Senior Human Resources Generalist (San Diego)

Location: San Diego, CA

Department: Human Resources

Reports To: Director of Human Resources

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Experience Required: 5-7 years of progressive HR generalist experience, including hands-on payroll and benefits administration

Compensation: $90,000-$120,000 annually, depending on experience

Company Overview: Our client is a growing food ingredient manufacturer serving customers across the food, beverage, wellness, and consumer products industries. With operations spanning office and production environments, the company is focused on quality, operational excellence, and continued growth. As the organization expands, they are seeking a Senior HR Generalist to serve as a key member of the Human Resources team. This individual will own a broad range of HR responsibilities, including payroll, benefits administration, employee relations, compliance, and HR operations while partnering closely with both corporate and manufacturing leaders.

Position Summary: The Senior HR Generalist is a hands-on HR professional responsible for supporting the full employee lifecycle across office and manufacturing populations. This role serves as a trusted resource to employees and managers while ensuring the organization maintains compliant, effective, and employee-focused HR practices. The ideal candidate brings strong payroll and benefits administration experience, knowledge of California employment law, and the ability to balance strategic HR initiatives with day-to-day operational responsibilities.

Payroll & Benefits Administration: Process full-cycle payroll for hourly and salaried employees, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. Administer health, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement benefit programs. Manage benefit enrollments, eligibility changes, terminations, and employee inquiries. Coordinate annual open enrollment and serve as the primary point of contact for benefit vendors and escalations. Maintain accurate payroll and benefits records within HRIS and payroll systems.

Employee Relations & HR Operations: Support the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, performance management, disciplinary actions, and offboarding. Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on workplace concerns, policies, and employee relations matters. Investigate and resolve employee issues in a fair, timely, and confidential manner. Assist with recruiting coordination and workforce planning activities as needed.

Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with California and federal employment laws, including wage and hour regulations, leave administration, and employee recordkeeping requirements. Administer leaves of absence, including FMLA, CFRA, ADA accommodations, pregnancy disability leave, and related programs. Manage workers' compensation claims and coordinate with external vendors and insurance partners. Maintain HR policies, procedures, and employee handbook content to ensure legal compliance and operational effectiveness.

Manufacturing Workforce Support: Partner with production and operations leaders on employee relations, staffing, retention, and workforce planning initiatives. Support safety programs, training initiatives, and compliance efforts within a manufacturing environment. Provide HR support to both office and production employees, helping foster a positive and high-performing workplace culture.

Reporting & Administration: Maintain employee personnel files and HR records. Generate HR metrics and reports related to headcount, turnover, attendance, benefits, and workforce trends. Support HR projects and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).5-7 years of progressive Human Resources experience in an HR Generalist or similar role. Demonstrated experience processing payroll and administering employee benefits programs. Strong understanding of California labor laws and federal employment regulations. Experience managing employee relations matters and advising managers. Hands-on experience with HRIS and payroll systems such as ADP Workforce Now, Paylocity, Paychex, UKG, Gusto, or similar platforms. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and discretion. Strong organizational and multitasking skills in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications: PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification. Experience supporting manufacturing, production, warehouse, or industrial environments. Experience within food, beverage, ingredient manufacturing, consumer products, or related industries. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. Familiarity with GMP, food safety, or other regulated manufacturing environments.

Work Environment: This position is based on-site on a hybrid basis and requires regular interaction with both office and production employees. The role involves occasional time spent on the production floor and adherence to applicable safety procedures and PPE requirements.

Base salary: $90,000-$120,000, depending on experience

About the Opportunity: This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who enjoys balancing strategic partnership with hands-on execution. The role offers broad exposure across payroll, benefits, employee relations, compliance, and manufacturing workforce support within a growing organization.