Human Resource Manager in Irvine, California at Trust Auto Group

Trust Automotive Group is seeking a motivated Human Resources Generalist / Developmental HR Manager to support our dealership locations in the Riverside and Orange County Area. This opportunity is designed for an HR professional with foundational California employment knowledge and hands-on experience supporting recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, timekeeping, benefits, leave administration, training, and employee records. Reporting to the Corporate Human Resources Director, the position will provide day-to-day HR support, assist with more complex employee matters, and continue developing toward broader HR management responsibilities.

We offer competitive compensation, a collaborative work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Competitive salary, based on experience and qualifications
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Supplemental insurance options

The Human Resources Generalist / Developmental HR Manager supports day-to-day HR operations across assigned California dealership locations. The role responds to routine employee and manager questions, coordinates recruiting and onboarding, maintains HR and timekeeping records, assists with benefits and leave administration, and supports employee relations documentation and workplace investigations under the guidance of the Corporate Human Resources Director. This position has no direct reports and is expected to manage assigned work independently while escalating complex, sensitive, or high-risk matters.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of HR, recruiting, payroll, timekeeping, benefits, administrative, or related experience.
• Working knowledge of California employment practices, including meal and rest periods, timekeeping, employee records, protected leaves, and anti-discrimination requirements.
• Experience supporting routine employee relations matters, performance documentation, onboarding, benefits, and leave administration.
• Experience in an automotive dealership, retail, hospitality, or other fast-paced, multi-location environment preferred.
• Ability to follow established HR procedures, identify issues that require escalation, and prepare accurate, professional documentation.
• Proficiency with HRIS or payroll systems; ADP Workforce Now experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn new systems.
• Strong communication, organization, attention to detail, judgment, and confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and travel regularly among Southern California dealership locations.
• Bilingual skills preferred but not required.
• Ability to successfully complete applicable pre-employment requirements, which may include a background check, motor vehicle record review, and drug screening, subject to applicable law.

Essential Duties:

• Provide day-to-day HR support to employees and managers regarding company policies, HR processes, benefits, timekeeping, and workplace questions.
• Coordinate job postings, applicant screening, interview scheduling, offer preparation, pre-employment requirements, onboarding, orientation, transfers, and offboarding.
• Assist the Corporate Human Resources Director with employee relations matters, workplace investigations, corrective action, performance documentation, and terminations.
• Gather relevant information, prepare clear documentation, and promptly escalate complex, sensitive, or high-risk employee matters.
• Support compliance with California and federal employment requirements, including timekeeping, meal and rest periods, protected leaves, reasonable accommodations, recordkeeping, required notices, and training.
• Coordinate employee leaves of absence, including CFRA, FMLA, Pregnancy Disability Leave, Paid Sick Leave, and other applicable leave requirements, with guidance as needed.
• Assist managers and Corporate HR Director with routine performance and attendance documentation using established company procedures and templates.
• Support payroll and timekeeping processes, review records for accuracy, follow up on discrepancies, and respond to routine employee questions.
• Assist with benefits administration, new-hire enrollment, qualifying life events, open enrollment, and employee communications.
• Maintain accurate employee data in ADP Workforce Now, including new hires, status changes, terminations, and routine reports.
• Maintain personnel files, leave records, investigation documents, payroll-related information, benefits records, and other confidential HR documentation.
• Assist with employee communications, policy acknowledgments, required postings, training coordination, compliance audits, and special HR projects.
• Build effective working relationships with dealership managers and employees while maintaining professionalism, consistency, and confidentiality.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Salary Range: $71,000–$85,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications

Type: Full-Time, Salaried

Work Location: This is an on-site position; remote work is not available.

Apply today to build your HR career with a growing dealership group that offers broad hands-on experience, professional development, and opportunities to expand your California HR knowledge.

Trust Automotive Group is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.