Human Resources Business Partner

Guittard Chocolate Company; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chocolate manufacturer based in Burlingame, CA is seeking a Human Resource Business Partner to manage workforce planning, compliance, and employee relations. This full-time role requires a Bachelor's degree and at least five years of related experience. As the HR Business Partner, you'll support the production team, maintain employee records, and ensure adherence to labor regulations. Ideal candidates should possess strong integrity and knowledge of HR policies, with a preference for those experienced in the food manufacturing sector.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in human resources, business management, hospitality management, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in employee relations and compliance required.
• Knowledgeable in HR procedures and laws related to employment.

Responsibilities

• Support workforce planning and onboarding procedures.
• Ensure compliance with food and labor regulations.
• Maintain accurate employee records and handle sensitive issues.

Skills

Employee relations

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Understanding of HR laws

Strong integrity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources or related field

Tools

UKG Timekeeping or HRIS system

Business Central

Job description

Guittard Chocolate Company is an American-based chocolate maker and has made the world’s best chocolate for five generations. We are the oldest continuously family-owned chocolate company in the United States. The company was founded in 1868 and is headquartered in Burlingame, California.

As the Human Resource Business Partner your key responsibilities are to provide workforce planning, support onboarding, determining benefits and compensation, ensuring compliance with food and labor regulations, and troubleshooting any workplace issues. The HR Business Partner position is an exempt, full-time and fully benefited position, and reports to the Director of Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to the production team in interpreting and enforcing rules, policies, and procedures. Review annually for compliance with any change in laws or regulations.
• Maintain open communications with all union officials and production management.
• Provide support and guidance to sensitive questions and issues as they arise; may be required to administer and execute routine tasks in delicate circumstances such as providing reasonable accommodations, investigating allegations of wrongdoing, and terminations.
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices.
• Enforce company HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook.
• Maintain accurate and confidential employee records, including personal data, benefits, and attendance.
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law.
• Oversee employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations.
• Act as a visible and accessible HR point of contact in the plant, conduct audits, and actively engage with employees on the production floor.
• Provide coaching to managers and supervisors on performance development and corrective action.
• Train to be the backup for Payroll for the processing of the Union employee’s payroll.
• Commute to Fairfield, CA facility a few times month to support employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business management, hospitality management/integration, statistics, or related degree, required.
• At least five (5) years of experience in related areas such as employee relations, employee benefits, employee retention, and/or equal opportunity compliance required.
• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred.
• Preferred experience within the food industry and/or manufacturing. Union experience is a plus.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision, multitask, attention to detail and team orientated.
• Strong integrity with ability to maintain confidentiality and apply absolute discretion to all matters given managing highly sensitive information.
• Knowledgeable in Human Resources procedures and current laws and regulations relating to State and Federal Leaves, Disabilities, Labor/Hours and Wages, Hiring Practices, Master Contract and Addendum, and Workers Compensation.
• Knowledge of UKG Timekeeping or an HRIS system is a plus. Knowledge of ERP systems; Business Central is a plus.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing operations, challenges, and specific HR needs within a food production environment.

Guittard Chocolate Company is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity.