A Human Resources Generalist provides overall operational support in a human resources department, including supporting employee relations, onboarding, benefits and leave management of a company or organization.
We are seeking an autonomous, highly organized HR Generalist to become our very first dedicated HR team member. In this foundational role, you will transition our people operations from decentralized management to a structured, fully compliant department. You will manage daily operations for a 300-person hospitality workforce while building scalable HR processes from scratch. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in California employment law, thrives in high-volume environments, and balances strict compliance with a workforce-first approach. Responsibilities (The Building Phase)
Infrastructure Development:
Architect, implement, and document core HR processes, including standardized onboarding, offboarding, performance reviews, and employee tracking systems
Handbook & Policy Creation:
Author and launch our first comprehensive, California-compliant Employee Handbook and establish clear company-wide workplace policies.
Compliance Audit:
Audit our current practices to establish a bulletproof compliance framework for California wage-and-hour laws, meal breaks, and documentation.
System Implementation:
Evaluate, select, and deploy an automated HRIS (Human Resources Information System) or payroll platform to eliminate manual paperwork.
Required Skills & Qualifications Experience:
3 to 5+ years of progressive HR experience, with a strong preference for individuals who have managed HR within the California restaurant, hospitality, or retail sectors.
Legal Expertise:
Expert-level knowledge of California Labor Code, DIR regulations, and local hospitality ordinances.
Workforce Scale:
Proven capability handling people operations for an hourly, high-turnover workforce of 200+ employees.
Education & Certifications:
Bachelor's degree in HR or Business preferred; PHR-CA or SHRM-CP certification is a major asset.
Technical Savvy:
Experience evaluating, migrating, or deploying modern HRIS platforms (e.g., Paylocity, Rippling, ADP).
Pay:
$31.00 - $38.00 per hour
Benefits:
Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance
