Human Resources Advisor

The HR Advisor serves as the primary Human Resources contact for a supermarket store location, responsible for managing the full spectrum of HR functions. This role supports store leadership and employees in areas including employee relations, recruitment, compliance, workers’ compensation, performance management, training, and HR administration. The HR Advisor ensures all HR practices align with federal, state, and local employment laws and company policies while fostering a positive and compliant workplace environment. This position operates with a high degree of independence and is expected to exercise discretion and independent judgment in the interpretation and application of HR policies, employment laws, and workplace practices. The role requires a proactive, hands‑on approach to managing HR functions, with the ability to anticipate issues, drive solutions, and operate effectively in a fast‑paced store environment. Employee Relations & Engagement Act as the first point of contact for employee relations matters; provide guidance to managers and employees on workplace issues. Conduct or support prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into employee complaints, including harassment, discrimination, and policy violations, in coordination with Employee Relations, HR Leaders, or Legal, as appropriate. Provide recommendations to management based on investigation findings and applicable policies/laws. Work with store management to resolve employee concerns and maintain a positive work environment. Support employee engagement and retention initiatives. Recruitment & Onboarding Manage full‑cycle recruitment for hourly and exempt store positions and meet the fulfillment rate target. Work with department managers to identify hiring needs and develop staffing plans. Ensure a smooth onboarding process, including new hire orientation in compliance with federal, state, and local requirements. Maintain timely, accurate, and compliant personnel records. Performance Management Advise and coach managers on performance management, including recognition, discipline, documentation, and termination. Review corrective actions to ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance with company policies and applicable laws. Support development planning and talent pipeline efforts at the store. Compliance & Policy Administration Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including California wage and hour, meal and rest break, and leave requirements. Interpret and apply company policies, ensuring consistent and compliant implementation. Partner with corporate HR, Legal, or Compliance on audits, investigations, and regulatory matters. Compensation & Benefits Administration Support the administration of employee benefits and respond to employee inquiries. Coordinate with payroll to promote accurate timekeeping and wage compliance (including meal/rest break compliance). Administer and coordinate leaves of absence (e.g., FMLA, CFRA, PDL, and other applicable leaves) in accordance with legal requirements and company policies, including tracking, documentation, and employee communication. Manage and coordinate all Workers’ Compensation cases for the store, including timely reporting of workplace injuries and illnesses. Serve as the primary contact for employees, managers, and the Safety & WC team regarding WC claims. Ensure compliance with state reporting requirements and documentation standards. Monitor claim status and proactively follow through on all open cases to ensure timely resolution. Coordinate return‑to‑work and modified duty programs in alignment with medical restrictions/guidance and company policies. Maintain a regular presence on the retail floor and back‑of‑house areas to interact with employees and managers. Proactively observe operations to identify potential safety risks, policy violations, and compliance concerns. Address issues directly or elevate as appropriate to ensure a safe and compliant work environment. Support workplace safety initiatives in partnership with operations and safety teams to minimize workplace injury risks. Maintain accurate records related to workplace incidents, claims, and outcomes. Training & Development Support delivery of required training, including California‑mandated harassment prevention training and workplace violence prevention training, as applicable. Proactively identify training needs and coordinate development opportunities with the Learning & Development team. Promote compliance and continuous learning initiatives. HR Operations & Reporting Maintain accurate HRIS and employee records in compliance with company standards and legal requirements. Prepare and analyze HR reports and metrics (turnover, headcount, etc.) for store leadership and corporate. Support HR projects and initiatives as assigned. You Should Have Have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration from an accredited university. Minimum 5 years of progressive hands‑on HR experience in California in chain retail stores/supermarkets/restaurants, manufacturing, warehouse, or other high‑volume, hourly workforce environments. Must have strong knowledge of current Federal, California, and local employment laws, including wage and hour, meal and rest breaks, and leave of absence requirements. Must have the ability to interpret policies and apply employment laws to workplace situations with sound judgment. Proven ability to work independently as the primary HR resource at a store location, exercising a high degree of discretion and independent judgment, while proactively leading and managing all HR matters, including early identification of risks, implementation of solutions, and follow‑through to resolution. Experience supporting a non‑union workforce, with the ability to independently manage employee relations and maintain a positive work environment without union representation. Hands‑on experience managing Workers’ Compensation cases, including reporting, claim follow‑up, and return‑to‑work coordination. Solid experience conducting employee relations investigations and handling sensitive workplace matters. Demonstrated ability to advise and support managers on performance management and corrective actions. Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities/projects independently in a fast‑paced store environment and to meet deadlines. Must be a self‑starter and self‑learner with a strong sense of ownership and commitment to drive continuous improvement processes actively. Strong interpersonal, conflict resolution, and communication (verbal and written) skills. High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information with discretion. Proficiency in HRIS systems, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.). Preferred Qualifications Bilingual in English and Chinese, or English and Spanish, is highly preferred. Certified in PHR‑CA is preferred. Physical Requirements Work is performed in a retail supermarket environment, including office areas, sales floor, and back‑of‑house spaces such as receiving, warehouse, kitchen, and refrigerated areas. Requires frequent walking and standing throughout the store to support operations, conduct employee check‑ins, and respond to workplace issues. Requires regular presence on the retail floor and back‑of‑house areas to interact with employees and observe operations for safety and compliance. Ability to sit and use a computer for extended periods to complete tasks, documentation, and reporting. May require occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 25 lbs. (e.g., files, supplies, training materials). Frequent interaction with employees in varying environmental conditions, including cold (refrigerated/freezer) and hot (kitchen/food production) areas. Ability to respond promptly to workplace incidents, including traveling to different areas of the store where employee injuries or concerns may arise. Requires visual, auditory, and verbal ability to communicate effectively with employees and management and to conduct investigations. May require local travel to other store locations, medical provider offices, or meetings as needed. Ability to work overtime and weekends as needed based on business needs. Limitations & Disclaimer This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications required. The Company reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other responsibilities as business needs change, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Company will provide reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable law. Compensation and benefits are determined based on factors such as education, experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and business needs, and are administered in compliance with applicable pay transparency and wage disclosure laws. Nothing in this job description alters the at‑will employment relationship, creates a contract of employment, or guarantees employment for any specific duration. Benefits Competitive wages, discretionary bonus, paid holiday, paid time off (annual vacation, sick, marriage, bereavement, vision care, life & AD& insurance, 401(k) retirement plan and employer matching), employee assistance program, paid training, learning, 10% off in‑store staff purchases, birthday celebration service, and other perks. Conditions may apply to some of these perks. #J-18808-Ljbffr