
• Be Kind
• Do the Right Thing
• Own It Together
• Be the Best
• Lead the Way

If this sounds like the right next step for you, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help us continue building a workplace where people thrive.

• Comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements
• Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards
• Attend scheduled EH&S training program
• Actively support the organization’s efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans
• Recommend improved EH&S practices

Must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and third parties. This ability to communicate requires the employee to be conversant in English as the majority of our workforce and the third parties that we encounter only speak English.

The incumbent is responsible for complying with the policies in Whelen’s “Employee Handbook.”

This Job Description is to serve as a guide. It is intended to be flexible and will continue to evolve over time with business needs and demands and may be updated periodically and at the Company’s discretion. Nothing in this position description changes or is intended to change the employment at-will relationship with the Company. Employment at-will means that an employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.