HR Lead

About the Role

Compare Foods is a family-owned independent grocery operation serving Fayetteville and Spring Lake with two stores and over 80 employees. We are building a professionally managed, scalable company, and our people are central to that.

The HR Lead owns the full employee life cycle across both stores: hiring, onboarding, policy, employee relations, compliance, and development. This is a hands-on role that includes time on the sales floor. To succeed in this position, you'll need excellent communication and critical thinking skills, and you'll be willing to lend a hand with other ad hoc tasks our team needs help with.

HR Lead Responsibilities

• Own the full employee life cycle across multiple stores, including hiring, onboarding, policy, employee relations, compliance, and development
• Work alongside recruiters, both external and internal, to ensure best hiring practices
• Assist with administrative duties such as scheduling interviews and meetings
• Serve as the first point of contact for the human resources department
• Answer telephone calls and email inquiries from both internal and external parties
• Other duties as assigned

Employee Relations and Discipline

• Serve as a trusted point of contact for employees across both stores on workplace questions, concerns, and conflicts
• Address and help resolve employee relations issues fairly, consistently, and with appropriate confidentiality
• Support managers in documenting performance concerns and administering corrective action, including warnings
• Maintain accurate records of disciplinary actions and related communications

Recruiting and Onboarding

• Work alongside recruiters, both external and internal, to attract and hire qualified candidates and ensure best hiring practices
• Schedule interviews and meetings and coordinate the hiring process with store managers
• Assist in new employee orientation by creating onboarding packets and answering questions regarding key tenets of employment
• Ensure new hires have the information and support they need to get started successfully

Compliance and Records

• Maintain employee documentation and records, including hiring information, warnings, and sick and vacation leave
• Apply knowledge of HR best practices and labor laws to keep both stores compliant
• Keep employee files organized, accurate, and securely stored

Payroll, Timekeeping, and Benefits

• Track payment records and process payroll, both checks and direct deposits
• Monitor timekeeping and attendance records, including sick and vacation leave
• Answer employee questions regarding pay, time records, and benefits

Policies, Training, and Development

• Update company policies to ensure legal compliance
• Communicate policies and policy changes clearly to employees and managers
• Support training and development efforts that help employees grow within the company

Training and Development

• Keep the employee handbook, SOPs, and job descriptions current and bilingual
• Coordinate training programs, including manager-in-training, Store Director onboarding, and our 12-month Assistant Store Manager trainee program
• Run the performance review cycle and help managers hold regular one-on-ones

HR Lead Requirements

Required

• 3+ years of hands-on HR experience, including recruiting, employee relations, and compliance
• Working knowledge of federal and North Carolina employment law, I-9/E-Verify, and wage-and-hour rules
• Proven ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and document them thoroughly
• Comfortable with HRIS, timekeeping, and payroll systems, plus Excel or Google Sheets
• Organized, punctual, and able to manage many open items across two locations
• Valid driver's license
• Willingness to work hands-on, including time on the sales floor
• Excellent communication and critical thinking skills, and a team-player attitude

Preferred

• BA/BS in human resources or a similar field