Human Resources Associate Director

Sakata Seed America; Woodland (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401k program with company match

Profit Sharing program

Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus

Paid Vacation

Sick Leave

Paid Family Leave

14 paid company holidays

Job summary

Sakata Seed America is seeking a Human Resources Associate Director in Woodland, California. This role involves partnering with HR leadership to drive people strategies aligning with organizational goals. Responsibilities include leading HR functions, ensuring compliance with laws, and enhancing workforce effectiveness. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, 10+ years of relevant experience, and strong leadership skills. The position offers a salary range of $170,000-$190,000 and comprehensive benefits, including medical coverage and paid time off.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of HR experience, overseeing areas like benefits, compliance, and employee relations.
• 5+ years leading HR teams with a broad-based knowledge of HR practices.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple concurrent assignments.

Responsibilities

• Partner with leadership to translate business objectives into actionable HR strategies.
• Lead initiatives to improve organizational culture and employee experience.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and manage recruitment processes.

Skills

Relationship building

Leadership skills

Knowledge of labor laws

HR competencies

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field

Master’s degree

HR certification (PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP)

Tools

ADP or related HRIS software

Job description

JobSummary: The Human Resources Associate Director partners closely with the HR Director and senior leadership to execute people strategies that align with organizational objectives and ensure full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This role plays a key part in developing, implementing, and evaluating HR policies, programs, and functions, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence. The HR Associate Director provides both strategic guidance and hands‑on leadership across core HR functions, including benefits, compensation, payroll, HRIS, talent management, learning and development, employee relations, compliance, and engagement, while fostering a positive, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.

• Partner with HR director and senior leadership to translate business objectives into actionable HR strategies.
• Lead initiatives that strengthen organizational culture, improve employee experience, and enhance overall workforce effectiveness.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on complex HR matters.
• Provides guidance and hands‑on leadership across core HR functions.
• Provides guidance on employee relations issues, ensuring fair and consistent resolution aligned with policy and legal standards.
• Oversee performance management process, ensuring accountability and professional growth.
• Ensure HR programs, policies, and practices comply with multi‑state, federal, and local labor and employment laws and regulations.
• Develops, implements and control programs in a manner that ensures cost effectiveness, market competitiveness and internal equity among employees.
• Directs full‑cycle recruitment, ensuring alignment with workforce planning and hiring goals.
• Partners with leaders to forecast hiring needs and develop effective talent pipelines.
• Oversee benefit strategy, administration, and vendor relationships to deliver high‑value, cost‑effective programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; Master’s degree.
• HR certification PHR/SPHR or SHRM-CP/SHRM‑SCP preferred.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in human resources, overseeing functional areas such as benefits administration, compensation, HRIS data, compliance, employee relations, payroll, talent acquisition and onboarding, learning, and talent development.
• 5+ years leading a team of HR professionals.
• General, broad‑based knowledge and practice of HR competencies: organizational design, performance management, leadership development, talent practices, employment practices, compensation, and total rewards.

Working Conditions / Physical Demands

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work extended hours if necessary.
• Must be able to travel to different locations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to quickly build relationships, build trust, and successfully collaborate with others to influence the accomplishment of organizational goals.
• Works independently to prioritize work, effectively delegate, establish goals, and produce quality work.
• Deep knowledge of federal, multi‑state, and local labor and employment laws and regulations.
• The ability to work both strategically and operationally.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent assignments while meeting company and department objectives.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (e.g., Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) and ADP or related HRIS software.
• Salary: $170,000-$190,000 per year
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage for employees and their families
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Profit Sharing program (via 401k)
• Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus program
• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year to start, increases with tenure
• Sick Leave: 1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked for first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month after.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service for FMLA qualifying events

*To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty (as described above) satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.