HR Manager

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

About:

IJW Whiskey Company, LLC (IJW) is a dynamic, fully integrated spirits company. Founded in 2017, we’ve compiled the largest independent library of aged Kentucky bourbon and rye and established a global presence including offices in Beverly Hills, Louisville and Tokyo, Japan, a 40-acre campus in Danville and a bottling facility in Harrodsburg. Our ambitious growth trajectory includes the recent groundbreaking of a new whiskey distillery in Shelbyville, KY, slated for completion in 2025, and plans for a Japanese distillery in Chitose set to commence in 2025.

With over 100 years of combined industry expertise, our diverse team of seasoned professionals and dynamic newcomers has propelled IJW to the forefront of the spirits industry. Our strategic partnership with one of the nation’s largest independent Wine & Spirits distributors has enabled us to offer 22 products across four unique private label bourbon brands in 28 states. We have added to our spirits portfolio with our first Tequila brand launch in Q3 of 2024.

Summary
The HR Manager is the onsite HR leader for the Shelbyville, KY location and is responsible for end-to-end execution of all human resources activities at the site, along with assisting the CPO on company wide objectives. Reporting directly to the Chief People Officer, this role serves as a strategic partner to local leadership while ensuring consistent application of company-wide HR policies, programs, and standards.

This role is highly hands-on and execution-focused, owning employee relations, safety and compliance, recruiting, and HR administration for the site. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating independently, making sound judgment calls, and balancing employee advocacy with business needs in a manufacturing/operations environment. The will work directly with IJW leaders, along with the HR Center of Excellence to provide a superior employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Culture
• Serve as the primary HR point of contact for all employees at the Shelbyville site
• Manage employee relations matters including performance issues, investigations, conflict resolution, and corrective actions
• Coach managers on effective people management, performance management, and employee engagement
• Ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant application of company policies
• Support employee engagement initiatives and reinforce IJW Whiskey’s culture and values
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality and professionalism in all matters

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management
• Partner with Operations leadership to support a safe and compliant work environment
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations (including FLSA, OSHA, ADA, FMLA, EEO)
• Support workplace safety programs, training, incident reporting, and follow-up
• Manage workers’ compensation claims and return-to-work processes
• Maintain required employment records, postings, and audits
• Support compliance with alcohol industry-specific regulations as applicable

Recruiting & Workforce Planning
• Own full-cycle recruiting for hourly roles at the Shelbyville location
• Partner with site leadership to understand workforce needs and hiring plans
• Coordinate with corporate Talent team as needed
• Manage job postings, candidate screening, interviews, and offers
• Support onboarding and new hire orientation to ensure a strong start for employees

HR Operations & Administration
• Own day-to-day HR administration for the site, including employee records, reporting, and documentation
• Manage onboarding, offboarding, and employee lifecycle transactions
• Serve as the local expert on HR systems, policies, and processes
• Ensure accurate and timely processing of employee changes in HRIS and related systems
• Support benefits administration by partnering with corporate HR and vendors
• Leadership Partnership & Execution
• Act as a trusted advisor to site leadership on people-related matters
• Translate company-wide people strategies into effective local execution
• Support change management initiatives at the site

Qualifications
• 5+ years of progressive HR experience, preferably in manufacturing, operations, or industrial environments
• SHRM-CP or PHR Certification
• Strong working knowledge of employment law and HR best practices
• Proven experience handling employee relations issues and investigations
• Experience supporting hourly workforce populations
• Ability to work independently with minimal day-to-day oversight
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills at all levels of the organization