Great food experiences are built in layers: inside, where quality, performance, and consistency matter most; and outside, where creativity, artistry, and visual impact bring products to life.
At IRCA Group, we bring these layers together through a broad portfolio of premium ingredients, technical expertise, and innovative solutions that help chefs, food manufacturers, chains, distributors, and in-store bakeries create without limits. From concept to execution, we make the extraordinary simple.
IRCA Group is a global leader in high-quality food ingredient solutions, specializing in chocolate, creams, fillings, fruit-based solutions, pistachio ingredients, chocolate decorations, sugar decorations, and other specialty ingredients. The Group’s portfolio includes renowned brands such as IRCA, Dobla, JoyGelato, Ravifruit, Cesarin, Domori, and Graffiti Sprinkles, each with its own heritage, expertise, and market positioning.
With more than 100 years of Italian heritage, IRCA has evolved into a global B2B ingredients platform serving customers in more than 100 countries. The company operates a global manufacturing and distribution network spanning 19 facilities and more than 7,000 products, supporting a broad customer base across artisanal, foodservice, and food manufacturing channels.
Since Advent International’s investment, IRCA has significantly accelerated its growth, increasing revenue from €370 million in 2021 to approximately €1.5 billion today. As IRCA enters its next chapter of international expansion, the Americas region represents a key growth platform, supported by expanded domestic capabilities in chocolate, fillings, and decorations.
In the United States, IRCA Group has offices and manufacturing facilities near Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, and St. Louis.
Role Overview
The Senior Human Resources Business Partner (Sr. HRBP) is the primary HR leader supporting multiple manufacturing sites, partnering with business leaders to align people strategies with operational and organizational goals. This role requires a highly visible, hands-on HR professional who is equally comfortable providing strategic guidance to senior leadership and supporting the day-to-day needs of manufacturing operations.
The Sr. HRBP maintains a strong presence on the production floor, building trusted relationships with employees and leaders while driving initiatives that enhance employee engagement, talent development, organizational effectiveness, and workforce performance. The role also partners closely with Plant Managers, Operations Vice Presidents, and the COO on strategic workforce planning, organizational design, and business transformation initiatives.
The position directly manages one to two HR team members and plays a key role in developing HR capabilities across the assigned sites.
This position requires onsite presence at our Affton, MO facility.
Responsibilities
Provide strategic and hands-on HR support across multiple manufacturing sites, ensuring people strategies align with business objectives while maintaining a strong presence on the production floor.
Build trusted relationships with employees and leaders, serving as the primary HR partner for employee relations, performance management, coaching, policy interpretation, and day-to-day operational support.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, company policies, and HR processes while partnering with Operations and EHS to maintain a safe, compliant, and inclusive work environment.
Partner with Plant Managers, Operations Vice Presidents, and the COO on workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning, talent management, change management, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.
Drive talent acquisition strategies, onboarding, employee engagement, performance management, leadership development, succession planning, and retention initiatives across assigned locations.
Coach and develop managers on leadership effectiveness, performance management, employee development, and conflict resolution.
Lead complex employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, corrective actions, and conflict resolution while minimizing organizational risk.
Analyze workforce metrics and HR data to identify trends and recommend actions that improve productivity, engagement, retention, attendance, and overall organizational performance.
Support organizational changes, including restructures, workforce planning, and business transformation initiatives.
Champion HR initiatives and continuous improvement efforts that enhance the employee experience and strengthen organizational culture.
Lead, coach, and develop one to two HR team members, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, including at least 5 years supporting manufacturing operations.
Food manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience partnering with Plant Managers and senior operations leaders, with the ability to influence decision-making at all organizational levels.
Strong employee relations experience, including conducting investigations, coaching leaders, and resolving complex workplace issues.
Proven experience leading workforce planning, talent management, organizational development, and change management initiatives.
Previous experience leading and developing one or more HR team members.
Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and HR best practices.
Experience supporting Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or operational excellence initiatives is preferred.
Professional HR certification (SHRM-SCP or SPHR) is a plus.
Willingness to maintain a strong presence on the production floor.
Irca Group offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits:
Medical, Dental, & Vision, 401(k) matching, Paid Vacation, and Holidays, Employee Education Tuition Reimbursement Program
