HR, Payroll & Operations Manager

Locations: Edison, Bridgewater, Freehold, Paramus, Jersey City, East Rutherford & Wayne

About Us

Founded in Toronto in 2002, Real Fruit Bubble Tea has grown from a single shop into a fast-growing international brand with 140+ locations across Canada and the U.S. We are driven by a simple mission: to make fresh fruit drinks healthy, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.

As we continue expanding across North America, we are building a strong U.S. operations and people infrastructure—and we are looking for someone who wants to grow with us, take ownership, and make a real impact in a fast-moving environment.

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on, experienced U.S. People, Operations & Administration Manager to oversee and strengthen our U.S. business across Human Resources, Accounting, Finance, Payroll, Compliance, and Store Operations .

This is a multifunctional leadership role that oversees the day-to-day coordination of our HR, Accounting, and Finance functions while also supporting operational execution across our U.S. stores. The ideal candidate enjoys working across multiple business areas—not just HR in isolation—but also payroll, finance administration, compliance, operational problem-solving, and cross-functional team coordination.

You will act as a key partner to leadership, ensuring our employees are supported, financial and payroll processes run smoothly, compliance requirements are met, and day-to-day business operations remain efficient as we continue to expand across the U.S.

A key part of this role includes supporting U.S. employment compliance and cross-border immigration coordination (including L1A and work authorization processes) in partnership with legal counsel and external advisors.

Key Responsibilities

1. Human Resources & People Operations

• Oversee all day-to-day HR operations for U.S. employees.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, offboarding, orientation, and employee documentation.
• Maintain accurate HR records and ensure compliance with U.S. employment laws.
• Support employee relations, performance management, and policy implementation.
• Partner with leadership on workforce planning and organizational initiatives.
• Foster a consistent and positive employee experience across all store locations.
• Oversee HR administration and coordinate with internal HR team members.

2. Accounting, Finance & Payroll Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day coordination of Accounting and Finance operations for the U.S. business.
• Manage and support U.S. payroll processing in partnership with payroll providers.
• Review payroll accuracy, adjustments, and employee payroll inquiries.
• Coordinate payroll tax filings, W-2s, 1099s, remittances, and reporting requirements.
• Partner with external accountants regarding bookkeeping, reconciliations, financial reporting, and tax matters.
• Assist with month-end and year-end financial close activities.
• Monitor financial documentation, invoices, and administrative reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Operations, Accounting, Finance, and external financial partners.

3. U.S. Immigration & Cross-Border Employment Support

• Coordinate U.S. work authorization and employment documentation.
• Support L1A and intra-company transfer applications with external immigration counsel.
• Assist with visa renewals and employment authorization administration.
• Ensure proper documentation and compliance for cross-border employees.
• Act as the primary internal coordinator between leadership, HR, legal counsel, and external immigration partners.

4. Operations & Store Support

• Support day-to-day store operations across multiple locations.
• Assist with staffing coverage, new store openings, and training coordination.
• Provide hands-on in-store support, including cashier and barista duties when operationally required.
• Travel between store locations to support operational execution.
• Partner with Regional and Store Managers to resolve operational issues and improve store performance.
• Ensure company standards, SOPs, and operational expectations are consistently maintained.

5. Business Administration & Compliance

• Support business licenses, permits, insurance renewals, and corporate filings.
• Maintain organized records for audits, compliance, and regulatory reporting.
• Liaise with government agencies, landlords, vendors, and external partners.
• Coordinate administrative processes supporting U.S. operations.
• Assist leadership with special projects and cross-functional business initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of progressive experience across Human Resources, People Operations, Business Operations, Payroll, Finance Administration, or related functions, with demonstrated experience overseeing multiple business functions.
• Strong hands-on Human Resources experience, including employee relations, recruitment, onboarding/offboarding, performance management, and U.S. employment compliance.
• Experience overseeing multiple business functions, including HR and Finance.
• Strong understanding of U.S. payroll, employment law, and compliance requirements.
• Experience working with payroll systems (e.g., ADP or similar)
• Exposure to immigration processes (L1A / intra-company transfers strongly preferred)
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, multi-location retail or operations environment
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Willingness to be hands-on and support store operations when needed

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Ability to travel between store locations
• Flexible availability based on operational needs
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information professionally

What We Offer

• Opportunity to build and shape U.S. HR and People operations in a growing company
• Exposure to cross-border operations and immigration processes
• High-impact role with direct visibility to leadership
• Growth opportunities as the U.S. business expands

Salary: Starting From USD $100,000+

We’re committed to being transparent and fair about pay. The salary range provided is a guideline and not a guaranteed offer. Final compensation is determined based on responsibilities of the role, market data, internal equity, and individual factors including experience, skills, and location.