Role Overview for Chief Human Resources Officer with a Public Logistics Firm – Indianapolis, IN
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to lead the search for a transformative Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for a premier, publicly-traded logistics and supply chain organization headquartered in Indianapolis, IN. Our client is a dominant force in the industry, renowned for its innovation, operational excellence, and commitment to delivering critical services that power the global economy. In an era of unprecedented supply chain complexity, technological disruption, and evolving labor dynamics, this role represents a pivotal opportunity to shape the future of a multibillion-dollar enterprise.
The CHRO will serve as a strategic business partner to the Chief Executive Officer and the executive leadership team, acting as the principal architect of the company’s human capital strategy. This is not a traditional, administrative HR role; it is a C-suite position demanding a forward-thinking leader who can translate business objectives into tangible talent, culture, and organizational development initiatives. You will be the steward of the company’s most valuable asset—its people—and will be responsible for creating an environment where a diverse workforce of thousands can thrive, innovate, and drive sustained growth. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CHRO will be a key advisor to the Board of Directors and its Compensation Committee, providing critical insights on executive compensation, succession planning, and human capital trends. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned executive with a proven track record of leading HR functions within a complex, large-scale, and publicly-held company, preferably within the logistics, transportation, or a related industrial sector. This leader must be adept at navigating the unique challenges of a distributed workforce, ensuring alignment, engagement, and a high-performance culture across all levels of the organization.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Human Resources Officer with a Public Logistics Firm – Indianapolis, IN
Executive Leadership & Strategic Planning
Serve as a key member of the executive team, providing counsel and leadership on all human capital matters. Develop and execute a comprehensive, forward-looking HR strategy that aligns with and accelerates the company’s long-term business goals, including organic growth, operational efficiency, and potential M&A activities.
Talent Management & Succession Planning
Architect and oversee a robust, end-to-end talent management framework. This includes developing sophisticated strategies for talent acquisition to attract top-tier candidates in a competitive market, implementing world-class onboarding processes, creating dynamic leadership development programs, and establishing a rigorous succession planning process for critical roles across the enterprise.
Total Rewards & Executive Compensation
Design, implement, and manage a compelling total rewards strategy that attracts, retains, and motivates a high-performing workforce. In partnership with the CEO and Compensation Committee, oversee all aspects of executive compensation, including long-term incentive plans (LTI), equity programs, and the preparation of materials for the annual proxy statement, ensuring compliance with all SEC regulations.
Culture & Employee Engagement
Act as the primary champion and cultivator of the company’s culture. Utilize data-driven insights from engagement surveys and other feedback mechanisms to develop and implement initiatives that foster a positive, inclusive, and performance-oriented work environment. Ensure the company’s values are embedded in all people processes and daily operations.
Organizational Design & Effectiveness
Continuously assess and refine the organizational structure to enhance agility, collaboration, and efficiency. Lead change management initiatives, providing guidance and support to leaders and employees during periods of transformation, such as mergers, acquisitions, or significant business process re-engineering.
HR Operations & Technology Modernization
Lead the HR function’s digital transformation by leveraging technology to streamline processes, improve service delivery, and enhance the employee experience. Champion the use of HR analytics and metrics to provide actionable insights to the business, driving data-informed decisions regarding workforce planning, talent management, and operational effectiveness.
Employee Relations & Compliance
Ensure the company maintains full compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations. Oversee the employee relations function, providing expert guidance on complex issues and fostering a fair and respectful workplace. Mitigate risk by proactively addressing potential issues and maintaining a strong understanding of the evolving legal landscape, including any matters related to labor relations.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Develop and execute a comprehensive DEI strategy that is integrated into all aspects of the talent lifecycle. Partner with leaders across the organization to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities the company serves and leverages the power of different perspectives to drive innovation and business success.
Board of Directors & Compensation Committee Engagement
Serve as the primary liaison to the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Prepare and present comprehensive materials and analyses on all matters related to executive compensation, C-suite succession planning, human capital management strategy, and corporate culture.
Requirements for the Chief Human Resources Officer with a Public Logistics Firm – Indianapolis, IN
Education
A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree (MBA or Master’s in HR/Labor Relations) is strongly preferred.
Certifications
Professional certifications such as SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) or SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) are highly desirable.
Experience
A minimum of 15+ years of progressive human resources experience, with at least 5-7 years serving as the senior-most HR executive (CHRO, SVP, or VP of HR) for a division or an entire enterprise. Crucially, candidates must have significant experience within a publicly-traded company.
Industry Background
Direct experience in the logistics, transportation, supply chain, manufacturing, or a related industrial sector with a large, distributed hourly workforce is strongly preferred.
Strategic & Business Acumen
Demonstrated ability to function as a strategic business partner with a deep understanding of business operations and financial metrics. Must be able to connect HR initiatives directly to business outcomes and profitability.
Public Company Expertise
Proven experience working directly with a Board of Directors and Compensation Committee. In-depth knowledge of executive compensation design, equity plans, and SEC disclosure requirements is essential.
Leadership & Influence
Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to inspire, develop, and manage a large, geographically dispersed HR team. Must possess executive presence and the ability to influence and build credibility with stakeholders at all levels, from frontline employees to the Board.
Transformational Mindset
A track record of successfully leading significant change management initiatives, including M&A integration, cultural transformation, and HR technology implementations. Must demonstrate a deep understanding of contemporary HR practices as defined by organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Communication Skills
Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required. The ability to articulate a clear and compelling vision for human capital is critical.
Location
Ability to work on-site at the corporate headquarters in Indianapolis, IN. A comprehensive relocation package is available for the selected candidate.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and comprehensive executive compensation and benefits package, designed to attract and retain a leader of this caliber. The package includes:
- A competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
- A significant annual performance-based cash bonus opportunity.
- A substantial long-term incentive package, including stock options and/or restricted stock units (RSUs).
- Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage for you and your eligible dependents.
- A robust 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match.
- Executive-level paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
- A full relocation assistance package to the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
- Life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
- Allowances for professional development, continuing education, and industry association memberships.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the sole and exclusive search firm retained for this critical executive search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be held in the strictest confidence. Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience.
To learn more about how we partner with leading organizations to build world-class leadership teams, please visit our dedicated human resources executive search practice area page. We look forward to connecting with you to discuss this exceptional opportunity.
