Director of People & Culture

Overview

The Director of People & Culture serves as the chief human resources executive, responsible for aligning the company's workforce strategy with business goals. This leadership role oversees employee relations, cultural integration, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, succession planning, workforce planning, HR compliance, and coaching for managers. Collaboration is key, particularly with the VP of Business Operations, Finance, and site leaders, to ensure standardized, legally compliant, scalable HR practices consistent with company values.

Core Duties

• Establishing a consistent employee relations framework across all organizational units.
• Defining clear expectations for managers regarding performance management, corrective action, documentation, investigations, and escalation procedures.
• Supporting cultural integration and reinforcing leadership communication during organizational transitions.
• Developing practical succession and leadership growth programs for vital roles.
• Integrating workforce planning with staffing, business priorities, seasonal demands, and organizational structure considerations.
• Reducing VP involvement in routine HR escalations while ensuring executive awareness on critical, high-risk issues.

Key Success Factors

• Leading employee relations strategies including investigations, corrective actions, termination reviews, and escalation protocols.
• Providing coaching to leaders on managing employee performance, documentation, workplace conduct, and resolving conflicts.
• Collaborating with Legal on complex, high-risk, or compliance-sensitive issues when necessary.
• Driving people-centered change management and culture integration initiatives.
• Creating communication materials such as manager talking points, employee FAQs, and messages in partnership with leadership.
• Identifying risks regarding retention, critical roles, and the overall employee experience.
• Developing leadership development, succession planning, talent review, and workforce planning processes.
• Partnering with function leaders on organizational design, clarity of roles, and future structural plans.
• Supporting compensation planning, career path alignment, equity reviews, and role-level recommendations.
• Overseeing HR policies, employee handbook updates, compliance standards, documentation, and audit readiness.
• Aligning HR processes with legal employment requirements and internal controls.
• Coordinating with Business Operations on HRIS systems, payroll, benefits, onboarding, record management, and employee data.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Marketing, or a related field; experience in agriculture is preferred.
• At least 7 years of advancing HR experience encompassing employee relations, compliance, manager coaching, and organizational effectiveness.
• Experience supporting multi-site operations within manufacturing, agriculture, distribution, or similar sectors is strongly preferred.
• Proven skills in managing investigations, corrective actions, performance management, employee communications, and leadership coaching.
• Deep understanding of HR compliance, documentation processes, leave/accommodation coordination, and risk management.
• Capability to design practical HR processes, influence leadership, and manage change in fast-paced environments.

Preferred Experience

• Working knowledge of UKG or equivalent HRIS platforms.
• Bilingual proficiency is a plus.

Work Environment & Conditions

Primarily an office-based role with mostly sedentary work, involving occasional standing and walking (up to 10% of the time). The work environment is comfortable, with adequate lighting and temperature, and no significant hazards such as noise. Typical office equipment includes computers, phones, copiers, and filing systems.

Physical & Communication Requirements

The role requires regular verbal communication, reading, writing, and fluent English proficiency. Physical activities include frequent standing, walking, handling objects, and arm reach.

Schedule

This is a full-time role, Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend work as needed.

Professional Standards

Employees are expected to uphold high professional standards encompassing customer service, ethics, safety, teamwork, accountability, confidentiality, and professionalism.

Travel

Frequent local travel to company locations by vehicle and occasional air travel as required.