Job Overview

The HR Business Partner IV plays a critical role in supporting the rapid growth and operational scaling of the DDN Optics business in Rochester, NY. This role provides both strategic and hands-on HR leadership to a manufacturing and operations environment undergoing expansion, partnering closely with senior leaders to drive talent outcomes, organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, and compliance aligned with business priorities.
This position requires on-site presence, with deep engagement across manufacturing, engineering, and operations teams, supporting a dynamic, high-growth environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Business Partnership
•    Serve as the primary HR partner to Optics leadership, with a strong focus on plant operations, manufacturing ramp-up, and workforce scalability.
•    Act as a trusted advisor to plant site leadership and business leaders, providing data-driven insights and guidance on organizational design, talent strategy, and performance. 
•    Drive workforce planning and headcount ramp strategies in alignment with business growth targets and production timelines.
•    Partner closely with Talent Acquisition to ensure timely hiring and pipeline development for critical manufacturing and technical roles.

Manufacturing & Workforce Execution
•    Support the end-to-end employee lifecycle in a manufacturing environment, including onboarding, engagement, retention, and employee relations.
•    Provide hands-on support during site ramp-up, including shift structures, workforce deployment, and stabilization of operations.
•    Partner with plant leadership to drive a high-performance, safety-oriented culture aligned with operational excellence standards.

Workforce Data Management & Analytics
•    Maintain accurate and reliable workforce data to support strategic and operational decision-making.
•    Develop, maintain, and analyze HR dashboards and reports related to headcount, attrition, talent, and workforce trends.
•    Ensure data integrity, consistency, and governance across HR systems and processes.

HR Compliance & Risk Management
•    Ensure full compliance with U.S. labor laws, regulatory requirements, and TE policies within a manufacturing setting.
•    Support audit readiness, documentation, and corrective action plans where needed.
•    Proactively manage employee relations risks, investigations, and resolution fairly and consistently.

Talent Development & Organizational Capability
•    Partner with leadership to identify skill gaps and define targeted development plans, particularly for Manufacturing Operations teams.
•    Support training initiatives and continuous improvement programs aligned with TE Operational Advantage (TEOA).
•    Drive leadership development, succession planning, and talent reviews for key roles within operations.

What your background should look like:

Education & Experience
•    Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences, Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, or a related field
•    Typically, 7+ years of progressive experience in Human Resources, preferably as an HR Generalist or HR Business Partner.
•    Proven experience supporting manufacturing or operations environments, ideally in a growth or transformation phase

What Your Background Should Look Like
•    Minimum of 7+ years of HR experience with strong exposure to: 
o     Talent Development
o     Employee Relations
o     HR Compliance & Audit
o     Workforce Data / People Analytics
•    Experience within the Manufacturing industry.
•    Demonstrated ability to design and drive impactful talent development programs aligned with business goals.
•    Strong knowledge of US Labor Law and its practical application within HR processes.
•    Proven expertise in strategic HR business partnering, aligning HR initiatives to business priorities and outcomes.
•    Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and close attention to detail.
•    Solid business acumen, resilience, and reliability in fast-paced and dynamic environments.
•    Commitment to safety, compliance, and ethical leadership.

Technical Skills
•    HR Policies, Compliance & Labor Relations
•    HR Business Partnering & Consulting
•    Talent Management & Succession Planning
•    Workforce Planning & Organizational Design
•    HR Analytics and Reporting Tools

Location
•    Rochester, NY-  On-site presence in a manufacturing/plant setting with active engagement on the floor. 
•    Collaboration across regional teams with occasional travel

Competencies