Human Resources Manager

What Chefs Want!; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Employee discount

Flexible schedule

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

What Chefs Want! is seeking an HR Generalist for the Denver operation. This on-site role supports Colorado employees and manages HR programs across relations, recruiting, compliance, benefits, payroll coordination, HRIS, and reporting.

You will drive onboarding, investigations, performance support, and Day 1 planning for M&A when needed; 5+ years HR experience required and bilingual Spanish preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive HR experience with a generalist foundation.
• Working knowledge of federal and multi-state employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, EEO, I-9).
• Experience in employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, and compliance.
• Proficiency in MS Office and HR/timekeeping systems; strong communication skills.
• Spanish bilingual is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary HR contact for Colorado employees and managers.
• Investigate employee relations concerns and document resolutions.
• Coach managers on performance management and corrective action.
• Lead full-cycle recruiting and onboarding processes.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and administer leave programs.

Skills

HR generalist

Employee relations

Onboarding

Recruiting

Compliance

Communication

Spanish bilingual

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR or Business Administration

Tools

UKG

HRIS

I-9/E-Verify

MS Office

Kronos

Job description

What Chefs Want! is building a supportive, people-first workplace for its Denver Hub team, and this role serves as the primary HR point of contact for Colorado. As the HR generalist for the Denver operation, you will partner with regional employees and managers while handling core HR programs across employee relations, recruiting, compliance, benefits, payroll coordination, HR technology, and reporting. This is an execution-focused position based onsite in Denver, CO.

Role Overview

In this full-time role, you will manage HR responsibilities for employees and managers in Colorado, including investigations, performance and corrective action support, onboarding coordination, and ongoing compliance. You will also help drive retention through exit interview themes and support HR due diligence and Day 1 planning for M&A transactions as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary HR contact for Colorado employees and managers on HR matters, policies, workplace issues, and guidance
• Investigate and resolve employee relations concerns promptly, consistently, and with appropriate documentation
• Coach and support managers on performance management, corrective action, and documentation best practices
• Foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture aligned with company values
• Conduct exit interviews and track themes to support retention improvements
• Manage full-cycle recruiting for assigned roles, including job posting, sourcing, screening, interview coordination, and offer letter preparation
• Conduct structured new hire onboarding and orientation, including Day 1 logistics, I-9 completion, and system setup
• Support a 90-day assimilation process
• Provide backup recruiting support for regional or corporate open positions as needed
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, EEO, and I-9/E-Verify
• Administer and track leave programs (FMLA, state leave, company leave, and ADA accommodations) with support from a third-party leave administrator
• Support OSHA compliance and recordkeeping necessary for DOT compliance
• Manage unemployment claims and respond to agency inquiries
• Coordinate workers’ compensation claims administration with safety leadership
• Maintain current labor law postings and ensure regulatory compliance across work locations
• Maintain employee records and documentation in accordance with retention schedules
• Support annual open enrollment, including employee communications, election tracking, and system updates
• Serve as a primary resource for benefits questions, enrollment issues, and claims escalation
• Assist with benefits analysis, vendor relationship management, and renewal preparation
• Provide backup support for timecard review and payroll processing as needed, partnering with payroll and HRIS for data accuracy and timely processing
• Support UKG system administration for Colorado employees
• Assist with updating and developing the employee handbook and HR policies to ensure they remain current and compliant
• Administer HRIS for all employees in Colorado, including record updates, audits, and reporting
• Identify and recommend process improvements to increase HR efficiency and scalability
• Produce weekly and monthly HR reporting on key metrics, using data to identify trends and share actionable insights
• Support HR due diligence and Day 1 integration planning for M&A transactions, including preliminary people assessments and onboarding coordination
• Lead or contribute to HR special projects locally and at the corporate level as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or Business Administration (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Minimum 5 years of progressive HR experience with a strong generalist foundation in an environment such as distribution or manufacturing
• Working knowledge of federal and multi-state employment laws (FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA, EEO, I-9)
• Demonstrated experience in employee relations, recruiting, onboarding, and compliance
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and HR/timekeeping systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized with solid project and time management skills
• Spanish bilingual preferred

Technologies

• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• UKG
• HRIS
• I-9/E-Verify
• OSHA

Travel and Work Details

• Up to 15% travel
• In-person work location
• Ability to commute to Denver, CO 80216 (required)
• Full-time

Pay and Education

• Salary: USD 65,000 - 80,000 per year
• Experience: Human Resources or related field: 5 years (required)

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Why Work for What Chefs Want!

• Grocery savings (employees get savings on everything carried)
• Flexible schedule (requests for a day off are accommodated when possible)
• Full benefit package available (Health, dental, vision, voluntary benefits)
• Life insurance offered to all employees ($25,000 free of charge)
• 401K plan available (ask for details)
• Family-owned company with a family feel
• Promotion from within (opportunities are available to those who ask)

Preferred Skills and Certifications

• PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent HR certification
• Experience with Kronos or similar workforce management systems
• Experience in a high-growth company or multi-site organization