Zuma Restaurants · 6 days ago
People and Culture Manager
San Diego County, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$110K/yr - $120K/yr
3+ years expZuma Restaurants is opening a new location in San Diego and is seeking a People and Culture Manager to join their pre-opening team. The role involves overseeing core HR functions, driving a people-first culture, and ensuring compliance with employment laws while shaping an engaging team experience.
ConfectioneryFood and BeverageHospitalityRestaurants
Hiring Manager
Jessica Griffiths
Responsibilities
Act as a trusted People and Culture partner for leaders and team members, providing guidance on employee relations, conflict resolution, complaints, and performance matters
Oversee and ensure compliance with California, San Diego, and Federal employment laws, including FEHA, CFRA, wage transparency, at-will employment, city sick leave requirements, meal & rest break rules, and local labour ordinances
Shape all pre-opening People and Culture foundations for the venue, from onboarding materials and training frameworks to compliance documentation, HR systems, and department processes
Lead the full onboarding journey: pre-hire administration, I-9/E-Verify, orientation, training coordination, and ongoing support
Partner with the Talent Acquisition Manager and Payroll Manager to ensure seamless processes across hiring, status changes, payroll accuracy, and employee lifecycle management
Maintain accurate, confidential HRIS records in line with California recordkeeping requirements
Support and coordinate training, upskilling, and development initiatives to drive retention and performance
Champion employee engagement, wellness, and recognition programmes unique to the Zuma brand
Guide leaders through performance reviews, coaching plans, documentation, and progressive discipline where required
Be a visible and approachable presence on the floor across shifts, building relationships and trust with the team
Help manage workplace safety compliance including onboarding training, accident documentation, workers’ compensation and return-to-work processes in line with California standards
Qualification
Required
3–5+ years of progressive HR experience, ideally within hospitality
Strong working knowledge of California and San Diego employment regulations (FEHA, CFRA, Wage Orders, Predictive Scheduling rules, Cal/OSHA standards, Paid Sick Leave, meal & rest break compliance)
Experience handling complex employee relations with tact, discretion, and confidentiality
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and coaching skills
A detail-driven, organised approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities
A genuine passion for people, culture, and creating an extraordinary workplace
Preferred
Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Hospitality, or related field preferred
Experience of initial set-up of people processes and procedures in California would also be advantageous
Proficiency in HRIS platforms (preferably ADP Workforce)
Benefits
World-Class training , designed to inspire and educate
Global opportunities , experience hospitality around the globe with our five incredible brands
Health Benefits : Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance to ensure your well-being
Family Meals are shared daily
Rewards + Recognition , we value our team and celebrate your contributions to our success with meaningful rewards and recognition
Dining discount , enjoy exclusive discounts across the Azumi group, worldwide!
Company
Zuma Restaurants
Zuma award-winning Japanese restaurants have led the way for more than 20 years with their sophisticated twist on ‘izakaya’-style informal dining: a contemporary take on authentic Japanese cuisine which is innovative, while still rooted in traditional methods.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageRecent News
Company data provided by crunchbase