Friendly’s Ice Cream is looking for a talented Senior Human Resource Manager for the Retail, Manufacturing and Distribution businesses within the Support Center, the corporate headquarters located in Wilbraham, Massachusetts.  We have been in business for 77 years and we have a wealth of opportunities to offer those for career growth, to be financially rewarded and to be part of a family environment. Our restaurants expand from the Northeast, throughout the Mid Atlantic states and down through Florida. We are an Employer of Choice that practices promoting from within!

JOB SUMMARY: The Senior Human Resource Manager serves as the HR leader for the Manufacturing, Distribution and Retail businesses within Wilbraham, Chicopee and York locations. Responsibilities include providing direct HR leadership and support to management and employees within the organization and to lead key HR policies/processes, manage talent acquisition, development, retention, drive change initiatives and organizational effectiveness by building credibility and effective working relationships to ensure positive employee relations. Also responsible to initiate/lead/participate in Lean Six Sigma, process improvements initiatives and special projects that support the strategic business and HR objectives of Friendly’s Manufacturing, Distribution and Retail businesses.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Deliver highly effective HR management/support/programs in order to drive positive business results through strategic hiring, new hire orientation and on-boarding, exit interview reporting, employee relations, policy adoptions/revisions, employee and management coaching, performance and talent management, OD, succession planning, and development programs to prepare employees for more significant responsibilities. .

2. Create and implement strategic departmental goals for HR in alignment with the company objectives with a focus toward remaining union-free. Develop human resource planning models to identify competency, knowledge and talent gaps and develop specific programs for the filling of the gaps.

3. Serve as employee advocate for Friendly’s employees within the non-union manufacturing & distribution businesses. Ensure all federal/state laws, HR related compliance issues are understood and effectively managed. Continue improving the programs, policies, practices and processes associated with meeting the strategic logics and operational people issues of the organization.

4. Closely partner with leadership group to align and provide HR service, expertise, insight and solutions to advance the client group’s and Friendly’s mission, values, and business objectives. Manage and assist with the day-to-day delivery of HR services to client groups and be an available resource to employees at all levels.

5. Advise managers/team leaders regarding employee relations, compensation, benefits, policy administration, disciplinary actions and all other matters involving the work and life issues of employees. Identify and determine management training needs and deliver programs/resources.

6.  Provide a framework for a culture of Continuous Improvement, including principles of Six Sigma.  Help operations, engineering and maintenance personnel to define and initiate continuous improvement projects, enforce project rigor.  Lead cross-functional teams to drive manufacturing process and product improvements, drive simplification, stability and standardization of business processes in various functional areas including order fulfillment, supply chain, engineering, procurement, operations, quality management, and support functions.  Facilitate workouts, value stream mapping sessions, and Kaizen events.
                                                                                          

7.  Manage the budget and other HR metrics associated with the Retail & distribution Human Resources function.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Four-year degree in HR or any combination of education and work experience that will produce the necessary skill level required.

3-5 years of management experience and some combination of HR generalist and specialist roles or any combination of education and work experience that will produce the necessary skill level required.

HR Certification and background/experience in Lean Six Sigma, process improvement initiatives required.

Prior successful experience managing/developing one or more direct reports.

Minimum 2 years project management

Experience in both manufacturing and transactional processes required.

Strong technical HR skills, including legal and process compliance. Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.

Strong ability to influence and coach leaders, including director and VP level clients. Ability to lead and be a member of a team.  

Capability to quickly understand business objectives and collaborate effectively with business

leaders to help them through HR solutions.

Proven experience in facilitating, influencing, motivating and leading teams

Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities and tasks under tight timeframes

Strategic business partner and change agent

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Strong employee relations skills, including ability to work in teams and drive positive employee relations.

Works effectively with employees at all levels of the organization.

Drive to succeed, including continuous improvement focus

Highest level of integrity and ability to keep information confidential

We offer a Benefits Program that recognizes your health, invests in your future, balances your work and life and rewards you for your performance:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Insurance
• Delta Dental Insurance
• Eye Care Savings Plan
• Health Care & Dependent Care Spending Accounts
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Employee Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• On The Job Travel Accident Insurance
• 401K Plan
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Auto & Homeowners Insurance
• 15% Employee Discount Program
• Employee Anniversary Recognition
• Competitive Base Pay
• Bonus Plan
• Recognition Program
• Quality of Life and More!

If you possess these qualifications and can demonstrate previous successes in the management and execution of similar functions, please submit a resume, along with a cover letter to hr@Friendlys.com . Please use reference code: CL-MB-SL. Principals only, no recruiters.