HR Operations Manager in Vista, California at M2 Ingredients

Why M2 Ingredients?

At M2 Ingredients, we’re on a mission to harness the amazing power of mushrooms for healthier lives. From cultivation and manufacturing to science and innovation, we bring our expertise together to create high-quality functional mushroom ingredients and products.

Our people are at the heart of how we deliver on that mission. We look for individuals who take pride in their work, value different perspectives, and hold themselves accountable for delivering results. If you’re looking for an opportunity to contribute, grow, and make an impact, we’d love to have you join us.

Our Culture is Grounded in Three Core Values

1. Honor Your Commitments We do what we say we will do. We take accountability for our actions, follow clear processes, and treat others with compassion and respect.
2. Seek to Understand We listen before we act. We lead with honesty and transparency, recognize the contributions of others, and approach every interaction with respect and humility.
3. Sweat the Details We believe the details matter. We follow disciplined processes, take pride in our work, and deliver with consistency.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced HR Operations Manager to help drive the day-to-day execution of our people operations at M2 Ingredients.

Working closely with the Senior Director of HR, you'll be a hands-on HR partner to employees and managers across the organization while owning and supporting key HR programs including payroll, HRIS, benefits, leaves of absence, workers' compensation, employee relations, performance management, recruiting, and employment compliance.

This isn't a role where you'll be removed from the day-to-day. You'll be close to the business and our employees solving problems, answering questions, supporting managers, keeping HR processes running accurately, and identifying ways we can operate better.

We're looking for someone with strong HR fundamentals and sound judgment who can independently manage routine HR matters while recognizing when a situation requires additional partnership or escalation.

What You'll Do

• Administer payroll, including employee changes, timekeeping, PTO, payroll inputs, audits, reconciliations, corrections, and employee inquiries.
• Maintain HRIS data, employee transactions, workflows, reporting, and system accuracy.
• Conduct routine audits of payroll, HRIS, employee records, and HR processes to identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate employee records and documentation throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot payroll, HRIS, and timekeeping issues and coordinate with vendors as needed.

• Administer employee benefit programs, including eligibility, enrollments, qualifying life events, reconciliations, COBRA coordination, and annual open enrollment.
• Resolve routine employee benefit questions and administrative issues and coordinate with benefit vendors as needed.
• Administer leaves of absence, including required documentation, notices, tracking, benefit coordination, and return-to-work activities.
• Support workplace accommodation processes in partnership with the Senior Director of HR.
• Manage day-to-day workers' compensation claims, including claim reporting, documentation, carrier communication, work restrictions, and return-to-work coordination.
• Escalate complex, sensitive, or high-risk benefit, leave, accommodation, or workers' compensation matters as appropriate.

• Provide day-to-day HR guidance to employees and managers regarding Company policies, attendance, performance, conduct, and workplace matters.
• Support routine employee relations matters, corrective actions, and performance documentation.
• Conduct fact-finding and routine employee relations investigations, escalating complex, sensitive, or high-risk matters to the Senior Director of HR.
• Administer performance management processes, including timelines, documentation, manager support, and completion tracking.
• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation related to employee relations and performance matters.

• Maintain and administer HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook documentation.
• Support the implementation of new and revised HR policies, procedures, and programs.
• Monitor day-to-day compliance with applicable employment requirements and established Company practices.
• Conduct routine HR audits and maintain required employment records, notices, postings, and compliance documentation.
• Coordinate required HR and employment-related training and maintain appropriate completion records.
• Identify potential compliance gaps or concerns and escalate significant matters to the Senior Director of HR.

• Support recruiting and hiring activities for hourly and salaried positions.
• Partner with hiring managers to support consistent recruiting, selection, and hiring processes.
• Support offer preparation and ensure approved compensation and employment terms are accurately reflected in offer and onboarding documentation.
• Partner with the HR Associate on recruiting coordination, onboarding, employee changes, and offboarding activities.
• Ensure employee lifecycle changes are accurately processed across HRIS, payroll, benefits, and related systems.

• Prepare and maintain recurring HR reporting related to headcount, turnover, recruiting, attendance, payroll, leaves, workers' compensation, and other workforce metrics.
• Monitor HR data and processes for discrepancies, recurring issues, and areas requiring attention.
• Maintain effective day-to-day relationships with HR vendors and service providers and coordinate resolution of operational issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, controls, accuracy, efficiency, and employee service.
• Support HR projects, audits, and initiatives in partnership with the Senior Director of HR.

Who You Are

• You bring 5-7 years of progressive Human Resources experience with broad HR generalist or HR operations responsibilities.
• You hold a current professional HR certification such as PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or an equivalent recognized HR certification.
• You're comfortable supporting both hourly and salaried employee populations.
• You have hands-on experience across payroll, HRIS, benefits administration, leaves of absence, workers' compensation, employee relations, performance management, and employment compliance.
• You have a strong working knowledge of federal and state employment laws and HR compliance requirements.
• You know how to independently handle routine HR matters while recognizing when something needs to be escalated.
• You're comfortable working with HR systems, payroll data, reporting, and an integrated HRIS/payroll platform.
• You're organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• You're approachable and communicate effectively with employees and managers at all levels.
• You understand the importance of confidentiality and use sound judgment when handling sensitive employee matters.
• You're comfortable working in both office and manufacturing environments.
• A bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• California employment law experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing, CPG, food manufacturing, distribution, or a similar operational environment is a plus.

Benefits & Perks

We believe great work happens when people feel supported both professionally and personally. M2 Ingredients offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and continued growth, including:

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with Company Safe Harbor Contribution
• Paid Time Off, paid holidays, floating holiday, and sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Health and Wellness Discounts through LifeMart

M2 Ingredients is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.