Arena Staffing has partnered with a growing hospitality manufacturer in the Vernon, CA area (Los Angeles) that is looking for a HR & Culture Manager to help lead their HR function and drive a floor-first culture refresh. This is a newly created, high-impact role with direct access to executive leadership, real ownership, and the mandate to move quickly.

If you are the kind of HR leader who can run clean payroll in Paychex Flex, coach leaders through the hard stuff, and still bring the energy to rebuild morale and connection across teams, this role will feel like a win.

Why you will want this role (the sizzle)

Here is the “what’s in it for you”:

Industry growth: The hospitality sector continues to expand, and hotels are actively upgrading.
Stable and resilient: Established business with a long track record in a recession-resistant niche.
Big impact, high visibility: You will partner directly with executive leadership and influence the entire organization.
Culture rebuild ownership: Not a “keep the lights on HR” role, you will lead the culture transformation with budget and support.
Hands-on, fast-paced environment: Entrepreneurial mindset, practical decision-making, new ideas welcomed.
Supportive team: Tight-knit, professional workplace where relationships and trust matter.
Real HR scope: Payroll, benefits, compliance, safety, employee relations, internal comms, engagement, all in one seat.
Business size where you matter: Approximately 100 employees in a manufacturing setting.

Role snapshot

Title: Culture and HR Manager (Bilingual English/Spanish)

Location: Near DTLA CA area, on-site 5 days per week

Schedule: Full-time, exempt

Compensation: $80,000 to $110,000 base (DOE), may stretch for the right candidate

Benefits: Medical (50% employer paid), dental, vision, PTO, paid holidays

Pre-employment checks: Background check and drug screen

Your mission

You will lead a floor-first culture rebuild while running excellent HR operations. You will be a visible, trusted presence in the plant and a steady operator behind the scenes.

A strong first 90 days includes:

Building trust through listening tours, consistent floor presence, and clear bilingual communication
Stabilizing HR fundamentals (payroll accuracy, files, audits, compliance cadence)
Launching quick culture wins (recognition, manager rhythms, events)
Delivering a practical Culture Refresh Plan with actions, owners, budget, and KPIs

What you will own

Culture, engagement, and communications

Plan and run inclusive engagement moments and recognition programs
Build manager routines (1:1 cadence, coaching tools, feedback practices)
Drive bilingual internal communications (floor comms, huddles, town halls)

Payroll and HRIS (Paychex Flex)

Own end-to-end payroll including off-cycles, audits, year-end, reporting
Manage timekeeping imports and payroll exports (including GL mapping and audit support where applicable)
Maintain HRIS data integrity and clean processes

Benefits and leaves

Administer benefits (eligibility, enrollments, vendor coordination, open enrollment support)
Manage CFRA, FMLA, PDL, PFL leaves from start to finish with timely notices and documentation
Educate employees and managers with bilingual materials

Safety and workers’ comp

Incident response, claims coordination, modified duty and return-to-work
Maintain OSHA logs and support WVPP documentation and training cadence

Compliance and employee relations

CA-focused handbook and policy updates, postings, training cadence, recordkeeping
Investigations, corrective action coaching, conflict resolution with consistent documentation
I-9 and personnel file audits and ongoing compliance calendar ownership

Must-have requirements

Bilingual English/Spanish, strong floor presence, clear written communication
5 to 7+ years HR generalist or HR manager experience in manufacturing or light industrial (or closely similar)
Hands-on Paychex Flex payroll ownership (1 to 2+ years), including off-cycles, audits, year-end, reporting, and timekeeping inputs
Working knowledge of California employment law (wage and hour, meal and rest, leaves, separations)
Safety and workers’ comp experience (incident response, modified duty and return-to-work, carrier coordination)
Proven ability to run clean HR operations (payroll accuracy, benefits admin, I-9 and files, compliance calendars)
Strong emotional intelligence, conflict resolution skills, and ability to influence at all levels

Nice-to-have requirements

SHRM-CP, PHR, or equivalent
HRIS cleanup or implementation experience
Bilingual policy and training facilitation experience
Background supporting hospitality, custom manufacturing, or project-based operations

Interview process (confidential client)

Round 1: Virtual interview (30 to 45 minutes) with executive leadership

Round 2: On-site panel interview (approximately 1.5 hours) with executive leadership and finance partner

Technical focus areas may include:

Bilingual Spanish capability and floor communication style
Comfort leading a culture rebuild in a manufacturing environment
End-to-end Paychex Flex payroll ownership
Leaves administration (CFRA, FMLA, PDL, PFL)
I-9 and personnel file audit experience in California
OSHA logs, workers’ comp, and WVPP rollout experience
CA compliance updates such as SB 848 reproductive loss leave and SB 1345 pay data reporting

Compliance statement

Arena Staffing and our client are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We comply with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including California requirements related to pay scale disclosures, paid sick leave, leave administration, workplace safety, workplace violence prevention planning and training, and required reporting and recordkeeping. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process.

If you want, I can also produce a tighter “LinkedIn style” version (short, punchy, high conversion) and a longer “Indeed style” version (more detail, more keywords) using the same confidential framing.

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Culture & HR Manager