Human Resources Director

JOIN WISE SONS!Founded in San Francisco's Mission District, Wise Sons is California-inspired Jewish deli food with roots in tradition and an eye on the future, for Jews who like food and food lovers who like Jews.With five locations across San Francisco and Oakland, and a presence at multiple farmer's markets and grocery stores, we are a growing, nationally-recognized brand. We work hard to keep evolving, commit to quality, prioritize people and most importantly, be a mensch in every sense of the word.SUMMARY:WISE SONS DELI is seeking an experienced, thoughtful, and strategic Director of People to lead the overall people strategy across our restaurants and support teams. This role partners closely with executive leadership to shape and execute HR initiatives that support operational excellence, employee engagement, and long-term growth.This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who understands the realities of restaurant operations, values mentorship and collaboration, and can balance strategic planning with day-to-day execution. Responsibilities include employee relations, labor compliance, talent acquisition, and compensation across multiple locations. You will lead people strategy, focusing on reducing turnover and building culture.This is a full-time salaried position, with great benefits, joining our corporate team and reporting to our CEO. Applicants should be based in the San Francisco Bay Area; travel to each Wise Sons location is necessary, including to locations outside of the Bay Area, when applicable.THE DETAILS:People Strategy & LeadershipLead and execute the company's overall people strategy, aligning HR initiatives with business goals, guest experience, and organizational growthServe as a role model for our Core Values, fostering a culture grounded in integrity, quality, and teamworkCoach managers on performance management and improving employee retentionManage recruitment, including maintaining job descriptions, job posts, reference checks, and offer letters; standardizing onboardingAssist in Org Chart and succession planning in collaboration with the COO and senior leadershipCulture, Engagement & DevelopmentShape and sustain a people-first culture that promotes inclusion, engagement, and growthCoordinate employee engagement initiatives including internal communications and company eventsLead employee retention strategies focused on career development, recognition, and well-beingCompliance, Employee Relations & InfrastructureEnsure compliance with all federal, state, and local labor laws and regulationsEnsuring wage/hour compliance, and safety/sexual harassment trainingLead employee relations efforts, promoting respectful, solution-oriented approaches to workplace challengesEstablish and scale HR systems, processes, and infrastructure to support growth and operational efficiencyOversee HRIS systems, workforce analytics, and reporting to support data-driven decision-makingCompensation and BenefitsManaging bi-weekly companywide payrollPartner with Finance to oversee compensation, benefits, and rewards programsManage relationships with third-party administrators, including workers' compensation, health benefits, and retirement plansOversee safety programs and regulatory compliance in collaboration with Finance and AccountingPERKS WE OFFER YOU:100% paid Employee Medical CareAccess to Dental, Vision, Commuter Benefits, and 401k (with employer match)PTO + Wellness Days; respect for work-life balanceCell Phone reimbursement; Professional development reimbursement programShifts Meals and discounts at all DelisQUALITIES WE ARE SEEKING:4+ years of Senior HR leadership experience, ideally within hospitality and/or service-driven environments.Strong working knowledge of labor compliance, employee relations, and organizational development.Proven ability to build trust and credibility with leaders, managers, and hourly teams; Spanish language skills a plusStrategic, collaborative leadership style with strong execution skills; Ability to align HR initiatives with operational goalsProfessional and motivational leadership skills with the ability to develop people and support excellence in a diverse and fast-paced environmentFamiliarity with HRIS and payroll systems; experience with Paylocity, 7Shifts, and Bswift preferredSolutions focused; self-motivated; positive and humble attitude; disciplined approach to priority setting; easily adapt to changeJewish cuisine represents the culmination of one people's journey across different countries, cultures and time periods. Wise Sons honors that tradition through a dedication to hiring a diverse workforce to help usher in the latest chapter of that story here in California.Wise Sons is an equal opportunity employer. Our zero-tolerance policy means that no form of unlawful discriminatory or harassing conduct towards any employee, client, customer, or vendor in our workplace will be tolerated.We provide competitive compensation packages, inclusive of base pay, incentives, and benefits. The base salary range for this role is $110,000-$140,000. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to performance, level of experience, skills, professional certifications, and specific location.