People Operations Manager

ZT Automotive Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ZT Automotive Group is seeking a hands-on Manager of Human Resources to lead HR across its dealership network. The role reports to the Chief People Officer and collaborates with the Director of Administration to align people operations with business priorities.

You will oversee HR operations, recruitment, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and employee relations, ensuring policy consistency and regulatory compliance across multiple locations in Texas and beyond.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day human resources operations across ZT Automotive dealerships, ensuring consistent application of HR policies, procedures, and organizational standards.
• Manage the employee lifecycle, including onboarding, employment changes, personnel records, leave administration, and offboarding.
• Partner closely with the Director of Administration to coordinate HR activities, address operational needs, and align personnel practices with dealership and corporate priorities.
• Maintain accurate employee records, HR information systems (HRIS), and personnel documentation, ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and timely updates.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR workflows, standardize procedures, and strengthen operational efficiency across dealership locations.
• Manage recruitment and hiring activities, including job postings, candidate screening, interview coordination, offer preparation, and pre-employment processes.
• Partner with dealership leadership to assess staffing needs, support workforce planning, and facilitate timely hiring decisions.
• Oversee new-hire onboarding and orientation to ensure completion of required documentation, policy acknowledgments, and employment verification.
• Coordinate employee training, professional development, and performance management initiatives to support employee growth and organizational effectiveness.
• Support succession planning, internal mobility, and employee retention efforts in partnership with leadership.
• Oversee payroll administration, including timekeeping, payroll data validation, compensation changes, deductions, and payroll-related adjustments to ensure accurate and timely processing.
• Review payroll records, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate with payroll providers, Finance, and dealership personnel to resolve issues.
• Administer employee benefits programs, including enrollment, eligibility verification, qualifying life events, open enrollment, and employee benefits inquiries.
• Coordinate with benefits brokers, insurance carriers, and external administrators to support plan administration, billing reconciliation, and resolution of coverage issues.
• Support compensation administration, wage and salary adjustments, incentive programs, and related reporting in accordance with established policies and applicable regulations.
• Serve as a primary HR resource for dealership management and employees, providing guidance on workplace policies, employee concerns, and personnel matters.
• Address employee relations issues, conduct workplace investigations, document findings, and recommend appropriate resolutions in consultation with leadership.
• Guide managers through performance evaluations, coaching, corrective actions, disciplinary procedures, and employee separations.
• Promote fair and consistent application of HR policies while supporting a respectful, accountable, and performance-driven workplace culture.
• Partner with dealership leadership to identify employee engagement opportunities, address workplace challenges, and support retention initiatives.
• Ensure HR practices comply with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including wage and hour requirements, leave regulations, anti-discrimination standards, and workplace safety obligations.
• Maintain and implement HR policies, employee handbooks, employment agreements, and required workplace notices, coordinating updates with appropriate stakeholders.
• Oversee employment eligibility verification, required training, personnel documentation, and compliance-related recordkeeping.
• Coordinate workers' compensation matters, employee leave requests, accommodations, and other employment-related processes in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Support internal audits, regulatory inquiries, and employment-related investigations while identifying and escalating potential compliance risks.
• Prepare and maintain HR reports and workforce metrics related to headcount, turnover, recruitment, payroll, benefits, and other key personnel indicators.
• Monitor HR data and operational trends to identify areas for improvement and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Collaborate with the Chief People Officer, Director of Administration, Finance, Legal, and dealership management to support organizational initiatives and resolve cross-functional HR matters.
• Coordinate with external payroll providers, benefits administrators, insurance brokers, and other service partners to ensure effective delivery of HR services.
• Support the implementation of HR systems, process improvements, and organizational initiatives that strengthen consistency, accountability, and the employee experience across ZT Automotive.

Job description

ZT Automotive Group is seeking a hands-on Manager of Human Resources to lead HR across its dealership network. The role reports to the Chief People Officer and collaborates with the Director of Administration to align people operations with business priorities.

You will oversee HR operations, recruitment, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and employee relations, ensuring policy consistency and regulatory compliance across multiple locations in Texas and beyond.