HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Ponte Winery

Temecula, CA

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$90,000–$96,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Address Management, Best Practices, Coaching, Corporate Compliance, Corrective Action, Data Quality, Documentation, Employee Relations, Entrepreneurship, FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993), File Maintenance, Financial Control, Financial Management, Hospital, Human Resources, Human Resources Processes, Insurance, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Legal, Onboarding, Operations Management, Payroll Administration, People Management, Policy Development, Problem Solving Skills, Risk Management, Talent Management, Training/Teaching, Worker's Compensation
LOCATION
Temecula, CA
POSTED
30+ days ago

Position Summary

The HR & Talent Operations Manager is responsible for the full execution of Human Resources across all three properties.

This is a hands-on, operational leadership role. The primary responsibility is to protect the company through proactive compliance, disciplined recruiting, consistent documentation, and structured employee relations.

This role requires a seasoned HR professional who has operated in fast-paced hospitality environments and understands both legal exposure and operational realities.

This is not a corporate desk-based policy position.

Compensation: $90,000.00 - $96,000.00 depending on experience

Schedule:

  • Monday - Friday
  • 9:00am-5:30pm

Benefits Per Company Plan Details:

  • Health, Dental & Vision
  • 401K Matching Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Hospital Confinement Plan
  • Pet Insurance
  • 3 weeks of PTO
  • 2 Paid Holidays (Thanksgiving + Christmas) + 6 Floating Holidays
  • The terms and conditions associated with each Benefit are outlined in the Associate Handbook, additional documentation provided by Human Resources, or within the policies of the carriers providing the benefits*

Core Responsibilities

Recruiting & Talent Management

  • Own recruiting for all non-executive roles across three properties

  • Build structured hiring systems and reduce time-to-fill

  • Recruit and vet management-level candidates

  • Develop succession bench for key operational roles

Employee Relations & Risk Management

  • Lead investigations and corrective action processes

  • Distinguish between performance issues, policy violations, and interpersonal friction

  • Coach managers to address issues directly and appropriately

  • Prevent unnecessary escalation of minor disputes

  • Ensure consistent application of policies

Compliance & Documentation

  • Maintain compliant personnel files

  • Oversee wage-hour compliance in California

  • Manage workers' compensation administration

  • Oversee leave administration (FMLA, CFRA, etc.)

  • Ensure termination documentation is defensible

  • Update handbook and HR policies as required

Systems & Structure

  • Install standardized onboarding procedures

  • Implement performance documentation systems

  • Establish clear escalation thresholds

  • Deliver manager training on HR best practices

Scope Clarification

  • Reports directly to the COO

  • Owns day-to-day HR across three properties

  • Does not require owner involvement in routine HR matters

  • Works in coordination with the Controller regarding payroll data accuracy

Payroll processing and financial oversight remain under the Controller.

Required Experience

  • 7-10+ years progressive HR leadership experience

  • Multi-location hospitality, hotel, or restaurant group experience strongly preferred

  • Demonstrated experience handling employee relations matters independently

  • Strong working knowledge of California labor law

  • Experience managing workers comp and leave administration

  • Proven recruiting success at both hourly and management levels

  • Experience operating in founder-led or entrepreneurial environments

What We Are Not Looking For

  • Corporate HR desk-based administrators

  • Policy writers without operational experience

  • Culture-program designers without recruiting and compliance depth

  • Individuals uncomfortable making firm, fact-based decisions

Core Traits

  • Operationally grounded

  • Calm under pressure

  • Structured thinker

  • Direct communicator

  • High documentation discipline

  • Understands that HR's role is to protect the company through lawful, fair, and consistent practices

About the Company

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Ponte Winery