Senior HR Manager

Position Summary

International Water Guard is a leading aerospace manufacturer specializing in innovative onboard potable water systems and components for the aviation industry. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, operational excellence, and continuous growth, IWG is seeking a strategic and hands-on Senior Human Resources Manager to lead the HR function and support the organization through continued transformation and expansion.

The Senior HR Manager will oversee all aspects of Human Resources including organizational change management, HR reporting and analytics, payroll oversight, health and safety, employee relations, talent acquisition, training and development, compliance, and workforce planning. This role will partner closely with leaders across engineering, manufacturing, operations, and corporate functions to drive a high-performance culture aligned with IWG’s values and business objectives.

The ideal candidate is adaptable, analytical, and collaborative, with experience supporting fast-paced manufacturing or aerospace environments and leading HR initiatives that support operational growth and organizational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership & Change Management

Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute HR strategies aligned with operational and organizational goals.

Lead organizational change initiatives including restructuring, workforce planning, process improvements, and culture transformation.

Support business growth through scalable HR programs, succession planning, and organizational development initiatives.

Develop communication and change management strategies to support evolving business needs and employee engagement.

Act as a trusted advisor to leaders on employee relations, performance management, leadership development, and workforce challenges.

HR Reporting & Workforce Analytics

Develop and maintain HR dashboards, KPIs, and workforce reporting to support strategic business decisions.

Analyze trends related to turnover, absenteeism, recruitment, engagement, payroll, and training metrics.

Prepare executive-level reports and presentations with actionable recommendations and insights.

Monitor workforce data to identify opportunities for operational improvements, retention initiatives, and organizational efficiencies.

Ensure integrity and optimization of HRIS and payroll systems

Payroll Oversight

Oversee payroll administration processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely execution.

Partner with payroll providers and internal stakeholders to address payroll discrepancies and process improvements.

Ensure compliance with payroll legislation, reporting obligations, and internal policies.

Support payroll audits, year-end reporting, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

Health & Safety

Lead and support workplace health and safety initiatives in partnership with operational leadership.

Promote and maintain a strong safety culture within manufacturing and operational environments.

Participate in incident investigations, return-to-work coordination, corrective action planning, and safety compliance initiatives.

Ensure compliance with occupational health and safety legislation and company policies.

Coordinate health and safety training and support ongoing safety program development.

Training & Development

Develop and implement training and development programs that support employee growth, operational excellence, and leadership capability.

Identify organizational learning needs and coordinate onboarding, compliance, technical, and leadership training initiatives.

Support managers with coaching, career development planning, and performance improvement strategies.

Evaluate training effectiveness and recommend continuous improvement opportunities.

Employee Relations & Performance Management

Manage complex employee relations matters, workplace investigations, and conflict resolution processes.

Provide guidance to leaders on performance management, coaching, corrective action, and policy interpretation.

Ensure compliance with employment legislation and HR best practices.

Foster an engaged, collaborative, and accountable workplace culture.

Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning

Oversee recruitment and onboarding strategies to attract and retain top talent within technical, manufacturing, and corporate teams.

Support workforce planning and succession planning initiatives aligned with organizational growth.

Develop retention and engagement initiatives informed by workforce analytics and employee feedback.

Enhance employer branding and employee experience initiatives.

Leadership & HR Team Development

Mentor, coach, and support junior HR team members in their professional development and day-to-day operations.

Foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the HR function.

Provide leadership and guidance on HR best practices, compliance, and organizational initiatives.

Build strong relationships across all levels of the organization to support a service-oriented HR culture.

HR Operations & Compliance

Oversee HR policies, procedures, and programs to ensure operational effectiveness and compliance.

Lead process improvement initiatives across HR operations and systems.

Support compensation reviews, benefits administration, audits, and compliance reporting requirements.

Maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with employment standards and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field.

CPHR designation preferred.

7–10+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior-level leadership responsibilities.

Strong experience in change management, HR reporting and analytics, employee relations, payroll oversight, training and development, and health and safety.

Experience supporting manufacturing, aerospace, engineering, or operational environments considered a strong asset.

Strong knowledge of BC employment legislation, occupational health and safety requirements, and HR best practices.

Proficiency with HRIS systems, payroll systems, Microsoft Excel, and reporting tools.

Excellent communication, leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.

Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.