HR Operations Specialist

Johnson Brothers Liquor Company; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 43,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Brothers Liquor Company in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is seeking an HR Operations Specialist to support day-to-day HR operations and the employee lifecycle. You will serve as a resource for candidates, employees, hiring managers, vendors, and colleagues by providing responsive, professional, and energetic support throughout onboarding and employment.

The role involves managing the HR shared services inbox, coordinating pre-employment activities, maintaining Workday records, handling I-9s,

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in payroll processing, recruiting, or general HR role.
• Experience with Workday Payroll is preferred.
• Experience using an ATS and HRIS.
• Experience supporting employee benefits administration (medical, dental, vision, life, 401(k)).
• Experience administering workplace leave programs (FMLA, ADA, Workers’ Comp).
• Knowledge of US federal/state/local employment laws and HR compliance.

Responsibilities

• Manage the HR shared services inbox and phone line, responding to inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Deliver HR customer service throughout the employment lifecycle and resolve inquiries.
• Serve as the primary HR contact for HRBPs, supervisors, managers, and team members on HR policies and processes.
• Build relationships with recruiters, HRBPs, and leaders to ensure smooth hiring and onboarding.
• Coordinate all pre-employment activities (background checks, drug screens, etc.).
• Review pre-employment screening results in accordance with policy and law.
• Manage candidate and hiring manager communications during hiring process.
• Create and maintain new hire records in Workday; ensure timely onboarding approvals.
• Process and maintain I-9 documentation; ensure compliance.
• Coordinate and communicate new hire start dates with internal partners.
• Facilitate new hire orientation sessions as needed.
• Coordinate licenses and permits in applicable markets.
• Route inquiries to appropriate internal partners.
• Process HR transactions in Workday (hiring, changes, transfers, leaves, terminations).
• Maintain accurate Workday records aligned with timekeeping/scheduling.
• Coordinate leave requests with leave administrator, ensure documentation.
• Provide day-to-day support for employee benefit programs (enrollment, eligibility).
• Complete employment verifications and other documentation.
• Administer Workers' Compensation with partners and third-party admins.
• Manage unemployment claims and related documentation.
• Handle separation process and related documentation.
• Participate in process improvements and HR projects.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Discretion/Confidentiality

Microsoft Excel

Workday

HRIS

Payroll processing

ATS

HR compliance

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in HR/Business Admin

Equivalent combination of education, training, and HR experience

Tools

Workday Payroll

ATS

HRIS (Workday preferred)

Job description

Looking for a rewarding career? Johnson Brothers is a leading family-owned distributor of wine, spirits, and beer, delivering exceptional service since 1953. We proudly represent the world’s top beverage brands and are committed to excellence, innovation, and growth. Johnson Brothers offers exciting opportunities in a variety of areas. As an HR Operations Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources team and ensuring an exceptional employee experience throughout the entire employee lifecycle. From the candidate and onboarding stages through active employment, you will manage a variety of HR processes that contribute to the success of our organization. In this role, you will serve as a resource for candidates, employees, hiring managers, vendors, and colleagues by providing responsive, professional, and energetic support.

Job Description:

• Manage the HR shared services inbox and phone line, responding to team member and manager inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Deliver exceptional HR customer service by supporting team members throughout the employment lifecycle and resolving HR‑related inquiries.
• Serve as the primary HR point of contact for Human Resources Business Partners (HRBPs), supervisors, managers, and team members on HR policies, processes, and employment‑related questions.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with recruiters, HRBPs, and operational leaders to ensure a seamless hiring and onboarding experience.
• Coordinate all pre‑employment activities, including background checks, drug screens, physicals, motor vehicle record (MVR) reviews, employment eligibility requirements, and third‑party vendor enrollment (e.g., JJ Keller).
• Review and evaluate pre‑employment screening results, including criminal background checks, MVRs, and drug screening outcomes, in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.
• Manage all candidate and hiring manager communications throughout the hiring process, including pre‑employment instructions, onboarding information, technology requests, orientation details, policy acknowledgments, and disposition notifications.
• Create and maintain new hire records in Workday, ensuring accurate data entry, completion of onboarding tasks, and timely approvals.
• Process and maintain I‑9 documentation for all team members, ensuring compliance with federal employment eligibility requirements.
• Coordinate and communicate new hire start dates with internal partners to support onboarding readiness.
• Facilitate new hire orientation sessions as needed.
• Coordinate the ordering and renewal of required business licenses and sales permits in applicable markets.
• Route recruiting and employment‑related inquiries to the appropriate internal partners.
• Process a variety of employee lifecycle transactions in Workday, including new hires, job changes, promotions, transfers, leaves of absence, and terminations.
• Partner with HRBPs and hiring managers to facilitate employee job changes and maintain accurate employee records.
• Maintain accurate Workday records, ensuring employee data aligns with timekeeping and scheduling systems.
• Coordinate leave of absence requests with team members, managers, and the company’s third‑party leave administrator, ensuring accurate documentation and timely system updates.
• Provide day‑to‑day support for all employee benefit programs, including enrollment, eligibility, and general benefits inquiries.
• Complete employment verifications and prepare other requested employment‑related documentation.
• Administer the Workers' Compensation process by partnering with internal partners, third‑party administrators, and injured team members throughout the claims lifecycle.
• Serve as the company representative for unemployment claims, including claim responses, hearings, and required documentation.
• Manage the separation process, including final documentation, system updates, exit communications, and coordination with Payroll and Benefits as needed.
• Maintain and securely store separation agreements and related employment documentation.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives, documentation updates, and HR projects to support operational excellence and evolving business needs.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the Human Resources function and organizational objectives.

The expected pay range for this role is $43,268 - $62,000. Pay is based on several factors including, but not limited to, labor markets, education, candidate experience, certifications, etc.

Johnson Brothers offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health savings and flexible spending accounts. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k) with an employer match, short term disability coverage, company‑paid long term disability insurance, generous paid time off (PTO) plans and paid parental leave.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Johnson Brothers is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and equal treatment in employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender/gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, military status or any other basis in protected by applicable federal, state and local law. Johnson Brothers makes employment decisions based solely on the basis of qualifications for the job.

Education

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

Experience & Knowledge

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in payroll processing, recruiting, or general Human Resources role.
• Experience with Workday Payroll is preferred.
• Experience using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and Human Resources Information System (HRIS - Workday preferred).
• Experience supporting employee benefits administration, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, and 401(k) plans.
• Experience administering workplace leave programs, including Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, Workers' Compensation, and disability leave programs.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to review, interpret, and evaluate pre‑employment screening results, including background checks, motor vehicle records (MVRs), and drug screening results, and make employment eligibility determinations in accordance with company policy and applicable laws.

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to build positive working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational, time management, and follow‑through skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and competing deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
• Ability to work with a strong sense of urgency while maintaining accuracy and quality.
• Intermediate/Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions such as PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and formulas.

Johnson Brothers is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair treatment and hiring based on qualifications. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other protected status under applicable laws.

Worker Sub-Type: Regular Time Type: Full time

Johnson Brothers is a third-generation, family‑owned wine, beer, and spirits distributor founded in 1953 by Lynn Johnson in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Guided by its founding values of work ethic, teamwork, excellence, innovation, passion, and integrity, the company partners with top-tier suppliers to deliver a world‑class portfolio and exceptional service to customers across 25 states. The company was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies for three consecutive years (2023–2025). Learn more at johnsonbrothers.com | LinkedIn | Instagram.