Human Resources Generalist

Job Title: HR Generalist

Location: Hybrid – Castro Valley, CA (preferred); remote within California considered

Reports to: Controller

Company: SBI-WY, LLC (Supercuts Franchisee)

Pay Range: $28.85 – $33.65 per hour (approx. $60,000 – $70,000 annually)

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Position Summary

SBI-WY, LLC is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented HR Generalist to serve as the day-to-day HR point of contact for a multi-state workforce of 300+ employees across salon locations in California and Arizona. Working closely with and trained by the company’s HR leadership, the HR Generalist will handle day-to-day HR operations, including onboarding and offboarding, employee documentation, payroll and timekeeping support, benefits, leave of absence and workers’ compensation administration, employee relations, and HR records, and will support salon leaders and managers with timely, consistent guidance. Complex or high-risk matters, including accommodation decisions, investigations, and involuntary separations, are escalated to HR leadership, the President/Owner, and the company’s outside HR consultant and legal counsel, as appropriate.

The ideal candidate is coachable, highly organized, and detail-oriented, fits well with our company culture, and works effectively with salon leaders and teams. This is an excellent opportunity for an HR professional who wants hands-on training in a fast-paced, multi-location environment and is ready to grow into broader ownership of HR operations over time. We welcome candidates earlier in their HR careers who demonstrate sound judgment, a positive attitude, and the ability to grow into the role.

This position is preferably based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with the ability to work on-site at our Castro Valley office at least one day per week. Qualified candidates located elsewhere in California are encouraged to apply and may be considered for a fully remote arrangement.

Key Responsibilities

Wage & Hour Compliance

·       Apply working knowledge of California wage and hour laws, including meal/rest breaks, daily and weekly overtime, split shifts, and premium pay, to answer manager and employee questions, escalating complex issues as needed

·       Review timekeeping records for missing punches, discrepancies, and potential meal/rest period issues; follow up with salon managers on corrections; and partner with the third-party payroll provider to review payroll records and wage statements for accuracy and compliance (including local ordinances such as West Hollywood)

·       Identify and escalate potential compliance risks, such as missed meal/rest premiums, final pay timing, or recordkeeping gaps, to leadership and the company’s HR consultant

·       Help ensure HR practices comply with federal, state, and local employment regulations, including required postings and employee notices

Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations

·       Serve as the first point of contact for routine employee and manager HR questions and employee relations issues across salon locations, including monitoring and responding to the HR inbox

·       Assist with workplace investigations into employee complaints and policy violations, including scheduling, note-taking, and documentation, and conduct routine investigations as experience develops; complex or high-risk matters, such as harassment and discrimination claims, are led or directed by HR leadership, the company’s HR consultant, or legal counsel

·       Advise managers on routine employee relations handling, documentation, and performance management practices, and prepare counseling and written warning documents for management review

·       Maintain accurate documentation to support fair and compliant resolution of workplace issues. 

Leave of Absence & Workers’ Compensation Administration

·       Administer leave programs, including FMLA, CFRA, PDL, and other applicable state/local leaves, from initial request through return to work, including notices, certifications, tracking, and benefits coordination; escalate eligibility questions and accommodation decisions to HR leadership

·       Coordinate workers’ compensation claims with the broker, carrier/adjuster, and managers, including timely claim reporting and return-to-work follow-up

·       Ensure timely and compliant documentation, communication, and tracking of all leave and return-to-work processes

Talent Acquisition & Employee Lifecycle

·       Coordinate end-to-end recruitment, including maintaining job descriptions, posting jobs, screening candidates, scheduling interviews, and coordinating offers

·       Partner with managers to understand hiring needs and support timely hiring

·       Manage onboarding within Paylocity and Zoho Sign, ensuring offer letters, new hire paperwork, and all required new hire notices are complete, signed, and compliant

·       Coordinate offboarding processes, including final pay calculations and timing with payroll (including PTO payouts and tip card payments), required separation notices, COBRA notifications, and documentation; escalate involuntary separations and final-pay concerns to HR leadership

HR Systems, Benefits & Reporting

·       Maintain and audit employee data within Paylocity to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.

