Human Resources Director

Job Overview

HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTORJob Description

Cobalt Enterprises is a manufacturer featuring precision-machined parts and assemblies for the aerospace, defense, and commercial markets. We are located in Arlington, Washington. We are an equal opportunity employer with competitive wages and pay every week.

Job Summary

The role serves as the company’s sole HR professional, owning both people strategy and day-to-day HR administration in a manufacturing environment. This hands-on role has no direct reports and partners with executive leadership, plant management, and operational teams to build a skilled, engaged workforce; support reliable staffing across shifts; and strengthen a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

The Director directly manages talent acquisition, employee relations, compensation and benefits, workforce development, HR systems, and employment compliance while balancing business needs with fair and consistent employee practices. The role coordinates with managers, payroll and finance, external service providers, and legal counsel as needed to deliver HR support.

Typical Duties/Responsibilities

HR Strategy and Workforce Planning

· Develop and execute an HR strategy aligned with production requirements, business growth, and organizational priorities.

· Partner with managers to forecast staffing needs, identify critical skills gaps, and plan for production changes, and succession needs.

· Independently manage the HR function, prioritize strategic and daily operational needs, manage the department budget, and coordinate external HR service providers.

· Use workforce data—including retention, vacancies, overtime, absenteeism, and training completion—to identify trends and recommend improvements.

Talent Acquisition and Workforce Development

· Manage and execute recruitment and onboarding for production, skilled trades, and supervisory positions in partnership with senior management.

· Build talent pipelines through educational institutions, apprenticeship programs, community partners, and staffing providers.

· Coordinate with operations to support effective onboarding, job-specific training, skills development, and cross-training across shifts.

· Establish leadership development and succession planning programs for key operational and management roles.

· Guide managers in setting clear expectations, providing constructive feedback, and applying consistent performance management processes.

Employee and Labor Relations

· Maintain an accessible HR presence across all shifts and promote clear, timely communication between employees and leadership.

· Lead fair, timely investigations and coordinate the resolution of employee concerns while protecting confidential information.

· Advise leaders on attendance, discipline, conflict resolution, and policy interpretation.

· Develop initiatives that support employee engagement, recognition, retention, and respectful workplace practices.

Compensation, Benefits, and HR Operations

· Oversee compensation structures, job classifications, and pay reviews to support internal consistency and competitive hiring.

· Manage benefits administration and vendor relationships, including employee communications and enrollment processes.

· Partner with payroll and finance to support accurate timekeeping, payroll inputs, and workforce cost planning.

· Administer HR information systems, maintain employee records, prepare reports, and manage confidential employee data.

· Standardize and improve HR processes while maintaining practical support for building operations.

Compliance, Safety Partnership, and Change Management

· Oversee HR policies and practices designed to meet applicable employment, wage and hour, leave, and recordkeeping requirements, consulting legal counsel as needed.

· Partner with general managers on environmental, health, and safety communications, training coordination, injury-related employee support, and return-to-work processes.

· Coordinate accommodation and leave processes with management while maintaining confidentiality.

· Support audits and maintain consistent documentation of HR policies, decisions, and required training.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

· At least 8 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years independently managing an HR function with responsibility for both strategy and hands-on administration.

· Experience supporting a manufacturing or comparable industrial environment with hourly employees and multiple shifts.

· Demonstrated experience in employee relations, workforce planning, recruitment, compensation, and HR operations.

· Working knowledge of applicable employment requirements and the ability to recognize issues requiring legal or specialist guidance.

· Strong communication, conflict resolution, organizational, and analytical skills.

· Ability to build effective relationships with employees, supervisors, managers, and executives.

· Sound judgment, discretion, proficiency with HR systems and workforce reporting tools, and the ability to prioritize competing needs and manage confidential HR matters independently as the sole HR professional.

Preferred Qualifications

· HR certification, such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR.

· Experience supporting multiple manufacturing sites or a growing industrial business.

· Experience with skilled-trades recruiting, apprenticeship programs, or technical training partnerships.

· Familiarity with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and organizational change management.

Work Environment

This position works in both office and manufacturing settings and requires regular engagement with employees on the production floor. Appropriate personal protective equipment and adherence to site safety procedures are required in designated areas. Schedule flexibility may be needed to support employees and leaders across shifts.

Travel between facilities as needed.

Salary & Benefits

Salary Range - $125,000/yr to $150,000/yr - Depending on Experience (DOE)

Benefits Package -

• Medical, Prescription, Vision, Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance, (fully paid for employee)
• Voluntary Dental Insurance
• Paid Holidays (8 days per year)
• Paid Time Off (one week the first year and two weeks every year thereafter)
• 401(k) with matching up to 4%
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

Pay: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person