Human Resources Manager

Job Description

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products (www.darwinspet.com) has a new full-time opportunity for an experienced Human Resources Manager to join our team.

Join our growing national E-commerce company where you can use your organizational and people skills to have a real impact on the culture and productivity of our employees and business.

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products makes high quality, premium raw dog and cat food and delivers it directly to pet owners around the U.S. Our growing business started 17 years ago and is a combination of both manufacturing and direct-to-consumer retailing with a strong online subscription focus. If you like pets and people, we’d like to meet you!

This position is based in our Tukwila Corporate Office. After successful integration into the Darwin’s team, the option to work remotely on a periodic basis may become available.

Darwin’s Natural Pet Products offers many benefits to its full-time employees, which currently include:

• 5% Company Contribution to 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan whether you contribute or not!
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible remote working opportunities for select positions
• 6 paid holidays (including 2 flex days)
• Free pet food for your dogs and/or cats monthly
• Company activities include family events, periodic lunches and offsite team building exercises
  
  

As our Human Resources Manager, you will work with our outsourced HR Partner and serve as the primary point of contact for our 85-strong employee base regarding all HR matters. Your hands-on approach will be crucial in propelling the company's mission forward and enhancing overall employee satisfaction. In this role, you will be the key liaison for implementing and upholding the Company’s policies, procedures, performance management standards, investigations, recruitment processes, and legal compliance protocols for Darwin’s. Additionally, you will function as a strategic ally to senior management, ensuring that HR strategies are aligned with the organization's objectives, all while nurturing the well-being and professional development of our employees.

This position is also responsible for developing internal communications and recognition programs and coordinating company events that will support and enhance overall employee engagement

The ideal candidate will have a background in human resources and enjoy working with diverse groups of people. This position will report directly to the Director of Finance working in conjunction with the COO.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

General HR

• Create and administer human resources programs, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor compliance and consult with legal counsel and HR partners to develop programs, update internal HR manuals (Employee Handbook) and ensure company policies, procedures, and reporting comply with applicable labor, federal and state laws, regulations and recommended best practices.
• Maintain company organization charts and manage employee directories.
• Maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law with HR partner assistance.
• Respond to HR-related inquiries from external parties, such as government agencies or legal counsel.
• Performs other duties as needed and/or assigned.
  
  

Employee Experience

• Develop and oversee the company newsletter, coordinating with directors for input and ensuring distribution to all employees.
• Own the development and implementation of employee communications, recognition programs, events, and other initiatives to maximize employee engagement.
• Organize company-wide events and projects aimed at fostering organizational culture development, such as the Annual Holiday Party.
• Support Darwin’s Safety Committee in implementing and enforcing safety policies and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
  
  

Employee Relations

• Collaborate with management and HR partners to address complex or sensitive employment issues, ensuring appropriate resolution and adherence to company policies and legal standards.
• Conduct investigations into employee complaints or allegations of misconduct, ensuring thoroughness, impartiality, and adherence to due process principles.
• Provide coaching and guidance to managers and supervisors on employee relations matters, including performance management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary procedures.
• Manage employee documentation, including contracts, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and other personnel records, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with company policies and legal requirements.
• Respond to employment-related inquiries from applicants, employees, and supervisors in a timely and professional manner, providing guidance and support as needed.
• Partner and may serve as back up to Payroll Administrator to ensure accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payroll.
• Assist in the administration of health and welfare, retirement, and leave benefit programs.
  
  

Recruitment

• Develops, coordinates, and monitors the company recruitment process for effectiveness.
• Ensure job descriptions are up to date and compliant with all local, state, and federal regulations.
• Advertise job openings through various channels, screen resumes and conduct initial interviews, and coordinate interviews with department heads or supervisor.
• Extend job offers and plans and conducts New Employee Orientation and onboarding programs to foster strong engagement; regularly reviews and makes improvements when appropriate.
• Conduct background checks and employment eligibility verifications when applicable.
  
  

What experience you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s Degree or appropriate combination of education and related experience to support on-the-job effectiveness.
• Minimum 7 years related progressive Human Resources experience required,
• Minimum 3 years HR Management, preferred.
  
  

Other Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or Certifications:

• SPHR, PHR, or SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification, preferred.
• Computer literacy in MS Office required.
• Experience with HRIS systems. ADP, preferred, but not required.
• Strong sense of integrity and ethics.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Adept business acumen and application of HR best practices/processes.
• Strong decision-making, analytical, problem solving, and conceptual thinking skills.
• Strong knowledge of local, state, and federal employment and labor laws.
• Proven success at developing strong trusting relationships to gain support and achieve results
• Ability to understand and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Must be able to meet deadlines and work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proven leadership skills strongly desired.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify alternative scenarios.
• Ability to work independently with limited direction.
  
  

The HR Manager role does not directly oversee any employees. The role will involve extensive collaboration across departments to effectively fulfill its responsibilities.

The primary work location will be at our production plant in the upstairs office area, with the majority of tasks being conducted on-site. We have a pet-friendly policy, so feel free to bring your dogs and pets along!

Disclaimer: This position description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended, however, to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential for making decisions related to job performance, employee development, and compensation. As such, the incumbent may perform other duties and responsibilities as required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and/or physical requirements of the job.