·       Administer employee benefits, including annual open enrollment, new hire enrollments, life event changes, and eligibility tracking; serve as the employee contact for health, dental, vision, retirement, and ancillary benefit questions and coordinate with the benefits broker and carriers

·       Assist with periodic reviews of job classifications, compensation data, and HR records

·       Prepare HR reports and support HR-related audits, including the annual 401(k) audit

Policy Implementation & Training

·       Support the rollout, communication, and enforcement of company policies and programs.

·       Coordinate and, as experience develops, deliver training for managers and employees on key HR topics, including harassment prevention, IIPP, Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP), leaves of absence, and wage & hour practices; track completion of required training

·       Identify common manager questions and help develop practical tools, templates, and guidance

·       Other duties, as assigned

Required Qualifications

Experience

·       2+ years of HR experience supporting multiple HR functions (generalist experience preferred); multi-location or field-based environment preferred. Candidates with less experience who demonstrate strong judgment, coachability, and the ability to grow into the role will be considered

·       Working knowledge of federal and California employment laws; Arizona knowledge a plus

·       Exposure to employee relations matters; experience assisting with workplace investigations a plus

·       Exposure to leave of absence and workers’ compensation administration preferred

·       Experience supporting hourly, non-exempt workforces (retail, hospitality, or salon industry experience preferred).

·       Hands-on experience with HRIS and payroll systems (Paylocity preferred).

·       Strong documentation, attention to detail, organizational, and communication skills.

·       Ability to independently prioritize and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment, and to recognize when an issue should be escalated

Knowledge & Skills

·       Understanding of California leave laws (e.g., CFRA, PDL) and wage and hour requirements for non-exempt employees

·       Ability to handle sensitive employee relations matters with professionalism, objectivity, and discretion

·       Strong organizational skills and follow-through, with the ability to manage a high volume of transactional work accurately

·       Sound judgment, including knowing when to escalate issues to HR leadership or outside resources

·       Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build credibility with and support frontline managers

·       Coachable and receptive to feedback, with a collaborative approach that fits a team-oriented, salon-focused culture

Technical Proficiency

·       Hands-on experience with HRIS and payroll systems; Paylocity preferred

·       Experience reviewing timecards, payroll records, or wage statements for accuracy

·       Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook); experience with Zoho Sign or similar e-signature tools and salon or retail systems (e.g., Zenoti) is a plus

Education & Certifications

·       Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

·       HR certification (aPHR, PHR, SHRM-CP, or equivalent) a plus

Additional Requirements

• Must reside in California; Bay Area location strongly preferred
• Bay Area–based candidates: ability to work on-site at the Castro Valley office at least one day per week
• Ability to travel to salon locations as needed (Northern California, Southern California, and Arizona)
• This is a non-exempt, hourly position; must accurately record all time worked, take compliant meal and rest periods, and obtain advance approval for any overtime
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion

Physical Job Description:

Typical Working Conditions:

•  The employee primarily works remotely from a home office or other approved work location, utilizing computer systems, video conferencing platforms, and other standard office equipment.

•  The position requires occasional travel to salon locations, meetings, training events, recruiting functions, and other business-related activities. During site visits, the employee may be exposed to typical salon conditions, including moderate noise levels, hair care products, chemical odors, airborne particles, and wet or slippery surfaces.

•  The employee may work in a variety of environments, including office settings, salon locations, training facilities, and event venues. Work may occasionally be performed indoors and outdoors.

•  The noise level in the work environment is generally low to moderate, depending on the work location.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work, attending virtual meetings, and completing administrative tasks.

• Ability to use a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other standard office equipment for prolonged periods.

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual communication platforms.

• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and move throughout salon locations, offices, and event venues.

• Ability to travel locally and occasionally outside the local area as business needs require.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull files, office supplies, training materials, and other work-related items weighing up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis.

• Ability to maintain manual dexterity sufficient to operate computers, mobile devices, and other office equipment.

• Ability to move between work locations and navigate typical workplace environments safely and effectively.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.