Director of People (Food MFG co)

Director of People - San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay) Interested? Contact | 415-987-0624 Who We Are We’re a fast-growing food and beverage brand and manufacturer, scaling rapidly with over 50% annual growth. We produce fresh, high-quality products in our USDA- and FDA-regulated facilities. With a team of 115+ (from factory floor to corporate HQ), we’re building something special — and we’re looking for a Director of People & Culture to lead our people strategy. The Role We’re looking for a new leader to modernize, elevate, and transform the People function into a world-class organization. We’re seeking someone who can balance big-picture strategic thinking with hands-on execution — someone who’s just as comfortable shaping long-term culture initiatives as they are rolling up their sleeves to solve day-to-day people challenges. This role requires strong emotional intelligence (EQ) to build trust and connection across all levels of the organization, from production teams on the floor to executives in the boardroom. You’ll have the mandate and support to assess the department, identify gaps, and put into action the systems, culture, and programs that will take us to the next level. What You’ll Do Lead & Partner Collaborate with the executive team to align HR strategy with business goals. Serve as a trusted advisor to leaders and managers across all departments. Strategize and design organizational structures that enable growth, efficiency, and scalability. Performance Management Design and implement performance management frameworks, including goal setting, reviews, and coaching. Provide oversight and support to managers in addressing performance issues with clarity and consistency. Recruiting (Hourly + Salaried) Define recruiting strategy and standards for both corporate and production roles. Lead full-cycle recruitment to attract and retain top talent in a competitive labor market. Employee Relations Guide managers through complex and escalated employee relations cases. Ensure all ER matters are handled with fairness, consistency, and compliance. Payroll, Benefits & Compensation Set policy and governance for payroll and benefits administration. Oversee accurate, timely payroll processing and benefits programs that meet employee needs. Lead strategic benefits analyses and design benefits programs that balance competitiveness with cost-effectiveness. Conduct and oversee compensation studies to ensure equitable, market-aligned pay structures that support retention and motivation. Onboarding & Offboarding Define workflows and engagement checkpoints for smooth, positive onboarding and offboarding experiences. Continuously improve processes to enhance new hire integration and exiting employee feedback. Culture & Engagement Create and lead culture and engagement strategies that connect teams across departments. Partner with leaders to build recognition programs and employee engagement projects. Operational Excellence & Compliance Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws (especially California-specific requirements). Maintain workforce compliance in USDA- and FDA-regulated manufacturing settings. Oversee company administration functions including vendor programs related to workers’ compensation, company insurance, and other compliance-related benefits. Define, evaluate, and optimize vendor relationships to ensure cost-effectiveness and alignment with company needs. What We’re Looking For Must-Haves 8+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 in a leadership role. Proven HR leadership in manufacturing, food & beverage, or CPG environments. Deep knowledge of California labor laws. Experience managing both corporate and hourly production teams. High emotional intelligence and ability to connect across all levels and functions. Skilled at balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution. Nice to Have PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP certification. Bilingual English/Spanish. Experience in USDA- or FDA-regulated facilities. What You’ll Get Competitive base salary, plus annual bonus. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage. 401(k) with company match. Paid time off, holidays, and product discounts. A seat at the table to shape the culture of a fast-growing, values-driven company. Why You/'ll Love Working Here We believe great food starts with great people. You’ll have the autonomy to design and lead HR programs your way — and the support to make them happen. You’ll work alongside passionate people who care deeply about quality, community, and each other. Come work with one of the Bay Area’s most beloved food brands. Ready to make an impact? Contact 415-987-0624 #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-21