HR Generalist - Manufacturing Industrial

HR Generalist - Manufacturing IndustrialLocation: Torrance, CA Pay: 90k - 110k base + packagePosition OverviewWe are seeking an experienced HR Generalist to support our fast-paced industrial manufacturing plant. This role will partner with operations and plant leadership to manage full-cycle HR activities employee relations, onboarding, benefits administration, payroll support, recruiting, and HRIS reporting ensuring compliance with California law and the company's policies. The ideal candidate is hands-on, bilingual (English/Spanish), proficient with HRIS and advanced Excel reporting, and experienced in a high-volume, fast-paced manufacturing environment.This plant is smaller ~45 employees and you will be an individual contributor, even as an HR Manager. Yes there will be hiring and recruiting, but the plant will not be growing a large amount due it's location in Torrance off the rail line. Key ResponsibilitiesManage full-cycle recruiting for plant positions (hourly hiring and salaried roles), including sourcing, interviewing, offer management, and new-hire coordination.Conduct pre-employment processes: manage applications, background checks, drug screens, reference checks, and I-9 verification to ensure timely and compliant hires.Lead onboarding and orientation programs for new employees, ensuring a consistent and engaging new hire experience and completion of required paperwork and training.Serve as primary HR business partner for plant supervisors and employees on employee relations issues, performance management, disciplinary action, investigations, and conflict resolution in compliance with California law.Administer benefits programs, coordinate enrollment, work with insurance carriers and brokers, resolve benefit issues, and support open enrollment activities.Support payroll processes: prepare and verify weekly payroll for hourly employees and bi-weekly payroll for salaried employees, working closely with payroll providers and finance to ensure accuracy.Maintain and administer HRIS records (Dayforce/Ceridian experience a plus): enter and update employee data, ensure data integrity, and run regular and ad-hoc reports.Create and deliver advanced Excel reports and analyses (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data consolidation) to provide actionable metrics on turnover, headcount, OT, and other KPIs.Ensure compliance with federal, state (California) and local employment laws, company policies, and safety regulations; maintain required HR documentation and audit readiness.QualificationsBachelors degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.3-5+ years of HR generalist experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment with hourly recruiting as well as salaried.Practical knowledge of California employment law, wage and hour regulations, and employee relations best practices.Hands-on experience with HRIS systems; Dayforce/Ceridian experience strongly preferred.Advanced Excel skills: ability to build pivot tables, use lookup functions, create macros or complex formulas, and pull/clean large datasets for reporting.Proven payroll experience supporting weekly payroll for hourly staff and bi-weekly payroll for salaried employees; familiarity with timekeeping systems a plus.Experience administering employee benefits and working directly with insurance carriers and brokers.Bilingual English/Spanish fluency (verbal and written) required to support frontline employees and supervisors.Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to coach managers and handle confidential situations with discretion.Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.