Fractional HR Director

Fractional HR Director | Food Manufacturing | Orange County

My client is hiring a Fractional HR Director in the food manufacturing industry in Orange County to help transform and elevate their people function. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on, strategic HR leader who thrives in fast-paced environments and can build scalable systems from the ground up.

If you’re a seasoned HR leader looking for a Fractional HR Director role in food manufacturing based in Orange County, this engagement offers meaningful impact, leadership visibility, and flexibility.

About the Role

As the Fractional HR Director, you will partner closely with leadership to shift HR from a reactive function to a proactive, strategic driver of the business. You’ll assess current processes, optimize systems, and implement best practices across operations, benefits, and performance management.

What You’ll Do

Build & Optimize HR Infrastructure

• Design scalable HR processes and systems to support a growing food manufacturing organization in Orange County
• Establish workforce visibility tools (e.g., rosters, department tracking)
• Improve operational efficiency across onboarding, payroll, and employee lifecycle

Benefits & Payroll Strategy

• Evaluate and optimize current benefits offerings, including 401(k) administration
• Assess current payroll/HRIS system and potentially lead a transition if needed
• Create a clear strategy for benefits optimization

Drive Strategic HR Initiatives

• Transition HR to a proactive function with clear planning and structure
• Partner with leadership on workforce planning and organizational design

Implement Performance Management

• Build and roll out a standardized performance review process
• Equip managers with tools and frameworks to drive accountability

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Provide oversight of health and safety practices critical to the food manufacturing industry
• Ensure compliance with employment and workplace regulations

Team Leadership

• Guide and mentor a small HR team of 2 individuals
• Identify gaps and support hiring for additional HR capabilities as needed

What We’re Looking For

• Senior HR leader
• Experience in manufacturing
• Strong background in HR operations, systems implementation, and benefits strategy
• Proven ability to work independently and solve complex problems with minimal direction
• Hands-on approach with both strategic and executional capability