Human Resources Manager

About the Role

The Human Resources Manager serves as a strategic business partner and trusted advisor to leadership and employees at all of Chiquita’s facilities across North America. This role oversees a broad range of HR functions, including employee relations, talent acquisition, performance management, benefits administration, global mobility, compliance, and workforce planning. The HR Manager supports a team of two HR professionals responsible for talent acquisition and employee benefits, collaborates with managers and employees to foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. The position is based at Chiquita’s U.S. headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and involves regular collaboration with regional HR teams on global projects.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to develop, implement, and maintain HR policies, procedures, and programs that support business objectives and compliance.
• Provide guidance on HR policies and practices to managers and employees, ensuring consistent application across business units.
• Develop and monitor compliance programs to adhere to federal, state, and local employment laws and company policies.
• Lead full-cycle recruitment activities, including position descriptions, recruitment strategies, interviews, and compensation recommendations.
• Manage and oversee the onboarding process, including orientations, performance expectations, and integration of new hires.
• Administer employee benefit programs, ensuring compliance, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Oversee annual benefits planning, audits, regulatory filings (e.g., Form 5500), and leave programs (FMLA, ADA, short-term disability).
• Serve as the primary HR contact for global mobility and immigration, managing work authorizations and visa petitions (e.g., L-1A, L-1B).
• Lead the Workers’ Compensation program, focusing on risk mitigation, injury management, and claim resolution.
• Provide guidance on employee relations matters, workplace concerns, and conflict resolution.
• Conduct workplace investigations related to employee complaints, policy violations, harassment, and discrimination.
• Function as a strategic business partner, aligning HR initiatives with organizational objectives and utilizing HR metrics for decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field; Master’s degree (MBA or MS) and/or HR certification (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR) preferred.
• 8-12 years of progressive HR experience with exposure to employee relations, talent acquisition, benefits administration, compliance, and labor law.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws (e.g., FMLA, ADA, FLSA, EEO, Workers’ Compensation).
• Proven ability to handle confidential and complex employee matters with discretion and sound judgment.
• Experience supporting geographically dispersed workforces and partnering across multiple locations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and HRIS (Workday preferred); experience with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
• Experience with global mobility, immigration processes, and international employee transfers is a plus.

Physical Environment

• Primarily office-based in a temperature-controlled environment; may sit for extended periods at a desk or computer terminal.
• May require stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching to complete job duties.
• Travel up to 10% of the time to visit sites and operations across North America.
• Position requires passing a drug test in accordance with Florida Statute 440.102.