People Operations Manager

About the position

The People Operations Manager reports to the President/COO and ensures the smooth execution of HR functions across the Craft Ohana team. This role manages full-cycle payroll processing, benefits administration, HR compliance, and employee support. As the People Operations Manager, you will collaborate with managers and employees to enhance operational efficiency and foster a positive, values-driven workplace culture. This role collaborates on talent acquisition, onboarding, leave management, and performance programs. Candidates must share Craft ‘Ohana’s commitment to its four operating pillars: Quality of Products, Quality of Life, Quality of Business Practices, and Quality of Manufacturing Operations.

Responsibilities

• Own and process biweekly payroll for all employees using Paylocity, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Serve as the primary HR contact for the Craft Ohana team, both onsite and remote.
• Maintain accurate employee records and ensure timely updates in HRIS (Paylocity).
• Partner with managers to coordinate recruiting logistics, onboarding, and offboarding.
• Guide employees and managers through leave of absence processes, including disability, FMLA, and workers’ compensation.
• Administer benefit enrollments, changes, and audits; lead open enrollment efforts.
• Respond promptly to employee inquiries regarding payroll, benefits, time off, and policies.
• Ensure compliance with federal and Hawaii labor laws while tracking multi-state considerations (e.g., CA, AZ, WA).
• Support and document employee relations conversations in partnership with the President/COO.
• Organize and coordinate training logistics while supporting employee development initiatives.
• Track and analyze HR data, generate reports, and recommend process improvements.
• Collaborate on policy updates and internal communications to keep employees informed.
• Plan and support employee engagement activities and events to strengthen company culture.
• Maintain OSHA logs and ensure all safety and compliance documentation is current.
• Partner with external legal counsel and HR consultants to address compliance matters.
• Perform other HR-related duties as assigned to support business needs.
• Be a team player and able to interact with all levels within the organization.
• Adhere to and enforce all applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Other company tasks as needed.

Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Able to pass a post-offer, pre-employment background check.
• 2–4 years of HR or People Operations experience.
• Proficiency with Paylocity or similar HRIS/payroll systems.
• Strong understanding of payroll processes, tax regulations, and employee compensation.
• Knowledge of Hawaii employment laws; multi-state experience (especially CA) is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
• Friendly, approachable, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Experience supporting hourly and exempt employees in hospitality, production, or similar environments is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a passion for employee engagement and culture-building.
• Proactive approach with a desire to take initiative and continuously improve processes.
• Must adhere to the company’s policies and procedures.

Benefits

• Equal Employment Opportunity