Manager, People Operations (HR)

Ace Hardware Corporation; Cumming (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ace Hardware Corporation is seeking a_Manager, People Operations_ to lead end-to-end human resources across multiple states. You will partner with executive leadership to drive HR strategies, oversee compensation, benefits, HRIS, and compliance, and guide organizational development.

The role emphasizes scalable processes, employee experience, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate has 8+ years of HR experience, strong leadership and data analytics skills, and a track record in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.
• SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or PHR/SPHR preferred.
• 8+ years progressive HR experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop annual People Operations roadmap and translate business goals into HR initiatives.
• Oversee onboarding, benefits, payroll, HRIS, and HR administration across multi-state locations.
• Lead employee relations investigations, compliance programs, and risk management.
• Drive compensation, benefits, and total rewards, including merit planning and pay equity reviews.
• Manage HR systems, digital transformation, and process automation.
• Lead leadership development, onboarding standardization, and succession planning.
• Maintain HR policies, handbook, and operational workflows.
• Coach managers on people leadership and build cross-functional partnerships.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Business/Organizational Development

SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP/PHR-SPHR preferred

Tools

ADP Workforce Now

Microsoft Excel (Advanced)

HR Analytics

HRIS Administration

Payroll Administration

Job description

Manager, People Operations

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Position Summary

The Manager, People Operations is responsible for leading the end-to-end people operations function across a multi-state retail organization. This role develops and executes HR strategies that improve operational excellence, employee experience, compliance, workforce capability, and business performance.

The position serves as a business partner to executive leadership while owning HR operations, employee relations, compensation, compliance, organizational development, HR technology, acquisitions, and continuous process improvement.

This role is accountable for ensuring scalable HR processes that enable the business to grow while maintaining legal compliance, operational consistency, and an exceptional employee experience.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Develop annual People Operations roadmap.
• Translate business goals into HR initiatives.
• Build scalable HR infrastructure.
• Drive organizational effectiveness.
• Lead change management initiatives.
• Serve as HR advisor to senior leadership.

HR Operations

Provide strategic oversight for all HR operations including:

• Employee lifecycle management
• Onboarding
• Offboarding
• HR Shared Services
• HR administration
• Payroll coordination
• Benefits administration
• HRIS administration
• Personnel records
• Policy administration

Ensure operational excellence across multiple states and locations.

Employee Relations

Lead complex employee relations matters including:

• Workplace investigations
• Harassment investigations
• Ethics complaints
• Performance management
• Corrective action
• Terminations
• Conflict resolution
• Manager coaching
• Legal risk assessments

Partner with legal counsel when appropriate.

Compliance & Risk Management

Own compliance across all operating states.

Responsibilities include:

• FLSA
• ADA
• FMLA
• EEOC
• OSHA
• Workers' Compensation
• Unemployment claims
• Wage and Hour compliance
• State employment laws
• Handbook compliance
• Policy governance
• HR audit readiness

Develop preventive compliance programs rather than reactive solutions.

Compensation & Total Rewards

Lead:

• Market benchmarking
• Merit planning
• Bonus administration
• Pay equity reviews
• Compensation analysis
• Offer recommendations

Support executive compensation decisions with market intelligence and workforce analytics.

Benefits Administration

Provide strategic oversight of:

• Open Enrollment
• Benefit plan administration
• Vendor management
• Employee communications
• Leave administration
• Retirement plans
• Benefit compliance

Partner with external brokers and vendors to improve employee experience.

HR Systems & Digital Transformation

Serve as functional owner for HR technology including:

• ADP Workforce Now
• Timekeeping systems
• HR workflows
• Digital forms
• Electronic signatures
• Ticketing systems
• Reporting platforms
• Automation initiatives

Drive continuous improvement through technology adoption and process automation.

Learning & Organizational Development

Lead development of leadership capability by:

• Building operational SOPs
• Standardizing onboarding
• Creating HR training
• Supporting succession planning
• Driving organizational capability

Build scalable learning programs that improve operational execution.

Policies & Process Excellence

Own development and maintenance of:

• Employee Handbook
• HR policies
• Standard Operating Procedures
• HR forms
• Compliance documentation
• Operational workflows

Continuously simplify and standardize HR processes.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead HR Operations strategy.
• Coach managers on people leadership.
• Influence organizational culture.
• Drive accountability across the organization.
• Establish HR governance standards.
• Build cross-functional partnerships.
• Manage external HR vendors and consultants.
• Lead cross-functional HR projects.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or related field.

SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or PHR/SPHR preferred.

Experience

• 8+ years progressive HR experience.
• 5+ years in HR leadership.
• Multi-state employment law expertise.
• Retail or multi-location operations experience.
• HRIS implementation and optimization.
• Compensation and benefits administration.
• Employee relations investigations.
• Organizational development.
• HR analytics and workforce planning.
• Project management and change management.

Technical Expertise

• ADP Workforce Now
• Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
• HR Analytics
• HRIS Administration
• Payroll Administration
• Benefits Administration
• HR Compliance
• Data Visualization
• AI-enabled HR Operations
• Process Automation

Success Measures

The Manager, People Operations will be evaluated on:

• Turnover reduction
• Time-to-fill critical positions
• Employee engagement and retention
• Payroll accuracy
• HR compliance audit results
• Benefits administration accuracy
• HR service delivery metrics
• Manager satisfaction
• HR process efficiency
• Automation adoption
• Leadership capability development
• Workforce analytics quality
• Successful acquisition integrations
• Reduction in employment-related risk
• Alignment of HR initiatives with business objectives

Company Introduction

We are your local hardware store and we are a part of your community. Ace Hardware has over 5,000 stores around the world with the majority of those stores independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs. These hard working men and women are part of the fabric of your community. They are small business owners who are local and loyal...just like it ought to be. While others have become large and impersonal, at Ace, we've remained small and very personal. That's why we say a visit to Ace, is like a visit to your neighbor.