Manager, Field HR in Chicago, Illinois at Potbelly Corporate

Job Title: Field Human Resources Manager

Department/Function: Human Resources

Location: Field-based

Reports to: Director, Field Human Resources

Job Level 2

Job Band Manager

Full-Time – Exempt

Travel Requirements: Moderately

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Field Human Resources Manager is a key member of the Field Human Resources Support team. They are responsible for achieving great people results in retention, internal selection and development, staffing, cultural leadership, and execution of Human Resources initiatives at the highest level. They will serve as key thought partners and trusted advisers to the Operations Team to achieve great People results. The Field Human Resources Manager supports succession development and planning, is operations focused and leads as a Champion of the Potbelly Way culture. They will bring positive energy, fun, and friendliness to the role, utilizing strong interpersonal skills, positive energy, strong communication skills, coaching skills, accountability, and relationship building. They are accountable for elevating leadership at all levels in support of setting and maintaining a high bar of performance. They will provide feedback to help shape HR processes, policies, and procedures, including, but not limited to, annual performance appraisals, documentation, legal compliance, and employee relations matters. Success for this position will be measured by goals for turnover, trends of employee relations matters being handled timely and effectively, and succession bench results.

FOCUS

Staffing/Selection

• Understands the staffing needs of their field regional teams. Responsible for demonstrating and maintaining high standards for candidate selection. Coaches and advises managers on appropriate staffing models.
• Partners with the Talent Acquisition team to share/transfer information regarding external/internal staffing needs.
• Participates in our internal selection process. ).
• Coaches Managers on talent identification and selection

Bench

• Drives succession development and planning. Participates in Quarterly Regional People Calls and monthly Regional meetings to assess capabilities and understand development and growth needs.
• Drives the internal management development process. Partners on the people support for all field management.

Retention

• Analyzes turnover at all levels on a monthly and quarterly basis and drives retention efforts through direct coaching for the field.
• Analyzes employee engagement survey data and makes recommendations to the management team for action plans that drive continuous improvement in the operation.
• Works closely with the Talent Acquisition and Training teams to support excellence in the Potbelly employee experience throughout the entire employment lifecycle.

Employee Relations

• Serves as a strategic adviser and coach to the General Managers, District Managers, and Regional Directors on employee relations issues including employee development, performance management, employee morale, and conflict resolution.
• Builds collaborative and productive working relationships with Operations and Support Center teams.
• Leads with integrity, respect, high personal standards, and personal credibility.
• Manages and responds to employee relations issues to avoid risk and litigation.
• Monitors, audits, and investigates HR related matters and regulations including, but not limited to harassment, discrimination, ADA, FLMA, Wage & Hour, EEOC, DOL, etc.
• Proactively helps balance risk, considering employee, business, and company perspectives.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS

• Must have the ability/stamina to work a minimum of 50 hours a week.
• Must have a strong work ethic and sense of urgency.
• Will spend up to 30% of time in shop, including travel.
• Will frequently reach, feel, bend, stoop, carry, finely manipulate, and key in data.
• Must be able to work in both warm and cool environments, indoors and outdoors.
• Must be able to tolerate potential allergens: peanut products, eggs, dairy, gluten, soy, seafood, and shellfish.
• Must be able to engage in problem-solving skills to help identify and solve potential issues in the field.
• Must be able to proactively communicate heavily with Operations employees and Support Center through telephone, e-mail and in-person communications.
• Must be able to manage calmly in a fast-paced and potentially stressful environment.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND BEHAVIORS

• Must represent The Potbelly Way mission, vision and values.
• BA/BS degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of five years of progressive HR experience, including at least 2 years as a Human Resources Manager or in a strategic HR role.
• PHR or SPHR certification a plus.
• Multi-unit, multi-state experience in restaurant or retail industry desired.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Has ability and credibility to coach and develop leaders.
• High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Well organized and detail oriented with excellent documentation abilities.
• Detailed fact finding for employee relation matters and follow through to resolution.
• Effective leader that can influence people at all levels of the organization.
• Prefer to be based in the Chicago Metro or Washington, DC Metro areas. Will consider other locations accordingly.

Potbelly actively creates and promotes an environment that is inclusive of all people and their unique abilities, strengths, and differences. We respect and embrace diversity in each other, our customers, suppliers, and all others with whom we interact as an essential component in the way we do business. Diversity only strengthens our Potbelly vibe, who we are, and how we work.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. Each applicant will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted by [8/31/2026] to be considered for this position. The posting may close earlier if a suitable candidate is selected before the deadline.