HR Head (Pharmaceutical)

Job Description

Job Summary

The Head of HR oversees all people operations for our pharmaceutical manufacturing site(s). This role balances everyday plant HR needs-like shift staffing, safety compliance, and labor relations-with long-term strategies to keep our workforce skilled, motivated, and aligned with strict industry regulations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Plant Operations & Compliance

• Regulatory Alignment: Ensure all HR practices align with manufacturing standards, including FDA, cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice), and local safety regulations.

• Shift & Capacity Planning: Partner with plant managers to ensure optimal staffing levels across all shifts to prevent production downtime.

• Safety & Wellness: Work closely with the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team to maintain a safe work environment and manage workers compensation or health claims.

2. Talent Acquisition & Training

• Specialized Recruiting: Lead recruitment efforts for highly specialized roles, from line operators and technicians to quality assurance scientists and chemical engineers.

• Onboarding & Training: Oversee mandatory compliance training schedules, ensuring every worker is certified for their specific tasks before touching the floor.

• Retention: Build clear career paths for technical and operational staff to minimize turnover on the manufacturing floor.

3. Employee & Labor Relations

• Floor Presence: Maintain a strong, visible presence on the manufacturing floor to understand worker challenges and address grievances early.

• Labor Relations: Manage union relationships (if applicable) and ensure fair, consistent enforcement of company policies and labor laws.

• Compensation & Benefits: Oversee competitive wage structures, shift differentials, and benefits packages that attract reliable manufacturing talent.

Key Requirements

• Experience: 7+ years of HR experience, with at least 3 years leading HR teams in a pharmaceutical or highly regulated manufacturing environment (e.g., medical devices, food production).

• Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of cGMP guidelines, labor laws, and manufacturing safety standards.

• Skills: Strong conflict resolution skills, experience managing shift-based worker challenges, and the ability to talk easily with both executive leadership and floor operators.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional HR certifications (like SHRM or HRCI) are a plus.