Employee Relations Manager Jobs in Rochester, MN

HR Manager | Rochester, MN
Lead the People Strategy for a High-Impact Manufacturing Site
We are seeking an experienced HR leader to serve as the strategic HR partner for our Rochester, Minnesota facility. This is a unique opportunity for a strong employee relations and leadership-focused professional to make an immediate impact while helping shape the future of the site's workforce, culture, and organizational effectiveness. Reporting into Regional HR leadership, you will be the HR leader supporting the Rochester operation and a key advisor to the General Manager and site leadership team. While the role initially includes a significant focus on employee relations, manager coaching, investigations, and compliance, the long-term vision is for this leader to elevate the HR function through workforce planning, leadership development, organizational transformation, and continuous process improvement. If you are a highly visible, relationship-driven HR professional who enjoys partnering closely with business leaders, influencing organizational outcomes, and creating meaningful employee experiences, this role offers the platform to do so.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Serve as the dedicated HR leader for a single manufacturing site, allowing you to deeply influence culture, leadership, and business performance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the General Manager and site leadership team.
• Lead both tactical and strategic HR initiatives with a clear path toward increased organizational impact.
• Inherit and develop an HR Generalist who is being positioned to take on more day-to-day operational responsibilities, creating space for you to focus on higher-level workforce and leadership strategies.
• Play a critical role in shaping employee engagement, organizational effectiveness, and future talent planning.
• Join an organization that values strong HR partnership and recognizes HR as an essential driver of business success.

What You'll Do
Partner with Leaders and Drive Employee Success

• Serve as the primary HR business partner for site leadership.
• Coach managers on employee relations, performance management, leadership effectiveness, conflict resolution, and employee development.
• Influence leaders through trusted partnerships and sound business judgment.
• Present workforce insights, trends, recommendations, and organizational initiatives to stakeholders across the site.

Lead Employee Relations and Compliance

• Manage complex employee relations matters with fairness, consistency, and professionalism.
• Conduct workplace investigations and guide leaders through appropriate resolutions.
• Advise managers on performance concerns, corrective action, and termination decisions.
• Partner with Regional HR leadership on employment law matters, regulatory issues, and unemployment claims.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and company policies through audits, training, and proactive risk identification.

Shape Workforce Strategy and Organizational Growth

• Partner with business leaders on workforce planning and organizational design.
• Support leadership transformation initiatives and change management efforts.
• Identify talent risks, retention challenges, and capability gaps.
• Lead HR process improvements that enhance both employee experience and business outcomes.
• Drive employee engagement and culture-building initiatives that strengthen the site's long-term success.

Develop and Support the HR Team

• Provide guidance and mentorship to the HR Generalist and Receptionist.
• Help build the capabilities of the HR team while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture.
• Partner closely with Corporate Talent Acquisition and broader HR teams to support business priorities.

What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 6+ years of progressive Human Resources experience.
• Strong expertise in employee relations, workplace investigations, and performance management.
• Experience advising and coaching business leaders on people-related matters.
• Working knowledge of employment law and compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting organizational change, workforce planning, or leadership development initiatives.

Preferred Experience

• Manufacturing, industrial, engineering, or plant-based environment experience.
• Exposure to workforce planning, change management, and organizational transformation.
• Experience mentoring HR professionals or providing team leadership.
• Demonstrated success leading HR initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness.

Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Rochester, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $110000.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Health & WellnessMedical insuranceDental insuranceVision insuranceAccess to a broad provider network and healthcare coverage optionsEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Mental health and wellness resourcesWellness programs and initiativesFinancial Benefits401(k) retirement planCompany 401(k) matchFinancial wellness resources and planning toolsAnnual bonus opportunity (your role is eligible for a 10% target bonus)Time Off & Work-Life BalancePaid vacationPaid holidaysSick time (varies by policy/location)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Rochester,MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 2, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.