Senior Human Resources Manager, Adhesive Solutions

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Role Summary

The Senior HR Manager, Adhesive Solutions – US, is responsible for providing comprehensive HR leadership and support across US‑based Adhesive Solutions manufacturing sites and all remote AS US employees. This role partners closely with site leadership, functional leaders, and union representatives to deliver effective people strategies, ensure operational HR excellence, and support business performance while maintaining strong employee engagement and compliance.

Key Responsibilities

HR Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary HR partner for assigned Adhesive Solutions US manufacturing sites and all remote AS US employees

• Partner with site and functional leaders on workforce planning, organizational design, talent strategy, and employee engagement

• Support leaders through change management, restructurings, and workforce actions as needed

Labor Relations & Union Partnership

• Act as the primary HR lead for labor relations activities at unionized sites

• Build and maintain effective, trust‑based relationships with union leadership

• Support collective bargaining preparation and execution, contract administration, grievance management, and dispute resolution

• Advise leaders on labor strategy, contract interpretation, and risk mitigation

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Lead employee relations matters including performance management, investigations, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution

• Provide coaching and guidance to managers on performance, engagement, and development

• Ensure consistent and fair application of HR policies across sites and remote populations

Talent, Development & Manufacturing Capability Building

• Support talent reviews, succession planning, and development planning at the site and functional level

• Lead or partner on the development of manufacturing career progression frameworks, with particular focus on maintenance and skilled trades roles

• Design, implement, and manage apprenticeship and early‑career development programs to strengthen internal pipelines for critical manufacturing roles

• Partner with site leadership to identify capability gaps and long‑term workforce needs

Compensation, Benefits & Rewards

• Partner with HR COEs to support compensation planning, off‑cycle adjustments, and incentive programs

• Act as a point of contact for benefits, leave programs, and employee inquiries, ensuring consistent support for on‑site and remote employees

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with US labor laws, company policies, and internal governance standards

• Support audits, reporting requirements, and risk mitigation efforts

• Maintain accurate HR documentation and Workday data integrity

Operational Excellence

• Act as a liaison between sites, remote employees, HR COEs, and corporate HR

• Support continuous improvement of HR practices and employee experience

Scope & Coverage

• US Adhesive Solutions manufacturing sites

• All US‑based remote Adhesive Solutions employees

• Union and non‑union populations

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree required; HR or related field preferred

• 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including employee relations and site support

• Strong working knowledge of US labor and employment laws

• Demonstrated ability to partner with manufacturing leaders and support complex employee populations

Preferred

• Experience supporting unionized manufacturing environments and labor relations activities

• Experience partnering with unions, including grievance management and collective bargaining support

• Experience developing manufacturing career paths, particularly for maintenance and skilled trades

• Experience designing or managing apprenticeship or early‑career development programs

• Experience supporting both on‑site and remote employee populations

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

30%

DISCLAIMER:

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, success profile characteristics or qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Management retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the Job at any time.

🌍 Global Benefits Overview

• 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme

• 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions

• 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role

• 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes