Human Resources Manager

What Chefs Want! is building a supportive, people-first workplace for its Denver Hub team, and this role serves as the primary HR point of contact for Colorado. As the HR generalist for the Denver operation, you will partner with regional employees and managers while handling core HR programs across employee relations, recruiting, compliance, benefits, payroll coordination, HR technology, and reporting. This is an execution-focused position based onsite in Denver, CO . Role Overview In this full-time role, you will manage HR responsibilities for employees and managers in Colorado, including investigations, performance and corrective action support, onboarding coordination, and ongoing compliance. You will also help drive retention through exit interview themes and support HR due diligence and Day 1 planning for M&A transactions as needed. Key Responsibilities Act as the primary HR contact for Colorado employees and managers on HR matters, policies, workplace issues, and guidance Investigate and resolve employee relations concerns promptly, consistently, and with appropriate documentation Coach and support managers on performance management, corrective action, and documentation best practices Foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture aligned with company values Conduct exit interviews and track themes to support retention improvements Manage full-cycle recruiting for assigned roles, including job posting, sourcing, screening, interview coordination, and offer letter preparation Conduct structured new hire onboarding and orientation, including Day 1 logistics, I-9 completion, and system setup Support a 90-day assimilation process Provide backup recruiting support for regional or corporate open positions as needed Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, EEO, and I-9/E-Verify Administer and track leave programs (FMLA, state leave, company leave, and ADA accommodations) with support from a third-party leave administrator Support OSHA compliance and recordkeeping necessary for DOT compliance Manage unemployment claims and respond to agency inquiries Coordinate workers’ compensation claims administration with safety leadership Maintain current labor law postings and ensure regulatory compliance across work locations Maintain employee records and documentation in accordance with retention schedules Support annual open enrollment, including employee communications, election tracking, and system updates Serve as a primary resource for benefits questions, enrollment issues, and claims escalation Assist with benefits analysis, vendor relationship management, and renewal preparation Provide backup support for timecard review and payroll processing as needed, partnering with payroll and HRIS for data accuracy and timely processing Support UKG system administration for Colorado employees Assist with updating and developing the employee handbook and HR policies to ensure they remain current and compliant Administer HRIS for all employees in Colorado, including record updates, audits, and reporting Identify and recommend process improvements to increase HR efficiency and scalability Produce weekly and monthly HR reporting on key metrics, using data to identify trends and share actionable insights Support HR due diligence and Day 1 integration planning for M&A transactions, including preliminary people assessments and onboarding coordination Lead or contribute to HR special projects locally and at the corporate level as assigned Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration (or equivalent combination of education and experience) Minimum 5 years of progressive HR experience with a strong generalist foundation in an environment such as distribution or manufacturing Working knowledge of federal and multi-state employment laws ( FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, EEO, I-9 ) Demonstrated experience in employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, and compliance Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and HR/timekeeping systems Strong written and verbal communication skills Highly organized with solid project and time management skills Spanish bilingual preferred Technologies MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) UKG HRIS I-9/E-Verify OSHA Travel and Work Details Up to 15% travel In-person work location Ability to commute to Denver, CO 80216 (required) Full-time Pay and Education Salary: USD 65,000 - 80,000 per year Experience: Human Resources or related field: 5 years (required) Benefits 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Flexible schedule Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Why Work for What Chefs Want! Grocery savings (employees get savings on everything carried) Flexible schedule (requests for a day off are accommodated when possible) Full benefit package available (Health, dental, vision, voluntary benefits) Life insurance offered to all employees ($25,000 free of charge) 401K plan available (ask for details) Family-owned company with a family feel Promotion from within (opportunities are available to those who ask) Preferred Skills and Certifications PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent HR certification Experience with Kronos or similar workforce management systems Experience in a high-growth company or multi-site organization #J-18808-Ljbffr