Who Is Cafe Valley?
Since 1987, Cafe Valley has been baking smiles one cupcake, muffin, cake, and croissant at a time—putting care and craftsmanship into every product we make.
Our people are the heart of our success. We’re committed to fostering a positive, team-focused workplace where collaboration, innovation, and respect are part of everyday operations—because the best baked goods come from people who love what they do.
Our employees are our special ingredient. With more than 1,700 team members baking a difference every day, we operate state-of-the-art production facilities in Phoenix, AZ and Marion, IN, where quality, safety, and teamwork rise together.
Who You Are
A hands-on, strategic HR director that drives workforce strategy, employee engagement, compliance, and talent outcomes in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment. You are a leader-of-leaders – owning HR strategy at the site level while remaining deeply connected to day-to-day operations and employee experience.
You know HR well – from employee investigations, talent acquisition, leave of absence administration, to compliance with federal and state employment laws.
Where You Will Work
This is an onsite role based in Phoenix, AZ. You will have a private office that is adjacent to your talented HR team and neighbor to the production team and operations.
What You Will Do
Strategic Leadership & Partnership
- Serve as a strategic business partner to site and corporate leadership, aligning HR strategy with operational and business objectives.
- Act as the senior HR authority for the Phoenix facility, providing insight, guidance, and leadership on all people-related matters.
- Translate business needs into workforce strategies that drive productivity, engagement, retention, and compliance.
People & Culture
- Own and drive the employee engagement strategy, partnering with senior leaders to develop, implement, and measure action plans that improve employee experience and culture.
- Establish and sustain a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement across a diverse, hourly manufacturing workforce.
- Oversee employee feedback mechanisms throughout the employee lifecycle and ensure insights lead to measurable improvements.
Talent & Workforce Management
- Lead workforce planning and staffing strategy to ensure operations are staffed to targeted headcount.
- Direct high-volume hourly hiring as well as full-cycle recruiting for salaried and key skilled roles.
- Ensure effective onboarding, training alignment, and retention strategies are in place to support operational excellence.
Employee Relations & Compliance
- Provide executive oversight of employee relations, investigations, and conflict resolution, ensuring consistency, fairness, and alignment with company values and employment law.
- Coach and guide leaders on performance management, corrective action, ADA, attendance, LOA, and termination decisions.
- Serve as the escalation point for complex or high-risk employee issues and ensure risk is proactively mitigated.
HR Operations & Analytics
- Analyze workforce metrics including turnover, hiring trends, promotions, separations, and complaints; use data to inform decisions and corrective actions.
- Oversee performance review and wage review processes, ensuring equity, consistency, and alignment with business objectives.
- Monitor unemployment claims and lead appeal processes in partnership with leadership.
Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement
- Lead, develop, and mentor the onsite HR team, setting clear expectations and driving high performance.
- Evaluate HR policies, processes, and systems; design and implement improvements that increase efficiency, compliance, and service delivery.
- Ensure HR practices scale effectively with business growth.
Bilingual Support
- Provide Spanish-language leadership and translation support as needed.
What You Need to Be Successful
- Fluency in English and Spanish (written and verbal) required.
- 8+ Years of progressive HR leadership experience, with senior-level responsibility in a high-volume manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Human Resources, or related field required; HR certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP/SCP) preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Demonstrated experience leading HR teams and partnering with senior operations leaders.
- Strong working knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
- Ability to work with or around bakery allergens of all types.
What You'll Enjoy
- Competitive base salary and bonus incentive
- Paid time off programs
- Comprehensive benefit offering including medical, dental, vision, life, disability and ancillary programs.
- Working with a great team of dedicated professionals focused on a common mission!
Cafe Valley is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at all levels of the organization. We encourage applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.
