Job Title: Talent Acquisition SpecialistJob DescriptionThe Talent Acquisition Specialist leads operations-focused talent acquisition activities and partners closely with business leaders to attract, hire, and retain top talent. This role acts as a coach, consultant, and trusted partner to operations teams, driving talent management and associate experience processes that strengthen capabilities and optimize individual and team performance. The specialist supports enterprise-wide talent management initiatives, including onboarding, performance management, engagement, and retention, while serving as a key liaison between plant operations and corporate functions.
Responsibilities
- Lead and actively support the companys safety culture and core values in all talent acquisition and HR activities.
- Act as the primary liaison between plant management and corporate headquarters for recruitment, training, and related talent topics.
- Implement, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for talent acquisition activities across Cedar Rapids operations.
- Partner with business leaders, HR, and Talent Management to design proactive talent strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Serve as an industry talent advisor to hiring teams by understanding real job requirements at both technical and results levels, and by providing insights on market availability, demand, competitors, and talent pipelines.
- Manage recruitment dashboards and maintain the campus organizational chart to provide clear visibility into hiring activity and structure.
- Perform full life-cycle recruiting, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and onboarding candidates.
- Conduct new employee orientations to ensure a smooth and engaging onboarding experience.
- Conduct stay interviews and exit interviews, and support disciplinary procedures as needed in collaboration with HR and leadership.
- Leverage recruiting technologies such as CRM systems, applicant tracking systems (ideally UKG), Boolean search techniques, LinkedIn, Indeed, and other social media tools to identify and attract active and passive candidates.
- Support brand recognition initiatives for the Cedar Rapids campus to enhance its visibility as an employer of choice.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting human resources functions, ensuring that policies, procedures, and reporting remain compliant.
- Ensure compliance with and integration of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) requirements into HR and business practices.
- Serve as an employee advocate by balancing fair labor standards, company policies and practices, and business needs.
- Coordinate and attend career fairs and similar events to build the employer brand and attract qualified candidates.
- Manage the companys temporary labor needs and maintain effective relationships with external partners to meet business staffing requirements.
- Work closely with key stakeholders to understand business needs and create integrated talent solutions that support growth and performance.
- Conduct needs assessments to identify critical skill gaps and develop plans to address those gaps through hiring and talent development.
- Support HR processes such as performance management cycles, engagement survey participation, action planning, and organizational talent reviews.
- Facilitate record management for personnel records, medical records, training records, and archived materials, ensuring compliance with organizational and legal requirements.
- Ensure accurate and timely maintenance of employee records and proper completion of all related forms and documentation.
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with business line leaders, corporate management, and employees at all levels.
- Serve as the site liaison for benefits-related activities, including open enrollment, leaves of absence, and new hire benefits enrollment.
- Support travel arrangements for candidates and international assignees such as expatriates and VIEs.
- Lead the planning and coordination of company-sponsored events, social functions, and facility tours to support engagement and employer branding.
Essential Skills
- Experience in recruiting or talent acquisition, with exposure to full life-cycle recruiting processes including sourcing, screening, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding.
- Proficiency with applicant tracking systems (ATS), with a strong preference for experience using UKG.
- Ability to use recruiting technologies and tools such as CRM systems, Boolean search methods, LinkedIn, Indeed, and other social media platforms to attract active and passive candidates.
- Foundational knowledge of human resources practices, particularly in talent acquisition and associate experience.
- Strong customer service mindset with the ability to support and partner effectively with hiring managers, employees, and candidates.
- Ability to understand and interpret legal requirements and government reporting regulations related to HR and ensure compliance in policies and practices.
- Capability to integrate EEOC requirements into HR and business processes.
- Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to act as a trusted advisor and employee advocate.
- Strong organizational skills to manage multiple requisitions, dashboards, records, and HR processes simultaneously.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills for interacting with candidates, employees, and leadership at all levels.
- Proactive, go-getter personality with the initiative to drive recruiting activities and talent projects forward.
- Bachelors degree or at least 2 years of recruiting experience.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Open to new graduates and entry-level candidates who demonstrate strong motivation and the willingness to learn talent acquisition.
- Ability and willingness to be trained in talent acquisition processes and tools where needed.
- Experience in an administrative or coordination capacity within HR or recruiting is beneficial.
- Experience supporting onboarding, performance management, engagement initiatives, and retention programs is a plus.
- Comfort working as an industry talent advisor, providing insights on market trends, talent competitors, and candidate pipelines.
- Experience coordinating career fairs, employer branding initiatives, and campus or community events is advantageous.
- Familiarity with benefits processes such as open enrollment and leave of absence coordination is helpful.
- Experience managing temporary labor needs and working with staffing partners is a plus.
- Ability to plan and coordinate company events, social functions, and facility tours to support engagement and branding.
- Long-term career interest in human resources and talent management, with a desire to grow within the function.
Work EnvironmentThis role operates in an office environment located within a manufacturing facility, providing close proximity to operations and plant leadership. You will primarily work in a professional office setting with regular interaction with production and operations teams, as well as corporate stakeholders. The position involves frequent use of computers, applicant tracking systems, and other digital tools for recruiting, reporting, and record management. The role supports a long-term opportunity with eligibility for a full benefits package upon transition to direct employment. The environment emphasizes safety, collaboration, and strong working relationships across departments, with occasional participation in on-site events, facility tours, and career fairs as part of employer branding and talent outreach activities. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $25.00 - $30.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Cedar Rapids,IA.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
