People & Culture Manager

Company Overview

Grid Structures, a division of Southland Steel Fabricators, manufactures steel poles and structures supporting electric utility and renewable energy infrastructure. Our Amite operation is focused on employee safety, reliable quality, dependable delivery, and sustainable growth.

Position Summary

Grid Structures seeks a hands-on HR Manager to lead the daily execution of people practices across our Amite manufacturing operation. Reporting within the Southland Steel Fabricators people leadership structure and partnering closely with the Grid Structures President and site leaders, this manager will translate company-wide people and culture priorities into practical, measurable site results. The role directly leads the HR Generalist, maintains a regular shop-floor presence across shifts, strengthens employee trust, and owns effective recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, workforce development, and HR administration.

Core Accountabilities

Build Employee Trust, Engagement, and Culture

• Be visible and approachable on the shop floor; listen, resolve employee concerns promptly, and follow through on commitments.

• Coach supervisors on communication, respectful treatment, performance expectations, recognition, and fair, consistent accountability.

• Implement site engagement and retention initiatives aligned with Southland’s people and culture direction.

Lead Recruiting, Onboarding, and Workforce Readiness

• Partner with Operations on staffing plans, requisitions, candidate selection, and timely hiring for hourly, technical, and leadership positions.

• Own a reliable onboarding experience from offer through orientation, job readiness, and 30/60/90-day follow-up; coordinate Safety, training, equipment, and supervisor engagement.

• Track staffing gaps, early turnover, attendance patterns, and hiring effectiveness; remove barriers affecting employee success.

Own Employee Relations and Sound HR Practices

• Lead site employee relations, fact-based investigations, coaching, corrective action, documentation, and consistent policy application; escalate sensitive matters appropriately.

• Oversee accurate employee records, HRIS transactions, timekeeping/payroll coordination, benefits questions, leaves, and required employment compliance in partnership with corporate resources.

• Maintain confidentiality, sound judgment, and respectful resolution of employee concerns while supporting fair and legally compliant practices.

Develop People and Internal Talent

• Partner with Operations on skills matrices, cross-training, career paths, internal promotions, and frontline supervisor development.

• Execute talent reviews and development actions; support school, technical-college, and workforce partnerships established through the company-wide people strategy.

Lead the Site HR Team and Improve Processes

• Direct, coach, and develop the HR Generalist; establish clear responsibilities, service expectations, priorities, and follow-through.

• Standardize practical HR routines and improve processes using employee feedback, clear ownership, and measurable results.

• Maintain a concise site people scorecard covering retention, staffing, onboarding, attendance, development, and employee relations trends.

Required Experience and Capabilities

• Progressive HR generalist or HR management experience, ideally in manufacturing or another hourly, frontline-intensive environment.

• Demonstrated ability to lead employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, performance management, and HR operational processes.

• Knowledge of applicable employment practices and compliance, HRIS systems, employee records, and confidential case management.

• Credible, hands-on leadership; strong listening, communication, coaching, judgment, organization, and ability to partner with shop-floor teams and leaders.

• Experience supervising or developing HR personnel, or clear demonstrated readiness to do so.

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience considered; PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification.

• Experience with industrial recruiting, technical training, workforce partnerships, skills development, or improving early-tenure retention.

How Success Will Be Measured

Site-specific goals will be established with leadership. Measures include employee trust and retention, staffing and time-to-fill, onboarding effectiveness and early-tenure retention, timely and fair issue resolution, HR transaction accuracy, supervisor capability, and progress on site talent development.

Leadership Standard

We expect a servant leader who listens first, spends time where employees work, acts with integrity, balances empathy with accountability, and turns challenges into sustained improvements. Leadership, Process, and Culture drive sustainable results.

Benefits and Employment Information

Grid Structures offers competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). Grid Structures is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. Employment is subject to applicable pre-employment screening requirements.