Human Resources Generalist

Position Summary: The Human Resources Generalist is responsible for supporting the day-to-day administration of Human Resources programs and initiatives while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws. This position serves as a key business partner to operations by supporting recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, benefits administration, training, performance management, payroll support, and HR compliance.

The HR Generalist works closely with manufacturing leadership to foster a safe, productive, and engaged workforce in a fast-paced beverage manufacturing environment.

Reporting Structure

Reports To: Human Resources Director

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Coordinate full-cycle recruiting for hourly and salaried positions.
• Post job openings through the Paycom applicant tracking system (ATS) and external job boards.
• Screen applicants, schedule interviews, conduct reference checks, and prepare employment offers.
• Coordinate pre-employment requirements, including background checks, drug testing, and employment eligibility verification.
• Participate in job fairs and community recruiting events.
• Maintain candidate communication throughout the hiring process.

Onboarding & Offboarding

• Conduct new hire orientation and onboarding.
• Ensure completion of employment documentation including Form I-9, W-4, direct deposit, handbook acknowledgments, and company policies.
• Coordinate new employee training and onboarding schedules.
• Conduct exit interviews and process employee separations.
• Maintain personnel files in accordance with company policy and legal requirements.

Employee Relations

• Serve as a resource for employees and supervisors regarding company policies and procedures.
• Assist managers with employee coaching, counseling, corrective actions, and performance improvement plans.
• Investigate employee complaints and workplace concerns while maintaining confidentiality.
• Promote employee engagement initiatives and positive employee relations.
• Assist with conflict resolution and mediation.

Benefits Administration

• Assist employees with benefit enrollment, life event changes, and benefit questions.
• Coordinate annual open enrollment activities.
• Administer leave programs including FMLA, CFRA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, military leave, and other protected leaves.
• Coordinate workers' compensation claims and return-to-work programs.

Payroll Support

• Support payroll processing by reviewing timecards, attendance records, PTO requests, and employee data changes.
• Ensure accurate employee records within Paycom.
• Coordinate with Payroll regarding employee status changes, compensation updates, and deductions.

Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:
  • Federal and California labor laws
  • Wage and hour regulations
  • OSHA requirements
  • EEO regulations
  • ADA interactive process
  • Workers' Compensation requirements
  • Harassment prevention requirements
• Maintain required employment postings and records.
• Assist with audits including I-9, workers' compensation, benefits, OSHA, and employment records.
• Support policy updates and employee handbook revisions.

Performance Management

• Assist supervisors with performance evaluations.
• Monitor performance review schedules.
• Support employee development and succession planning initiatives.
• Coordinate employee recognition programs.

Training & Development

• Coordinate required safety and compliance training.
• Maintain employee training records.
• Schedule internal and external training sessions.
• Assist with leadership development programs.

HR Administration

• Maintain confidential employee records and HR documentation.
• Prepare HR reports and metrics including:
  • Headcount
  • Turnover
  • Attendance
  • Recruiting metrics
  • Training completion
• Assist with special HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support implementation and maintenance of HRIS systems.

Qualifications        

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Experience

• 3–5 years of Human Resources experience.
• Manufacturing or food and beverage industry experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting hourly production employees.
• Experience with California employment law preferred.
• Experience with HRIS and payroll systems (Paycom experience preferred)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of Human Resources principles and employment laws.
• Understanding of California labor law requirements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Applicant Tracking Systems and HRIS.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with all levels of the organization.

WORKING CONDITIONS

With or without reasonable accommodation, requires the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential functions.  In addition to other demands, the demands of the job include:

• On-site role in a manufacturing plant environment
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Must be able to wear or use common protective or safety equipment as needed
• Must be able to stand or sit for extended periods
• Must be able to use hands to handle, control or feel objects, tools or controls for extended periods
• Must be able to work under pressure
• Must be able to understand the importance of being exact or accurate
• Must be comfortable with sounds or noise levels that can be uncomfortable or distracting

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently moving mechanical parts and experiencing vibration. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.
• Combination of office and manufacturing plant environments.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering production area, including hairnets, beard nets (if applicable), safety glasses, hearing protection, closed-toed shoes, and other required PPE.
• Occasional overtime and weekend work may be required to support business operations. 

Physical Demand

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/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 the ability to adjust focus.