Human Resources Manager - Blue Buffalo, Independence, IA

“Love Them Like Family, Feed them Like Family”. This is an exciting time to be part of the Blue Buffalo family, as the company is on a journey to revolutionize relationships with consumers (Pet Parents). This role is key to Blue Buffalo’s growth strategy: cultivating deeper, more meaningful relationships with Pet Parents that will drive incremental value and loyalty to Blue Buffalo. Blue Buffalo wants to be there to support Pet Parents during all the moments that matter in their lives, so more Pet Parents who love them like family can feed them like family. We are seeking a Human Resources Manager at our Petfood facility in Independence, IA. Human Resources Managers at General Mills possess a strong business mindset and exceptional partnership skills—which they rely upon to develop strategies for an innovative, flexible, and dynamic organization. The HR Manager role owns all business partner accountabilities including career development, performance management, and retention for employees. The HR Manager is responsible for leading the site’s positive Employee Relations strategy and ensuring a culture of engaged employees. The HR Manager is a critical member of the site leadership team which drives the strategy and direction for the site. Additionally, this facility is going through a big transition as it recently became part of the Blue Buffalo Supply Chain network via an acquisition. The HR Manager will be a critical role to enable an effective transition through key focus areas like organizational design, employee connection, recruiting, staffing and capability building. Our Independence, IA site manufactures pet treats, which includes meat ingredient Nudges, Top Chews and True Chews brands KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES In this role you will provide HR leadership to the site, including: Serve as a member of the site leadership team Lead significant culture change as part of a journey to increase manufacturing performance through process improvement with our manufacturing transformation initiative. This role will be the Organization Pillar Owner for the entire site, responsible building capability in peers on organization activities and leading the overall creation of Organization Master plan strategies Develop the capability of our plant operators through employee development, process improvement and work system evolution Provide individual coaching needs and identify training and development needs for supervisors Partner with the Plant Manager to develop a high performing site leadership team and engaging leaders at all levels Lead key HR initiatives in support of the organization including positive employee relations, workforce planning, succession planning and staffing Lead HR initiatives in partnership with HR COE specialists (i.e. Recruiting, Diversity & Inclusion, Compensation, Change Management) Create a positive employee relations environment through close engagement and interaction with all employees across the site MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree required 2-3 years of related work experience required (HR or Manufacturing/Operations) Experience leading and supporting strategic initiatives, influencing others, and driving results and significant change PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Previous plant/manufacturing experience 3+ years of direct experience as an organizational practitioner of Continuous Improvement methods & processes preferred ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. General Mills will not sponsor applicants for a U.S. work visa. International relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered. COMPANY OVERVIEW We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best — bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what’s next.