People & Culture Senior Manager

Job Scope & Summary

Marich Confectionery Company is a privately held manufacturer of premium chocolate and sugar confectionery products. Its office and plant are located in Hollister, CA and the company employs about 150 employees. Most employees work in our manufacturing facility, operating in two daily shifts. 

The People & Culture Senior Manager is directly responsible for overseeing the Human Resources function for Marich and its employees, including Staffing (recruiting, hiring, and separation), Compensation, Employee Relations, Employment related legal matters, Performance Management, Employee Retention, Rewards and Recognition, Safety program and Employee Training and Development. This position reports to the CEO and is responsible for managing all functions of the People & Culture department which includes the People & Culture Coordinator. This is an ONSITE position working out of our Hollister, CA plant.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Annually reviews and makes recommendations to executive management for improvement of the company’s policies, procedures and practices on Human Resources matters.

• Maintains knowledge of industry trends and employment legislation and ensures company’s compliance.

• Maintains responsibility for company compliance with federal and state legislation pertaining to all personnel matters.

• Communicates changes in personnel policies and procedures and ensures proper compliance is followed.

• Assists executive management in the annual review, preparation and administration of wage and salary program.

• Consults with legal counsel as appropriate, or as directed by the CEO, on Human Resources matters.

• Works directly with department managers to assist in carrying out their responsibilities on Human Resources matters. Coaches/counsels managers, and supervisors in addressing employee relations, performance management, training and development needs and assessment.

• Recommends, evaluates, and participates in staff development for the company.

• Develops and maintains a human resource system that meets company Human Resources information needs. 

• Participates on committees and special projects.

• Works with People & Culture Coordinator regarding the negotiations of all annual HR plans and contracts, including health insurance, worker’s compensation, 401(k), and supplemental insurance plans.

• Works with People & Culture Coordinator to conduct annual salary reviews and manage annual performance review and increase process for all Exempt and Non-Exempt employees.

• Works with contracted HR firm to, implement, and interpret policies, procedures and programs related to all HR functions, ensuring compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations.

• Manage all company-wide employee communications and information dissemination.

• Conducts New Employee Orientation and all related on-boarding paperwork.

• Works with insurance broker and carriers to process all Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and 401(k) new enrollments/changes/terminations, loan processing, weekly 401(k) contribution verifications and payment transfers, and addresses employee issues or concerns to resolution.

• Prepares presentation for quarterly board meetings focused on People & Culture payroll and headcount data as well as any other P&C related information as requested. 

• Participates in weekly Executive Leadership team meetings. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, human resources, related field, or equivalent work experience required.

• 10+ years of exempt level experience in human resources, or related role required.

• Alignment and excitement about the mission and vision of Marich

• Demonstrated experience executing new, innovative, and strategic HR initiatives

• Experience and commitment to building and working within a diverse and inclusive community

• Maintains a networking mindset to cultivate community and local market resources

• Adept at shifting priorities when needed and working in a fast-paced environment

• Knowledge of human resources best practices, employment law, talent acquisition, employee relations, and compensation/benefits

• Solid relationship management skills with strong collaborative, problem-solving, and analytical abilities. Must be able to build trust and strong partnerships with all levels of management and employees.

• Has strong bias for action, is self-motivated, and deadline driven.

• Demonstrated time management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and changing priorities.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are a must, from executive to front-line levels, both orally and in writing

• Advanced proficiency in PC skills including MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and search engines; advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel required

Extras We Love! 

• PHR, SHRM-CP, or other related certifications preferred

• Experience working in a manufacturing environment

• Bi-Lingual/Bi-Literate in English/Spanish 

Personal Qualities

Leadership – Proven success in leading high-performance teams, achieving results through others, and being a strong team player

Innovative thinking – Ability to lead innovative and/or transformative projects and strives for continuous improvements

Analytical thinking – Solid ability to analyze data and utilize it to make sound business decisions

Customer oriented – Demonstrate strong focus on “client satisfaction” while maintaining high ethics and professional integrity in all interactions

Conflict management and resolution skills - Build consensus, and anticipate and solve problems

Results focused – Ability to organize and manage multiple, and at times competing priorities

Communication skills – Demonstrate strong communication and collaboration skills necessary to lead and manage teams and projects effectively

Relationship building skills – Ability to work within a dynamic setting and provide leadership to build and develop strong teams.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

This position involves working in a temperature-controlled office environment with standard office hours. In addition, frequent visits to the food manufacturing plant will be required, where employees must adhere to strict safety and hygiene protocols.

Pay Range

The target salary range for this position is $115,000-$125,000/annually. The actual rate offered will depend on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, years of relevant experience.