Corporate Human Resources Manager

Company Description Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc. is America’s largest and oldest family-owned crib mattress manufacturer and a recognized leader in innovative baby product design. Founded in 1946, the company designs and manufactures a wide range of baby products, including strollers, baby walkers, baby carriers, cribs, and bedding essentials. Kolcraft’s portfolio includes trusted brands such as Kolcraft®, Contours®, Sealy®, Tempur-Pedic®, and Sesame Street®. The company has been recognized by Crain’s for extensive product innovation and earned a Guinness World Records distinction in 2018. Candidates joining Kolcraft will be part of a growth-oriented organization focused on quality, safety, and creativity in baby products.

Job Summary

The Human Resource Manager operates as a department of one, managing the full employee lifecycle for the corporate office and providing oversight for the company's North Carolina manufacturing plant. This role balances strategic HR management, multi-state compliance, and daily main office operations. Beyond traditional HR functions, this position champions company culture by planning corporate events and managing office vendors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Human Resources & Payroll (60%)

• Department of One Management: Oversee all corporate HR processes including recruitment, interviewing, background checks, onboarding, and offboarding.
• Payroll & HRIS Administration: Prepares semi-monthly payroll and reviews weekly NC Plant payroll, manage employee data, and pull reports using ADP TotalSource.
• Plant Oversight: Act as a dotted-line manager to the plant-based HR Manager in North Carolina, providing guidance on complex employee relations and corporate HR alignment.
• Benefits & 401(k) Administration: Manage open enrollment, invoice reconciliation, and day-to-day administration for health, dental, vision, and 401(k) plans.
• Compliance: Ensure company compliance with federal, corporate, and North Carolina state labor laws, safety standards, and manufacturing regulations.
• Employee Relations: Handle conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, performance improvement plans, and annual performance review cycles.

Office Management & Operations (30%)

• Daily Operations: Manage the physical main office environment, ensuring it remains organized, stocked, and fully functional.
• Vendor Management: Source and manage contracts with office vendors, including office supplies and storage units.
• Facilities Coordination: Serve as the main point of contact for building management, maintenance requests, and security badges.

Culture & Event Planning (10%)

• Event Coordination: Budget, plan, and execute all company parties, holiday events, and team-building activities.
• Milestone Recognition: Track and celebrate employee milestones, including birthdays, service anniversaries, and retirements, to preserve the close-knit family business culture.

Key Competencies

• Autonomy: Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Multi-Tasking: Exceptional organizational skills to seamlessly switch between HR compliance, payroll tracking, and office maintenance.
• Interpersonal Skills: Empathy, active listening, and communication styles that align with a family-owned business culture.

Job Qualifications

• Experience: 3–5 years of progressive HR experience. Experience in a manufacturing environment or small family-owned business is highly preferred.
• Systems: Proficiency with ADP TotalSource preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (or equivalent working experience). SHRM-CP or PHR certification is a plus.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Solid understanding of federal employment laws and Illinois and North Carolina state labor standards as well as Illinois and Cook county ordinances.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Environment: Split between a standard office environment and a remote home office.
• Physical Demands: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Ability to lift up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., event supplies, office deliveries).