Human Resources Manager

About the Company

A globally recognized hospitality and entertainment company is launching an ambitious U.S. growth platform beginning in Los Angeles. With hundreds of successful international locations and a strong reputation for operational excellence, guest experience, and innovative consumer concepts, the company is seeking an HR & People Operations Manager to help build the people infrastructure that will support rapid expansion across the United States.

This is an opportunity to join at the ground floor of a proven global brand entering a high-growth U.S. phase.

Position Overview

The HR & People Operations Manager will lead day-to-day Human Resources operations for the U.S. business while helping build scalable systems, processes, and infrastructure for future growth.

This is a true player-coach role requiring both strategic thinking and hands-on execution. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable managing payroll implementation, recruiting, compliance, onboarding, employee relations, and HR systems while partnering with leadership on long-term workforce planning.

The successful candidate will thrive in entrepreneurial environments, understand California employment complexity, and know how to build practical systems that support multi-unit expansion.

Key Responsibilities

HR Operations + Hands-On Execution

• Lead all day-to-day U.S. Human Resources functions
• Directly manage early-stage payroll coordination, onboarding, benefits administration, and employee records
• Operate independently in a lean environment before a larger HR team is built
• Support future hiring and development of HR support staff as the company grows
• Manage employee files, documentation, and HR administration processes

California Compliance + Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal, California, and local employment laws
• Manage wage/hour compliance including overtime, meal/rest break requirements, scheduling, timekeeping, and final pay rules
• Help reduce risk related to PAGA claims, employee relations exposure, and labor disputes
• Stay current on California labor developments including AB 1228 and other industry-specific regulations where applicable
• Maintain compliant handbooks, policies, postings, leave programs, and documentation practices

HR Infrastructure + Systems

• Build the HR technology stack including payroll, HRIS, benefits administration, time tracking, and recruiting systems
• Create scalable onboarding, training, and employee lifecycle processes
• Design compensation bands, hourly wage structures, and internal leveling frameworks
• Develop SOPs and people processes that can support multiple future locations
• Standardize HR workflows across expanding operations

Recruiting + Talent Acquisition

• Lead recruiting strategy for current operations and future store openings
• Build pipelines for hourly, management, and leadership-level talent
• Create hiring workflows, interview processes, and selection standards
• Partner with operations leadership while owning recruiting systems and execution
• Improve hiring efficiency, time-to-fill, and candidate experience

Data + Financial Ownership

• Track and improve KPIs including turnover, retention, labor cost %, productivity, attendance, and hiring metrics
• Use workforce data to support executive decision-making and growth planning
• Assist with HR budget planning and vendor cost management
• Support labor cost optimization and scheduling efficiency initiatives
• Evaluate HR investments with an ROI-focused mindset

Multi-Unit Growth + Leadership Support

• Build people systems that can scale to support 5–10+ locations over time
• Partner with ownership and leadership on workforce planning and organizational design
• Help shape company culture during early U.S. growth stage
• Support future expansion across California and additional markets
• Serve as a trusted internal partner on all people-related matters

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources / People Operations experience
• Strong California labor law knowledge required
• Experience in hospitality, restaurants, retail, entertainment, or multi-unit consumer businesses strongly preferred
• Experience in startup, turnaround, or growth-stage environments preferred
• Experience supporting hourly and salaried employee populations
• Hands-on payroll, HRIS, benefits, and recruiting experience preferred
• Strong communication, organization, and conflict-resolution skills
• Financial acumen related to labor cost management and workforce planning
• Bilingual Japanese / English a plus, but not required

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Builder mentality with no ego
• Strategic thinker who enjoys execution
• Comfortable working independently in a lean environment
• Strong business acumen, not just HR theory
• Highly organized and process-oriented
• Warm, professional, and people-focused leadership style
• Adaptable and calm under pressure
• Excited by growth and creating systems from the ground up

Why This Role

• Join an internationally successful brand entering the U.S. market
• Build the HR function from an early stage
• High visibility with ownership and executive leadership
• Significant runway for growth and advancement
• Blend strategic ownership with day-to-day impact