North American Human Resources Leader
West Bend, WI, US, 53095-0179
About MANITOU Group
MANITOU Group is a French-based global leader in handling access equipment and compact earthmoving machinery.
Our mission is to improve working conditions, safety and performance worldwide, while preserving people and their environment. “Make like safe & easy”
Operating in over 140 countries through iconic brands like MANITOU, Gehl, and Mustang by MANITOU, our mission is to enhance working conditions, safety, and performance while respecting people and the planet.
With 10 production sites, 6 logistics centers, and a strong international footprint with 1000 dealers (80% of sales generated outside France), we are committed to driving innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation in our industry.
Why Join Us?
MANITOU has just announced a new ambitious 2026-2030 business strategy and is undergoing an ambitious transformation in which our North America region represents a major growth opportunity.
As the HR Leader for North America, this is a key opportunity to not only contribute to grow the business with robust HR practices and KPIs as a business partner but also to drive a cultural change supporting leaders to embrace the new mindset required and upskilling employees on the key skills North America needs to succeed.
Our new strategic roadmap focuses on three key areas.
● Customer Experience: Evolving from product sales to full-service solutions (financial, digital, aftermarket).
● Sustainable Growth: Leading the ecological transition through low-carbon innovation and industrial agility.
● Empowered Teams: Fostering autonomy, safety, diversity, and equal opportunities within a shared culture of entrepreneurship and excellence.
Your Role
As the HR Leader for North America, you are a strategic and operational HR leader for a dynamic and growing region (3 sites, 900 employees). Based in our North America headquarters in West Bend ( WI) and overseeing two factories (Yankton & Madison, SD), a warehouse (Baltimore) and a logistics center (Belvidere), you will lead a team of 18 HR professionals to build a high-performing, values-driven organization.
Your mission: "Lead people to shape their future in an international, sustainable, and human-centered company."
Key Responsibilities
You’ll be responsible for a full scope of HR to attract, develop, engage and retain Manitou North America employees, and to support the business growth and cultural transformation required.
● Leadership & Transformation
○ Lead with the US Executive Committee in developing Manitou's growth in the US market in terms of organisation, skills, culture and leadership.
○ Drive the HR strategy to support growth (double digit growth over 2 years) and cultural transformation.
○ Champion the MANITOU values and promote a strong, inclusive organizational culture.
○ Lead and develop the local HR team to develop a high performing team with a strong contribution to create a Group HR organization that has an impact on employees, with roles and responsibilities clearly defined and implemented between the local HR (US) and global HR (Group HR functions) levels. Lead to implement an HR Glocal organization.
● HR Strategy & Operations
Manage all HR domains: talent acquisition, learning & development, employer branding, performance, compensation & benefits, payroll, employee relations, internal communication, organization design, health & safety.
○ Align organizational design and workforce planning with business needs and growth strategy.
○ Monitor headcount and labor costs in line with budget goals.
● Change Management
○ Support the Managing Directors and Management Committee in developing employees & organization to get over 30% growth through Manitou & Gehl’s brand development, win new markets and new customers and optimize our operations (factories, supply chain…)
○ Lead initiatives to foster engagement, well-being, safety, and talent development.
● Compliance & Policy
○ Ensure legal compliance and mitigate risk through strong governance and alignment with global policies
○ Partner with legal and HR COEs (L&D, Total Rewards, D&I, Talent) to enhance policy and process efficiency.
Your Profile
To be successful at Manitou and address North America business stakes, our ideal candidate should have the following set of experience, competencies and personality traits :
● Proven HR leadership experience in a matrixed, international environment.
● Experience in manufacturing or industrial environments preferred.
● Strong business acumen and ability to align people strategy with business goals.
● Experience of managing cultural change and driving transformation, talent development.
● Comfortable working in changing environments and dealing with ambiguity
● Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence and coach senior leaders.
● Collaborative, entrepreneurial mindset with a hands-on, results-oriented approach.
● Willingness to travel regularly between sites (factories and HQ).
LOCALISATION AND TRAVEL EXPECTED:
● This position is located in West Bend, Wisconsin
● Regular travel to our production sites in Yankton and Madison, South Dakota
● 3 times a year in France (headquarters)
What We Offer
● A strategic leadership role with high visibility and impact in a growth-driven region.
● The opportunity to co-create a role-model subsidiary in HR and business innovation.
● A collaborative, human-centered work culture in a company committed to sustainability and digital transformation.
If you’re passionate about people, business transformation, and making a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Join MANITOU – Make life safe & easy.
OUR REWARDS & RECOGNITION:
In addition to an inclusive compensation package, we offer a comprehensive benefits program, including: Medical/Dental/Vision, 401k including employer match, tuition reimbursement, community-oriented volunteer program, wellness activities, employee and family activities throughout the year, and so much more! See for yourself why Forbes ranked Manitou within the top 125 for World’s Best Employers.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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