Position: Director of Human Resources
Company: Omakase Restaurant Group
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA (Corporate office with regular restaurant site visits)
Reports To: Chief Operating Officer
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Compensation: $120,000 - $150,000 per year + Annual Performance Bonus
About the Role
We are looking for a hands-on Director of Human Resources to run our people operations, maintain labor compliance, and support our store teams across all locations. Reporting straight to the Chief Operating Officer, you will work side-by-side with our executive team on company-wide planning while staying directly connected to our General Managers, Chefs, and hourly restaurant crews.
This role is built for someone who knows California employment law inside and out, understands the daily realities of running restaurants, and wants to build practical HR systems as our group expands.
What You'll Do
Compliance & Risk
- Keep every location compliant with federal, California, and local labor rules, including Wage Order 5, meal and rest periods, overtime, tip pools, and local scheduling laws.
- Regularly audit timecards, wage statements, and employee files to spot issues early and protect the business against PAGA, FEHA, and wage claims.
- Act as the lead contact for state and federal labor agencies (such as the EDD and DLSE), working directly with outside counsel on any formal inquiries or audits.
- Handle workers' comp claims, leave requests (CFRA, FMLA, PDL, paid sick leave), and reasonable accommodations, alongside San Francisco ordinances like HCSO.
- Ensure mandatory labor postings, training records, and I-9 files are complete and up to date at all properties.
Employee Relations
- Conduct clear, thorough, and well-documented investigations into staff complaints, conflicts, or harassment allegations.
- Partner with the COO, GMs, and Chefs through performance issues, coaching conversations, progressive discipline, and terminations.
- Ensure corrective action and house rules are handled consistently and fairly across all concepts.
- Support team morale, recognition, and retention efforts across front-of-house and back-of-house staff.
Operations, Systems & Openings
- Keep employee handbooks accurate, adding city- or state-specific supplements whenever we open in new markets.
- Standardize hiring, onboarding, offboarding, and recordkeeping across every restaurant.
- Work with payroll and finance to keep employee records, scheduling, and hours accurate across ADP Workforce Now, Toast, and Teamwork.
- Run HR setup for new restaurant openings, including staffing timelines, initial hiring pushes, and onboarding logistics.
Hiring & Total Rewards
- Work with GMs and Chefs to build sensible recruiting plans for hourly cooks, service staff, and salaried managers.
- Run practical training sessions for store managers covering day-to-day HR basics, California labor laws, and team leadership.
- Oversee company benefit plans, 401(k), open enrollment, and wage reviews with our brokers and executive team.
- Keep the COO and ownership updated on headcount, turnover rates, open claims, and operational risk.
What We're Looking For
Required:
- 5 to 8 years of solid HR experience, including at least 2 to 3 years running an HR department or holding a senior leadership role (Director, Head of HR, or Senior HR Manager).
- Real-world experience in multi-unit restaurants, hospitality, or food and beverage operations.
- Strong, working knowledge of California and federal labor laws (wage and hour rules, PAGA, FEHA, leaves, and break requirements).
- Direct experience running workplace investigations and answering agency audits or wage claims.
- Sound judgment and the ability to give direct, realistic guidance to busy operators and chefs.
- Strong writing and documentation habits.
- A bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or equivalent hands-on experience.
Preferred:
- Conversational or fluent Spanish (Mandarin, Cantonese, or Japanese is also a plus).
- HR credentials such as SHRM-CP/SCP, PHR/SPHR, or PHRca.
- Prior experience supporting restaurant openings or multi-unit expansion.
- Direct hands-on experience with our core tools: ADP Workforce Now, Toast POS/timekeeping, Teamwork scheduling, and Google Workspace.
Benefits & Compensation
- $120,000 to $150,000 base salary, depending on background and experience
- Annual performance bonus
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off (PTO) and paid sick leave
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Employee dining discounts across all Omakase Restaurant Group locations
