Best HR software for CHROs at midsize manufacturing companies

Build a data-driven people strategy for workforce planning and retention
Strengthen engagement and belonging across factory and office teams
Improve HR efficiency and visibility across multiple sites

1811 reviews on G2 | 4.5/5

1811 reviews on Capterra | 4.5/5

Modern, fast-growing, global businesses love Bob

What makes CHROs at midsize manufacturing companies choose HiBob?

Use data to anticipate hiring gaps before they impact production

Zappi reduced annual costs by £120,000 in employee and manager time while growing headcount by 30%, supported by precise workforce analytics and real-time reporting.

Build stronger connections between frontline and office staff

Oviva decreased voluntary turnover by 10.5% and reached a 301% ROI within 4.8 months of implementing HiBob, enhancing retention and manager–employee engagement.

Reduce manual HR processes and have a single source of truth for data

ZeroNorth expanded headcount twofold in one year across 11 countries, with HR scaling efficiently using automated workflows, onboarding, and reporting—without adding new HR headcount.

HiBob is recognized as one of the best HR platforms

HiBob’s best features for CHROs

Scenario modelling and headcount forecasting

Model workforce requirements and hiring scenarios to prevent capacity gaps before they affect production
Coordinate headcount plans with Finance to align labour demand and budgets
Predict skill shortages early using data-driven scenario planning

Social and engagement tools for all teams

Unite factory and office employees using social features like Kudos and Shoutouts
Distribute updates and announcements company-wide to ensure all staff stay informed
Foster transparent communication and recognition to create a sense of belonging

Automated workflows and centralised records

Automate onboarding, offboarding, and change approvals to minimize manual admin
Keep accurate employee data and documents in one secure, compliant system
Apply local compliance rules automatically and retain audit-ready records

Why CHROs in manufacturing love HiBob

$54K

Annual savings when using HR automation for time management

+18%

More productivity when employee engagement improves

+23%

Higher profitability when employees are more engaged with the company

How the People Operations Director at Zappi transformed their HR processes

The Challenge

Zappi, a UK-based consumer insights platform, managed HR processes through spreadsheets and manual workflows, with Finance handling many People tasks. This setup created inefficiencies and limited visibility across its global workforce.

The Solution

After evaluating Personio and BambooHR, Zappi selected HiBob for its configurability, flexibility, and intuitive design. Implementation took four months, migrating data from spreadsheets with minimal training required.

The Results

Zappi used HiBob and reduced manual HR and finance tasks, increased engagement, and improved decision-making. Automation and analytics saved over £120,000 annually while supporting a 30% increase in headcount.

We chose Bob because of its flexibility, the modern interface, and the fact it provides tools not only for the People team but also for our managers

People Operations Director, Zappi

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FAQs about HiBob for CHROs in manufacturing

What workforce insights does HiBob provide for manufacturing operations?

HiBob’s analytics give you predictive insights into your workforce. You can model different hiring scenarios and see how they’ll affect production capacity months ahead. The platform shows skills distribution across sites, tracks turnover patterns, and flags potential shortages before they happen. You get dashboards that Finance and Operations can actually understand and use, making it easier to align workforce planning with business goals and make confident headcount decisions.

How does HiBob improve employee engagement in manufacturing environments?

HiBob helps you measure and improve engagement across your entire workforce, from the C-suite to the shop floor. The platform’s pulse surveys show engagement scores by department, location, and tenure, so you know exactly where to focus. You can set up recognition programs that reach factory teams, with managers highlighting achievements visible to leadership. Plus, you get data that shows which initiatives actually move the needle on engagement.

How does HiBob reduce HR admin work in manufacturing companies?

HiBob eliminates the spreadsheet chaos that slows down HR teams. New hire onboarding happens automatically, from document collection to system access. The platform handles complex shift patterns, tracks certifications, and sends automatic renewal reminders. Your team spends less time on data entry and chasing approvals, and more time on strategic work. Reports that used to take days now generate instantly, with accurate data across all locations.