Human Resources Business Partner

PAQ•Lodi, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) provides hands-on HR support to leaders and employees across multiple store locations, ensuring consistent application of HR policies and employment practices and compliance with California labor laws and regulations. The role combines tactical HR execution with strategic partnership in a fast-paced, customer-centric grocery environment. The HRBP is highly visible in the field, supports day-to-day HR needs, handles complex employee relations matters, and helps align people practices with business objectives. The position also contributes to initiatives that enhance employee engagement, performance, satisfaction, and continuous improvement. The HRBP supports employee relations, recruitment and onboarding, benefits and leave administration, compliance and risk management, performance management, change initiatives, training and development, HR reporting, and employee engagement. Regular travel to store locations is required. Work takes place across office, field, and store environments, primarily indoors, and includes sitting at a desk, computer work, and driving between sites. The role may involve handling and transporting paperwork and office supplies, using office equipment, and exposure to moving mechanical parts and cleaning chemicals at store locations. Hours are flexible and may include some weekends and holidays as needed. Business casual attire is expected, with flexibility for company events or meetings. This is a regular, full-time, exempt position based at PAQ, Inc. store locations in a multi-site, onsite capacity. The role reports to the Director, Human Resources. The stated pay range is $72,000 to $110,000. Employment is at will. PAQ, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and applicants throughout the hiring process.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 5 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 2 years in a business partner role.
Strong working knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.
Experience conducting investigations, IAPs, and other compliance-driven HR action items.
Proven ability to partner with and influence leaders at all levels.
Valid California driver’s license maintained for fleet insurability and travel between store sites.
Excellent communication, judgment, and problem-solving skills.
Working knowledge of federal, California state, and local labor laws and regulations.
Understanding of wage and hour requirements, including overtime, meal and rest breaks, reporting-time pay, and alternative work schedules.
Knowledge of HR best practices in a multi-location, frontline workforce environment.
Understanding of employee relations principles and investigation processes.
Knowledge of HR policies, procedures, and compliance documentation standards.
Working knowledge of HRIS/HCM systems and Office Suite.
Strong interpersonal and intrapersonal skills; effective verbal and electronic communication; attention to detail and accuracy; problem-solving and conflict-resolution capabilities; organizational and time-management skills; and a collaborative, solution-oriented approach.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information in accordance with California law and company policy.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment and shifting priorities.
Proficiency in accurately and securely maintaining HR data and records, and managing HR tasks, documentation, and deadlines.
Willingness to take initiative and accountability and demonstrate professionalism and emotional intelligence.
Ability to work flexible hours, including some weekends and holidays, as needed.
Ability to travel regularly to store locations.
Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer, drive between sites, and handle, lift, carry, and transport paperwork and office supplies as needed.
Ability to use office equipment and perform fine-motor tasks such as keyboarding, writing, and handling small objects.

Nice To Haves

HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP.
Experience supporting multiple departments, business units, and/or locations.
Experience working in the grocery or retail industries.
Data-driven approach to HR decision-making.
Workday experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on support for employee relations matters, including performance management, attendance, corrective action, investigations, and terminations.
Coach leaders on California-specific employee relations requirements, documentation, and progressive discipline.
Conduct workplace investigations in compliance with California law and company policy.
Support employee separations, including final pay, notices, and documentation requirements.
Support end-to-end recruitment, including job postings, resume screening, interviewing, and selection, in partnership with HR Generalists.
Promote equitable hiring practices and compliance with California Civil Rights Department and other relevant regulations.
Conduct new employee orientation and onboarding, and partner with store and department leaders to support a positive new-hire experience.
Assist the Benefits Coordinator with open enrollment and field benefit questions.
Partner with Leave Administrators to manage and track leaves of absence and accommodations as required by California laws.
Ensure compliance with federal, California state, and local labor laws, including wage and hour requirements, leave laws, FEHA, and workers’ compensation requirements.
Advise leaders on employee classification and scheduling practices to promote consistency and compliance.
Ensure corrective actions and terminations align with company best practices and California legal standards.
Support audits, agency inquiries, and regulatory compliance initiatives; maintain personnel records in accordance with California recordkeeping requirements.
Support the performance appraisal process and help develop and implement California-compliant performance improvement plans.
Guide managers on performance matters with consideration for state-specific regulations.
Support and guide stores and departments through business-practice, technology, and growth changes; facilitate change management and smooth transitions.
Support training and development needs, including succession planning, leadership programs, and situational-based retraining.
Promote professional development opportunities for employees.
Maintain HR databases and records in accordance with California data privacy laws.
Analyze HR metrics, identify trends and improvement areas, and present findings and recommendations to senior management.
Partner with management and employees to navigate and resolve workplace issues.
Work with store and departmental leaders to develop and implement HR strategies that support business objectives and align with grocery-industry trends and needs.
Support employee engagement initiatives, events, and activities in compliance with California labor laws.
Gather employee feedback and help improve workplace satisfaction while adhering to confidentiality requirements.
Travel regularly between store locations and perform associated office, computer, driving, and paperwork tasks.