People Partner

About the role

Vulcan Elements is dedicated to producing American rare-earth permanent magnets to enhance national security and economic stability. As a People Partner, you will play a crucial role in the People Operations team, collaborating closely with the Director of People to support our workforce. You will own the end-to-end employee experience for a specific segment of the organization, ensuring that people processes are both efficient and aligned with business objectives. This position requires a proactive mindset to anticipate workforce needs and drive strategic initiatives forward. You will be responsible for translating complex people data into actionable insights that inform leadership decisions. The role demands a balance of tactical execution and strategic influence within a fast-paced environment. You will serve as a trusted advisor to managers, helping them navigate people challenges and build high-performing teams. Ultimately, your work will directly impact the retention and engagement of the critical talent required to scale production.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Partner with leadership to craft and implement the people strategy in support of the next phase of company expansion.
• Coach managers on best-in-class management practices and help them cultivate strong, trust-based relationships across their cross-functional teams.
• Lead thorough and objective investigations into complex employee relations cases, ensuring fairness and consistency in all outcomes.
• Collaborate with staff and leadership to identify and drive initiatives that improve morale, productivity, and retention rates.
• Serve as the primary resource for daily HR inquiries regarding policies, compensation structures, and benefits administration.
• Provide expert support throughout the performance management cycle, from goal setting to evaluation discussions.
• Design, refine, and launch people programs that are scalable and appropriate for a rapidly growing manufacturing setting.
• Engage in talent calibration sessions and contribute to compensation planning to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness.
• Champion learning and development efforts by coordinating training programs and mapping clear career advancement pathways.
• Oversee the integrity of HRIS data and maintain accurate, up-to-date personnel records in accordance with regulatory standards.
• Administer leave programs including FMLA, ADA, and state-specific leave, while supporting benefits-related inquiries.
• Ensure strict adherence to employment laws and generate detailed HR metrics and reports for leadership review.
• Facilitate I-9 and E-Verify processes, manage unemployment claims, and coordinate recruitment logistics as needed.
• Regularly audit and update HR policies and the employee handbook to reflect current laws and company practices.
• Support special projects that may arise to address evolving business needs or strategic priorities.
• Maintain strong relationships with external vendors and legal counsel to ensure seamless HR service delivery.
• Communicate updates and changes clearly to all levels of the organization to foster transparency and understanding.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of HR processes to enhance the employee experience at every touchpoint.

Requirements

• Hold a minimum of 3 years of experience in an HR Business Partner or Generalist capacity.
• Demonstrate comprehensive HR knowledge across the full spectrum of employment disciplines.
• Possess a strong background in manufacturing or startup environments where adaptability is essential.
• Exhibit excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, when interacting with all levels of the organization.
• Be detail-oriented, data-driven, and capable of performing effectively under tight deadlines and high-pressure situations.
• Be a U.S. Person due to the necessity of accessing U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
• Show a proven ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Have experience using HR metrics to drive decisions and demonstrate business impact.
• Be comfortable working independently with minimal direct supervision while maintaining accountability.
• Understand the importance of maintaining compliance with all applicable employment regulations.

Nice to have

• Experience working within high-growth companies that have scaled rapidly.
• Background in the advanced manufacturing or cleantech sectors.
• Familiarity with export control and security protocols relevant to regulated industries.
• Prior experience supporting unionized environments or complex labor relations.

Practical notes

• This role may require occasional travel to support business needs or attend meetings.
• Benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a background check and meet all eligibility requirements for employment in the United States.