Director of Human Resources

About the Role

As part of our ongoing U.S. organizational restructuring, we are establishing dedicated HR leadership for our Southern operations. We are seeking a hands-on, energetic, and ambitious HR Director to lead transformation across three key sites in the south U.S region.

This role is pivotal in transitioning the region from a Tier 2 to Tier 1 supplier mindset, rebuilding elements of the leadership team, and embedding a people-first culture that aligns with next-generation automotive standards. The HR Director will serve as a strategic partner to Plant Managers while directly overseeing a team of HR professionals and supporting approximately 500–600 employees across 3 plants.

Key Responsibilities

Lead HR strategy and execution across southern region plants.
Partner with Plant Managers and senior leadership to drive cultural transformation and workforce stability.
Rebuild leadership teams with Tier 1-calibre talent, addressing legacy hiring and management challenges.
Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategies for both hourly and salaried roles.
Implement succession planning, leadership development, and engagement initiatives.
Drive workforce development programs to ensure long-term stability and alignment with new programs (secured through 2032).
Establish a “family culture” within plants, strengthening engagement, trust, and loyalty.
Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion while driving company mission and milestones.
Address and resolve legacy employee relations issues with fairness and transparency.
Manage the HR transition during the North/South organizational split, including systems, benefits, and policies.
Lead HR team of 6–7 professionals, ensuring development and integration across sites.
Oversee teams handling talent acquisition, employee compensation and benefits, safety, compliance and L&D departments.
Roll out lean training programs and continuous improvement culture.
Monitor HR KPIs (turnover, absenteeism, time-to-fill) to drive measurable impact.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Proven HR leadership in a Tier 1 automotive supplier environment (non-negotiable).
Experience managing HR in manufacturing sites of 300–400+ headcount.
Strong knowledge of workforce dynamics in the Southern U.S.; exposure to Latin culture a plus.
Skilled in talent acquisition, leadership development, retention, and engagement.
Able to operate within a matrix structure, balancing local leadership with international reporting lines.
Resilient, pragmatic, and confident making bold decisions in a transformational environment.
Hands-on, visible leader who enjoys being on the shop floor and engaging with employees daily.

Key Challenges

Rebuild up to key areas of leadership team with Tier 1-level talent.
Support launch of new programs and standards ensuring seamless workforce readiness.
Transition culture from Tier 2 mentality to Tier 1 excellence.
Overcome legacy of poor hiring and toxic management practices.
Successfully implement lean training and people development programs.
Reverse high turnover trends and establish long-term workforce stability.
Execute smooth HR systems transition post North/South company split.

About CLM

At CLM, we’re obsessed with creating a better executive search experience for our candidates and clients in the automotive industry. With over 25 years of international experience providing staffing solutions at C-Suite, Leadership and Management levels, we go above and beyond to ensure your needs always come first.

Unfortunately, due to the high level of applications, we are not physically able to get back to every candidate that applies. Please follow our CLM page https://www.clmsearch.com/careers/ for regular job updates and we hope to support you with your next venture.

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