Human Resources Director

EquaMagna - Mindful People Solutions; Fort Lee (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Overseas Food Trading Ltd. in Fort Lee, NJ seeks a strategic Director of Human Resources to build an early-stage HR function and lead a small team.

You will design processes, implement best practices, advise leadership on organizational design, and drive engagement, compliance and talent initiatives across the company. The role partners with senior leaders to align HR with growth, manage payroll and HRIS, oversee compliance and visa programs, and shape a scalable HR infrastructure for a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business Administration or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years progressive HR experience with at least 3 years in a Director-level role.
• Strong experience in employee relations, compliance and organizational development.
• Payroll oversight and HRIS systems experience.
• Experience leading and mentoring a small HR team (2–3 reports).
• Ability to partner with senior leadership on business strategy and risk.
• Deep knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices.
• Strong leadership, decision-making and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute HR strategy aligned with business goals.
• Advise on organizational design, workforce planning and talent strategy.
• Lead initiatives for employee engagement, retention and culture.
• Oversee compliance with federal/state/local laws and HR audits.
• Manage visa programs (H1B, J-1) and contingent staff compliance.
• Own payroll function and HRIS strategy, data integrity and system optimization.
• Oversee recruitment and talent acquisition end-to-end.
• Build and scale HR processes and infrastructure for growth.

Skills

Employee relations

Compliance

Organizational development

Leadership

Strategic partnering

HR process design

Decision making

Problem solving

Communication

Risk management

Payroll management

Small team leadership

Employment laws

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or related field

Master’s degree in Business Administration or HR-related field

10+ years progressive HR experience including 3+ years in Director role

Tools

HRIS systems

Payroll processes

Job description

Overseas Food Trading Ltd. is a growing specialty food import and distribution company based in Fort Lee, New Jersey. With a team of approximately 90 employees, we serve a diverse customer base and operate in a fast-paced, globally connected environment.

Our workforce reflects a rich multicultural background, and we take pride in fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture. As the company continues to expand, we are building the infrastructure and leadership needed to support sustainable growth while maintaining our entrepreneurial spirit.

Position Summary

Overseas Food Trading Ltd. is seeking a strategic and hands-on Director of Human Resources to lead the development of its HR function. As a newly established department, this role will be responsible for building structure, implementing processes, and establishing best practices that support the organization’s growth.

With approximately 90 employees, the Director will oversee and develop a small HR team, providing mentorship, coaching, and guidance while ensuring effective day-to-day operations. This role will also drive key initiatives across talent, compliance, and organizational development, partnering closely with leadership to strengthen the overall HR function and employee experience.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Business Partnership

• Partner with executive leadership to develop and execute HR strategy aligned with business goals
• Advise on organizational design, workforce planning, and talent strategy
• Drive initiatives related to employee engagement and retention
• Support leadership through change management initiatives and company growth
• Lead the HR department, defining its structure, processes, and strategic direction as a newly developed function
• Develop and scale the HR policies, procedures, workflows and best practices to support a growing organization
• Develop and maintain consistent HR communications across the organization

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Coach managers on performance, feedback and employee development
• Design and implement performance management frameworks
• Serve as escalation point for complex employee relations issues
• Build and Support initiatives that foster a positive, inclusive, and productive workplace culture

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with federal state and local employment laws and regulations
• Oversee I-9 compliance, HR audits, and HR recordkeeping
• Oversee visa programs (H1B, J-1) and Contingent Staff workforce compliance
• Maintain policies and employee handbook
• Maintain HR compensation strategy and salary structure accordingly

Talent Development & Organizational Growth/ Training

• Develop and implement talent development strategies to support employee growth and retention
• Partner with leadership to identify skill gaps and create development plans across teams
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, feedback, and professional development

Recruitment and Talent acquisition

• Oversee end-to-end recruitment strategy (internal and external)
• Partner with hiring managers to define roles and develop job descriptions
• Lead and mentor the HR team in executing effective recruitment initiatives

Payroll, Benefits & HRIS Ownership

• Own payroll function, processing accuracy and compliance
• Own HRIS strategy and data integrity and system optimization
• Lead yearly benefit review and define company benefit strategy

Education, Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree (MBA or HR-related) preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in a Director-level role
• Strong experience in employee relations, compliance, and organizational development
• Proven experience overseeing payroll processes and HRIS systems
• Experience managing and developing small HR teams (2–3 direct reports)
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale HR processes and infrastructure
• Experience partnering with senior leadership and advising on business strategy
• Deep knowledge of employment laws and HR best practices
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to prepare and present reports and presentations
• Ability to manage risk, handle sensitive situations, and balance strategic priorities with operational oversight

Physical Requirements

• Frequent sitting and standing.
• Occasional bending, lifting, and movement within the office.
• Strong visual and auditory capability required.