Empellón is seeking an organized, detail-oriented, and people-focused Human Resources & Payroll Manager to oversee all aspects of our HR operations. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced hospitality environment and is passionate about building strong teams, maintaining compliance, creating exceptional onboarding experiences, and ensuring every employee record and HR process is accurate, organized, and audit-ready.

The Human Resources & Payroll Manager will work closely with restaurant leadership to ensure our people processes are efficient, compliant, well-documented, and aligned with our culture of excellence and hospitality. This individual will own the day-to-day HR administration of the restaurant while serving as a trusted resource for both managers and employees.

ResponsibilitiesPayroll & HR Administration

Process weekly payroll accurately and on time.
Review employee timekeeping, investigate discrepancies, and resolve payroll issues promptly.
Maintain complete, organized, and confidential employee personnel files in accordance with company standards and legal record retention requirements.
Manage employee records, including new hires, promotions, compensation changes, status changes, leaves of absence, and terminations.
Conduct regular audits of payroll records, personnel files, and HR documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Ensure all employee information is handled with the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.
Maintain organized digital and physical HR filing systems that are accurate, current, and audit-ready.

Recruitment, Onboarding & Employee Experience

Coordinate the full-cycle onboarding process for all new hires.
Ensure every new employee has a professional, organized, and welcoming onboarding experience.
Verify completion of all required employment documentation prior to an employee's first shift, including I-9 verification, tax forms, direct deposit information, handbook acknowledgements, and other required documents.
Coordinate payroll enrollment, scheduling system setup, and other administrative onboarding tasks.
Maintain onboarding checklists and employee files to ensure complete and accurate documentation.
Coordinate required trainings, certifications, and compliance requirements.
Support restaurant leadership with employee development initiatives and ongoing training programs.

Compliance & Employee Relations

Serve as the company’s primary resource for Human Resources compliance and employment documentation.
Ensure compliance with all federal, New York State, and New York City employment laws and regulations.
Maintain I-9 documentation, tax forms, labor notices, required postings, and all employment records.
Monitor compliance with wage and hour laws, paid sick leave, paid family leave, harassment prevention training, and other labor requirements.
Conduct regular internal HR audits to ensure all employee documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant.
Maintain timely and thorough documentation of coaching conversations, disciplinary actions, investigations, corrective actions, and performance management.
Partner with managers to ensure employee documentation is consistent, objective, and legally compliant.
Serve as a trusted resource for employees regarding workplace policies, benefits, and HR-related questions.
Stay current on employment law updates and proactively recommend improvements to HR policies and procedures.

Benefits & Leave Administration

Administer employee benefits enrollment, eligibility changes, and open enrollment processes.
Coordinate leaves of absence, including FMLA, New York Paid Family Leave, paid sick leave, and other applicable leave programs.
Manage workers' compensation and unemployment claims.
Maintain communication with benefit providers and third-party administrators.
Ensure all leave documentation and records are maintained accurately and confidentially.

HR Operations & Process Improvement

Help maintain and update employee handbooks, policies, SOPs, and HR documentation.
Track employee anniversaries, performance evaluations, certifications, work authorizations, and required compliance trainings.
Maintain HR calendars and compliance trackers to ensure deadlines are consistently met.
Generate HR metrics and reports to support operational and business decisions.
Identify opportunities to improve HR systems, workflows, and administrative processes.
Assist in developing a positive workplace culture through organized, consistent, and employee-focused HR practices.

Qualifications

3+ years of Human Resources experience, preferably within hospitality or restaurants.
Experience processing payroll for hourly employees.
Strong understanding of federal, New York State, and New York City labor laws.
Experience with recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, and HR compliance.
Demonstrated experience maintaining organized HR records and confidential employee documentation.
Exceptional organizational skills with outstanding attention to detail.
Strong administrative and project management skills with excellent follow-through.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism, discretion, and integrity.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
Experience with ADP is strongly preferred.
Experience with 7shifts is a plus.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys creating structure and organization in a fast-paced environment. They understand that exceptional Human Resources is built on consistency, attention to detail, professionalism, and genuine care for employees.

They are:

Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
Passionate about compliance and maintaining accurate, audit-ready documentation.
Proactive, dependable, and able to anticipate needs before they arise.
Comfortable managing multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
Personable and approachable while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality.
Skilled at building efficient systems and improving administrative processes.
Calm under pressure and able to thrive in a high-volume hospitality environment.
Committed to creating an exceptional employee experience from recruitment through onboarding, development, and retention.
A collaborative partner who supports managers while holding high standards for accountability and compliance.
Someone who takes pride in building organized, efficient HR systems that help both employees and the business succeed.

At Empellón, we believe our people are our greatest asset. We are looking for an HR professional who is excited to help build a workplace where employees feel supported, managers are equipped to succeed, and every process reflects the excellence and hospitality that define our restaurants.