Human Resources Manager

Overview

We are seeking an experienced and proactive HR Manager to lead human resources operations for our 20 unit restaurant franchise group. The HR Manager will oversee all aspects of HR, including recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, workers' compensation, payroll support, and compliance with employment regulations. This role requires a strategic HR expert with a customer service orientation, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to continual process improvement to ease operational burdens and enhance employee experience across the state. The position reports to senior leadership, manages one direct report, and collaborates with operational managers to support business goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruitment and Onboarding: Oversee the full recruitment cycle, including job postings, applicant tracking system (ATS) management, and interviews. Develop and streamline onboarding processes to ensure a seamless new hire experience, including creating training materials and coordinating with managers.
• Employee Relations: Address employee inquiries with a customer service orientation, resolve conflicts, and foster a positive workplace culture. Provide guidance on performance management, disciplinary actions, and career development.
• Benefits Administration: Manage employee benefits programs, including open enrollment, answering benefits-related questions, and ensuring compliance with regulations like COBRA and ACA.
• Workers' Compensation: Handle claims, coordinate with insurance providers, and ensure timely resolution while maintaining accurate records.
• Payroll Support: Generate and review payroll reports, ensure accurate data submission and support transitions to new payroll requirements.
• Compliance and Reporting: Maintain compliance with federal and state labor laws. Prepare and submit reports such as turnover, anniversary, service awards, and ACA compliance. Manage assessments like pre-employment screening and background checks and ServSafe certifications.
• Process Optimization: Drive continual process improvement by identifying inefficiencies, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), and investing in streamlined processes to reduce operational burdens. Optimize ATS workflows, interview frameworks, and disposition flows.
• Team Leadership: Supervise and mentor one direct report, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Coordinate with managers to maintain accurate hiring manager lists and access to HR systems.
• Succession Planning: Support succession planning by maintaining readiness checklists and identifying candidates for career progression.
• Technology Integration: Leverage HR tools (e.g., Paylocity, Microsoft Teams and Power Automate, Pereless) to streamline operations, implement new systems, and provide training for managers.
• Non-Routine Projects: Lead initiatives such as revising interview questions, creating offer letter templates, and implementing new HR technologies or processes.

Keyword: Human Resources
Required Experience:

Qualifications

• 5+ years of HR management experience, preferably in hospitality or multi-unit operations, with demonstrated expertise in HR best practices.
• Proven expertise in recruitment, benefits administration, workers' compensation, and employee relations, with a customer service-oriented approach.
• Strong proficiency with HRIS/ATS systems (e.g., Paylocity, Pereless) and Microsoft 365 tools (Teams, Excel, Forms).
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience in continual process improvement, including developing SOPs and optimizing workflows to ease operational burdens.
• Knowledge of employment laws and compliance requirements (e.g., FMLA, ACA, COBRA).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• HR certification (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR) is a plus, but not required.

Work Environment

• Full-time position requiring 45-50 hours per week, based in our Cedar Rapids office
• Requires occasional travel to operational locations for training and meetings.
• Fast-paced environment with a focus on operational efficiency, employee engagement, and customer service excellence.

From: Panera Bread of Iowa