Performance & Compensation Specialist

Kura Sushi USA is a publicly traded U.S. company established in 2008 as a subsidiary of Kura Sushi, Inc. We are an innovative and tech interactive Japanese restaurant chain serving up the ultimate eater-tainment dining experience with a combination of premium ingredients, advanced technology, and affordable prices to create a one‑of‑a‑kind revolving sushi dining experience. Come join the Kura Krew! We have an exciting opportunity for a position title to join our growing team. We’re looking for a Performance & Compensation Specialist to support and enhance company‑wide performance review, incentive, and compensation programs. In this role, you’ll help ensure consistent execution, compliance, and data‑driven insights that strengthen both employee experience and organizational results. This role is a hybrid role. The selected candidate must be able to come to the office in Irvine, CA on in office days and as needed to carry out necessary functions of the role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Takes initiative in administering and executing performance review/compensation/award programs for our restaurants and Corporate Support Center ("CSC") monthly, quarterly, annually or any other frequency per each program’s procedure. (Store STIC, Store Customer Satisfaction Award, Store Base Rates, ARMG STIC, CSC 90-day Evaluation, CSC STIC, CSC Merit Increase, etc.) Administers "LTIC", equity based long term incentive program and ensures important communications and approval evidence are recorded. Understands each program’s principals and procedures fully and ensures the consistent execution of the programs. Conducts a program training as needed. Ensures restaurant related Kintone approval requests are aligned with the latest program criteria or Store Base Rate Chart and verifies the requested forms within the same day or two (2). Manages the Company’s performance review online platform and keeps the user list and access authorizations up to date. Provides trouble shooting and user instructions. Ensures all position job descriptions are up to date by facilitating the creation or update process for HODs. Implements an automated review process to the maximum extent when a new program or revised criteria is implemented. Supports CSC Head of Department ("HOD") to set KPI and STIC goals that are aligned with company goals and to track the goal progress by providing tools and instructions. Assesses the effectiveness of existing programs and makes improvement recommendations to the supervisor or other HODs as appropriate. Facilitates and administers the restaurants’ base rate update process including announcements and bulk EECF processes. Assists the supervisor with the compensation review processes including job evaluation, market analysis, etc.by researching and gathering necessary data or information to stay competitive in the market. Ensures the compliance of state and local minimum wages. Takes initiative in compensation survey participations and completes the submissions timely. Keeps CSC compensation list accurate and up to date to support various needs for the compensation review and other CSC related preparations. Keeps track of incentive/award results and other data such as turnover ratio, restaurant pay increase ratio, etc. and provide analysis to the supervisor and/or involved departments. Ensures periodic or irregular data updates, submissions, or downloads are completed timely. (BBI, turnover ratio, tracking of incentive payouts, NRO list, ARMG list, etc.) Records and organizes various data files in the department internal data folders in a uniform way and ensures the files are easily searchable or recognizable at a glance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

3-5 years of human resources work experience 1-2 years of experience with administering performance review and compensation programs Familiarity with UKG (Ultipro) custom report functions Experience with compensation surveys Proficiency with MS Office applications and intermediate MS Excel skill with understanding of combined formulas including IF, SUMIF, XLOOKUP, AGGREGATE, etc. (*Need the understanding and ability to create combined formulas from scratch that reflect review criteria.) Familiarity with handling a large amount of data and analysis Ability to effectively handle highly confidential compensation and other human resource information Ability to work well on independent projects or as part of a team Strong attention to detail and data accuracy Excellent customer service

DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with administering multiple performance review/compensation programs simultaneously Familiarity with multiple minimum wage jurisdictions’ minimum wage increase process at the candidate’s current or previous employers. Experience with compensation market analysis Relevant experience in the restaurant industry Knowledge to write job descriptions Familiarity to draft policies Relevant experience in the restaurant industry is desirable.

WORK SCHEDULE & BENEFITS

Full time position; exempt Hybrid schedule: one day in the office required Office located in Irvine, CA Benefits include medical, dental, vision. Optional plans of: Accidental, Hospital, Supplemental Life & AD&D Employer paid benefits: life and accidental death, short term disability, and long-term disability EAP Program Pet health insurance available 401K match Paid sick Leave and PTO Kura Dining Discounts!

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field; or minimum of 3 to 5 years of human resources experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience Minimum 1-2 years of experience with administering performance review and compensation programs Experience with administering multiple performance review and compensation programs simultaneously is desirable. Familiarity with ADP custom report functions Experience with compensation surveys and compensation market analysis covering multiple minimum wage jurisdictions Proficiency with MS Office applications (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.) and intermediate MS Excel skill with understanding of combined formulas including IF, SUMIF, XLOOKUP, AGGREGATE, etc. PAY RANGE: $70,300 – $82,500/yr. DOE. #J-18808-Ljbffr Kura Sushi Corporate Support Center