Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:
The Talent Acquisition Specialist is responsible for full-cycle recruiting with a primary focus on hourly skilled trades roles, while also supporting select salaried and professional positions as needed. This role partners closely with hiring managers to understand workforce needs, develops effective sourcing strategies for skilled trades talent, and ensures a strong candidate experience in a fast-paced hiring environment.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Manage full-cycle recruiting for hourly skilled trades roles including (but not limited to):
- Welders, Welder/Fitters, CNC Programmers, CNC Machinists, Laser Trackers, Quality Technicians, NDT Level II Inspectors, and other hourly roles
- Support Talent Acquisition for select salaried roles (e.g., supervisors, engineers, managers, or corporate positions) as needed
- Partner closely with hiring managers to understand skill requirements, certifications, shift needs, and urgency
- Develop and execute creative sourcing strategies beyond job boards (trade schools, referrals, community outreach, social platforms, networking)
- Proactively source, screen, and engage passive skilled trades candidates
- Conduct phone, virtual and in-person interviews focused on hands-on skills, safety mindset, and reliability
- Coordinate interview scheduling, offers, and pre-employment steps (backgrounds, drug screens, and physicals)
- Maintain accurate and timely data in the ATS, ensuring compliance and strong candidate communication
- Build and maintain talent pipelines for recurring and hard-to-fill skilled trades roles
- Represent the company professionally at job fairs, hiring events, and community/trade school partnerships
- Continuously assess labor market trends and recommend improvements to hiring strategies
- Provide general administrative support to the recruiting manager
- Ensure compliance with all Local, State, Federal laws and statutes including labor laws and other governmental regulations, which are directly applicable to the company
- Other related duties as required
Requirements:
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
- 2+ years of recruiting experience, with direct experience hiring hourly skilled trades
- HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) preferred
- Experience partnering closely with plant and operations leadership
Required Skills and Abilities:
- Experience recruiting in manufacturing, construction, industrial, or field-based environments
- Demonstrated ability to recruit across both hourly and salaried positions, with a primary focus on trades
- Strong understanding of skilled trades labor markets, certifications, and safety requirements
- Experience recruiting in fast-paced or high-volume environments
- Proficiency with ATS platforms, job boards, and direct sourcing tools
- Strong communication and stakeholder partnership skills
Competencies:
- Upholds Safety and Quality Standards
- Embodies Team Spirit
- Relentless Customer Focus
- Conveys Integrity, Trust, and Professionalism
- Executes with Excellence and Velocity
Travel Requirements:
- Occasional travel between the Ladson, Goose Creek and Yonges Island locations required
Physical Requirements:
- May require standing, walking, or front desk coverage for extended periods
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times (e.g., files, office supplies, etc).
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with production team members, leadership, and visitors, both verbally and in writing.
- Occasionally required to stand, walk, bend, or reach within the office setting.
Work Environment:
- On-site role in a manufacturing facility, regular work environment will be in an office setting.
- When on manufacturing floor, possible exposure to moving mechanical parts and airborne particles. Eye protection is required. Fumes, machine vibration, noisy conditions, high temperatures, and occasional potential to a restricted space work area possible.
- All Keel locations are tobacco free where appropriate.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Keel provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all team members and applicants for employment without regard to race, (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, service in the uniformed services, status as a protected veteran or spouse thereof, height, weight, marital or familial status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, Keel complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which Keel has facilities.
To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Keel will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, recruitment advertising, hiring, job assignment, promotion, demotion, discipline, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, or rates of pay, benefits, and selection for training. Provisions in applicable laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications, business necessity or age limitations will be adhered to by Keel where appropriate.
Management retains the right to add to, or change, the responsibilities and/or duties of this position at any time including the elimination of this position. The team member understands that his/her job description is for operational purposes and is not intended to be an employment contract. The employment relationship remains “at-will.”