Human Resources Manager

Compensation: 115,000 plus bonus

The HR Business Partner (Manager) serves as a strategic consultant to business leaders, helping align HR strategies with operational and organizational goals. Working closely with specialists across HR - including Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Talent Management, Total Rewards, HR Operations, and HRIS, this role acts as the primary point of connection between the business and HR. They advise leaders on workforce planning, organizational design, performance management, employee development, engagement, and champions positive and productive workplace culture. They lead and resolve complex employee relations matters, coach leaders and employees, and ensure HR initiatives are effectively implemented. They are trusted advisors who build strong relationships, anticipate needs, and deliver thoughtful, balanced guidance. In some regions, they may lead a dispersed team of HR Generalists/Specialists.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business leaders to understand operational goals and develop people strategies that support performance, engagement, and organizational health.
• Serve as the primary HR contact for the business, coordinating support across HR specialists (recruiting, total rewards, development, employee services, HR systems, etc.) to ensure streamlined and consistent HR delivery.
• Advise leaders on organizational design, workforce planning, role clarity, and team effectiveness.
• Lead and document employee relations investigations and recommend appropriate, legally compliant actions.
• Support the performance management process, including goal setting, coaching, feedback discussions, and development planning.
• Partner with recruiting to define talent needs, support selection decisions, and ensure a smooth hiring and onboarding experience.
• Work with learning and talent development teams to assess capability gaps and support leadership development and employee growth efforts.
• Support compensation and benefits teams in communicating and administering pay programs, recognition programs, and benefit offerings.
• Provide coaching to managers and employees on conflict resolution, career pathing, communication, and workplace dynamics.
• Use HR systems and workforce data to identify trends, recommend improvements, and help leaders make informed decisions.
• Ensure consistent application of HR policies and compliance with state and federal employment laws, including workers' compensation.
• Deliver training sessions for managers and employees in both virtual and in-person settings.
• Maintain accurate, confidential HR information and support data integrity across HR systems.
• Where applicable: Lead and coach a team of Field-based HR Generalists / Specialists in delivering HRBP services across their assigned region.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university required.

• Certification/Licensure: Professional HR certifications (e.g., SHRM‑CP, SHRM‑SCP, PHR, or SPHR) preferred, not required.

• Experience: 5+ years of experience as an HRBP, HR Generalist, or HR Consultant supporting leaders in multi‑site or operational environments (manufacturing/warehouse experience preferred).

• Proven experience conducting formal employee relations investigations with strong documentation and judgment skills.

• Demonstrated experience working in partnership with HR COEs in areas such as Recruiting, Compensation, Benefits, Talent Management, and HR Shared Services.

• Leadership Experience: proven team leadership experience preferred, not required.

• Strong skills in performance management, coaching, workforce planning, and supporting organizational change.

• Ability to analyze workforce trends, interpret data, and communicate insights that guide decision‑making.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust at all levels, including senior leaders, and influence behavior and outcomes without direct authority.

• Technical experience with leading Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) technologies such as Oracle, Workday, SAP, etc.; we use Oracle HCM Cloud.

• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.

• Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)

• Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on‑site setting in San Francisco, CA, with travel for related meetings/events.

Forward Air is an Equal Opportunity Employer

#LI-Onsite #LI-LA1

Since 1990, Forward Air has been a leading provider of ground transportation and related logistics services to the North American air freight and expedited LTL market. We offer surface shipping on an accelerated "time-definite" basis, delivering cargo at a specific time, but under less time-sensitive situations - supplying you with a cost effective, reliable alternative to air transportation. We work with companies of all sizes to develop tangible advantages and build the best products to meet your specific needs. Forward Air presents to the wholesale transportation community (logistics companies, freight forwarders, integrated air cargo carriers, passenger/ cargo airlines, and non-traditional shippers), a single-source provider that can deliver more supply chain services and a superior menu of choices. Throughout the years we have added supplementary lines to our linehaul service, such as full truckload operations (Truckload Services), final-mile coverage (Complete Cartage), and an Airline Logistics program, and we will continue to expand our services to meet the changing needs and growth of our customer base.

Forward Air is structured to optimize both savings and service to our customers. Direct partnerships with owner-operators and other surface transportation providers, enable us to remain cost-competitive. The Forward Air network is designed with over 90 facilities located at or near major U.S. and Canadian airports, 12 regional sort centers and over 300 beyond points (secondary airports provided through our Complete Cartage service), creating one of the most comprehensive linehaul networks in the industry.

Ranked 3rd in Newsweeks 2022 "Americas Most Trustworthy Companies" publication