Kia Minnetonka HR Business Partner

Walser Automotive Group; Wayzata (MN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Career growth

Fertility & Adoption Assistance

Health benefits

Life Insurance & 401(k)

Employee Discounts

Employee Resource Groups

Volunteer opportunities

EAP

Referral bonuses

Job summary

Walser Automotive Group in Wayzata, MN, is seeking an HR professional to manage full-cycle recruitment for all store positions and lead scheduling, payroll, and performance processes. You will build a strong talent pipeline, coordinate PTO, and ensure labor standards compliance across multiple stores.

The role requires 3+ years in HR, strong communication, and experience with HRIS/ATS. This onsite position offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package within a

Qualifications

• 3+ years of HR experience in retail or automotive industries.
• Proficiency in recruiting, scheduling, payroll processes, and performance management.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to build relationships and influence managers in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with HRIS, ATS, and workforce management systems.
• Moderate use of Excel for timely reports.

Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle recruitment for all store positions.
• Coordinate structured interview days and tool usage; ensure assessment tools, scoring, and debriefs.
• Gather and deliver timely candidate feedback to hiring teams.
• Generate offer letters and initiate all background checks.
• Maintain a strong talent pipeline aligned with store and business needs.
• Own the PTO bidding process, PTO calendar management, and all time-off tracking.
• Partner with leadership to create and maintain weekly schedules aligned with business needs and labor standards.
• Monitor overtime usage and ensure compliance with company policies and state labor laws.
• Maintain clear communication with employees regarding scheduling expectations and updates.
• Support leaders in enforcing Minimum Standards for performance, behaviors, and attendance.
• Track and manage attendance, including callouts and corrective actions with HR.
• Partner with managers on coaching conversations and performance improvement plans.
• Ensure timely submission of weekly timecards, edits, and approvals.
• Validate SPIFFS and incentive submissions for accuracy; coordinate with payroll.
• Partner with Payroll to resolve discrepancies quickly and maintain pay trust.
• File First Report of Injury (FROI) with the employee, ensuring complete documentation.
• Coordinate incident reporting and return-to-work processes.
• Promote compliance with safety expectations and a proactive culture.
• Generate and distribute weekly people metrics reports for management huddles.
• Coordinate store-level events to promote a positive, inclusive workplace culture.
• Serve as on-site conduit for ERG activities, Foundation/Giving events, and enterprise HR initiatives.
• Align store engagement with Corporate HR strategies.
• Support communications to keep employees informed and recognized.
• Uphold Walser’s Core Values: Do The Right Thing, Lead By Example, Display Positive Energy, Be Open Minded.

Skills

HR experience

Recruiting

Payroll

Performance management

Communication

Organization

Time management

HRIS

ATS

Excel

Tools

HRIS

ATS

Workforce management

Excel

Job description

For more than 70 years, Walser Automotive Group has put people first: our customers, our employees, and our communities. As a family-owned, family-run company, we’ve grown to 29 dealerships representing 26 brands across Minnesota, Kansas, and Illinois.

We lead with innovation, technology, and a promise to deliver an exceptional experience every time.

• And your work here matters: a portion of every vehicle sold and serviced supports the Walser Foundation, investing in schools, nonprofits, and workforce programs in our communities.

At Walser, success starts with people. Join us to build a career where you can grow, belong, and make a real impact.

Compensation: $75,000 - $85,000/year

What You’ll Do:

• Manage full-cycle recruitment for all store positions, including job postings, candidate screening, and scheduling all interviews.
• Coordinate and participate in structured interview days; ensure hiring managers follow all assessment tools, scoring, and debrief processes.
• Gather and deliver timely candidate feedback to hiring teams.
• Generate offer letters and initiate all background checks.
• Maintain a strong talent pipeline aligned with store and business needs.
• Own the PTO bidding process, PTO calendar management, and all timeâoff tracking.
• Partner with leadership to create and maintain weekly schedules aligned with business needs and labor standards.
• Monitor overtime usage and ensure compliance with company policies and state labor laws.
• Maintain clear communication with employees regarding scheduling expectations and updates.
• Support leaders in enforcing Minimum Standards for performance, behaviors, and attendance.
• Track and manage attendance, including callouts, patterns, and corrective action needs by partnering with the Human Resources Manager.
• Partner with managers on coaching conversations, documentation, and performance improvement plans.
• Ensure accurate and timely submission of weekly timecards, edits, and approvals.
• Validate all SPIFFS and incentive submissions for accuracy.
• Partner with Payroll to resolve discrepancies quickly and maintain employee trust in pay accuracy.
• File First Report of Injury (FROI) with the employee, ensuring complete and timely documentation.
• Partner with leadership on incident reporting, follow-up, and return-to-work processes.
• Promote compliance with safety expectations and support a proactive safety culture.
• Generate and distribute weekly people metrics reports for use in daily management huddles, including:
  • Weekly coverage and staffing levels
  • Callouts and attendance trends
  • Upcoming PTO and schedule gaps
  • New hires and onboarding pipeline
  • Turnover and vacancy reporting
• Analyze trends and proactively flag areas requiring leadership attention.
• Coordinate all store-level events designed to promote a positive, engaging, and inclusive workplace culture.
• Serve as the on-site conduit for company-sponsored events, including ERG activities, Foundation/Giving events, and broader enterprise HR initiatives.
• Ensure strong alignment between store engagement efforts and Corporate HR strategies.
• Support communications and logistics to ensure employees are informed, included, and recognized.
• Uphold Walser’s Core Values: Do The Right Thing, Lead By Example, Display Positive Energy, Be Open Minded

What You Bring:

• 3+ years of HR experience preferred; retail or automotive industry exposure strongly valued, focus on business support and maintaining HR focus in a decentralized role
• Proficiency in recruiting, scheduling, payroll processes, and performance management.
• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to build relationships and influence managers in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Experience with HRIS, ATS, and workforce management systems preferred.
• Moderate use of Excel is needed for the maintenance of timely reports and tracking

What’s In It For You?

• Paid Time Off (PTO) – Take time to relax, spend with family, or enjoy personal time away
• Career Growth & Opportunity for Advancement We promote from within and provide clear career paths, mentorship, and opportunities to develop and grow your career.
• Fertility & Adoption Assistance: Receive up to $10,000 in financial assistance for fertility treatments and adoption expenses.
• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to HSA and FSA plans to help manage healthcare costs. Access to Blue Cross Blue Shield medical coverage and access to additional wellness benefits.
• Life Insurance & 401(k) with Employer Match: Plan for your future with company-paid life insurance and a 401(k) program that includes an employer match.
• Paid Clothing Program: Twice a year, choose from a hand-curated collection of branded Walser apparel—on us.
• Employee Discounts: Enjoy exclusive employee discounts across products and services.
• Employee Resource Groups: Connect, learn, and grow with our inclusive Employee Resource Groups, including Women of Walser, Drive with Pride, Asian Hmong Alliance, and Veterans at Walser.
• Community Involvement Make an impact through volunteer opportunities with the Walser Foundation, supporting local causes and giving back to the communities we serve.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Support for personal and professional challenges
• Referral Program – Earn referral bonuses for referring talented candidates

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Walser Automotive Group is an EOE/Veterans/Disabled/LGBTQ+ employer.