The Vice President of Human Resources (VPHR) leads, develops, and directs the implementation of strategic and tactical plans designed to maximize the effectiveness of our associates and facilitate the people and administrative processes that contribute to an excellent working environment and the achievement of Northgate’s long-term strategic goals. The VPHR exhibits outstanding servant leadership, interpersonal skills, teamwork, collaboration, superior judgment, communication, innovation, customer service, decision-making, and a solid commitment to the success of the Northgate team. The VPHR leads the day-to-day operations of the Human Resources Department while providing leadership and direction for all HR Leaders. The VPHR is expected to facilitate and execute all human resources policies, programs, and practices, including planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and project management for all company initiatives. The VPHR is responsible for tactically implementing various human resources programs and initiatives and must keep current on federal, state, and regulatory laws. The VPHR ensures the company’s legal compliance through policy setting, practice standards, obtaining sound legal advice, and proactive coaching to all HR Leaders, Owners, Senior Management, and Operations leaders to minimize and mitigate company risk. The VPHR will establish and maintain a superior associate relations climate and solid relationships with associates at all levels while sustaining the company culture with effective communication to support the company’s values. The VPHR serves as a strategic business partner to all Owners and Company leaders, aligning human resources solutions with business needs across the organization. The VPHR will optimize all human resources systems and technology to ensure the company is positioned for sustainable growth and operational excellence.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead and direct the full range of Northgate’s HR processes, including talent recruitment, selection, retention, strategy, succession planning, best employment practices, employee relations, total compensation & benefits, learning and talent development, performance management, organization design & development, wellbeing, HR policies & procedures, change management, compliance, HR analytics, and information systems. Spend a minimum of 4 days per week working in the Support Center or at other Company locations. Conduct regular visits and engage with associates from all Northgate locations, including retail stores, Support Centers, Distribution Centers, and Commissary. Spend at least one half a day each week visiting our retail stores and other locations to engage and interact with associates, store team leaders, district team leaders, and store leadership. Develop the HR Strategy with OOP, Operations, HR Leadership Team & Legal Counsel. Collaborate with Senior Leadership and the Board of Directors to develop business strategy, missions, and objectives. Provide leadership on organization development to create and maintain a positive workplace culture and high levels of engagement throughout the organization. Lead the development, implementation, and review of effective human resources policies, programs, projects, planning, strategies, and processes. Oversee the talent review process and a comprehensive succession planning program. Cultivate a talent pipeline of candidates and support associates involved in development programs. Lead the research and implementation of benchmarked best HR practices and processes aligned with Northgate’s strategic direction and business goals. Build and develop the HR organization, ensuring leadership depth, appropriate succession, and development opportunities. Direct and coach the HR team on the leadership team's performance in performing their duties, including establishing work priorities and supporting management initiatives. Support consistent and effective associate relations at all Northgate’s locations, ensuring staff and the HR Leadership team can assist location managers with identifying, evaluating, and resolving associate issues and work performance concerns. Oversee the Wellbeing and benefits design process, which improves upon the well-being strategy and total rewards design process, improving associate well-being and optimizing the benefits costs. Oversee the development of a sustainable training model and maximize the use of technology and systems in delivering HR core functions, training, and development. Oversee the internal communication strategy and ensure our associates remain informed and well-informed of relevant company information. Oversee compensation and associated benefit programs to ensure market competitiveness and adherence to regulatory compliance and company philosophies. Lead the creation of metrics such as retention, engagement levels, and succession items to assess HR effectiveness within the organization. The ability to travel to all retail locations, DC & Commissary locations in California and out of State. Recommend and maintain an organizational structure, planning, job design, and appropriate staffing levels to accomplish company goals and objectives. Develop and manage annual budgets for the HR department. Develop, implement, and communicate relevant policies and procedures. Adhere to the highest ethical and respect standards, serving as a role model for the company values, including honesty, integrity, humility, accountability, trust, unity, efficiency, confidentiality, and sound business judgment.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS:

Education/Experience/Skills

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Organizational Development, Organizational Leadership, or other related field preferred; or Bachelor’s degree in a related field and equivalent years of experience. Professional HR certification preferred. At least 15 years of progressive experience in Human Resources Management or a related field with a minimum of 7 years in a senior-level or executive leadership role managing multiple HR functions, including talent recruitment, selection, retention, succession planning, best employment practices, employee relations, total compensation & benefits, learning and talent development, performance management, organization design & development, wellbeing, HR policies & procedures, compliance, HR information systems, training, and employee relations. Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking, reading, writing and translating, strongly preferred. Excellent verbal/written communication, interpersonal, presentation, and research skills. Strategic planning and project management skills. Strong organizational and leadership skills, delegation, team building, motivation and strategy. Extensive knowledge of all HR functions. Genuine Concern for Health, Safety, and Sanitation. High level of personal integrity, respect, ethics, servant leadership, and commitment to confidentiality. Well-developed business acumen. Demonstrated experience implementing organization-wide change. Knowledge of HR Information Technology, including hardware and software applications used in Human Resources. Extensive experience with talent and leadership management. Extensive experience with employee wellbeing programs and initiatives. Committed to effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork with all organization leaders. Proven servant leadership and ability to influence, inspire, and motivate the HR team to sustain operational excellence. Strong labor relations expertise and positive employee relation strategy experience. Clearly understand employment laws, compliance, regulatory systems, and requirements. Demonstrated sound judgment, maturity, decision-making, and ethics. Demonstrated leadership, maturity, and adherence to the highest legal and ethical standards. Effective team-building skills. High proficiency in Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Zoom, MS Teams and Ability to negotiate and manage dispute resolutions. Ability to adapt to change and maintain flexibility. Ability to motivate others. Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships at all levels of the organization. Ability to make concise recommendations by objectively considering legal, regulatory, personal, and organizational factors. Strong consultative orientation. Commitment, initiative, flexibility, and tolerance for stress. Demonstrated sound judgment, maturity, decision-making, and ethics. Demonstrated leadership, maturity, and adherence to the highest legal and ethical standards. Comfortable speaking to individuals and presenting to large groups. Ability to participate in and facilitate group meetings. High level of personal integrity, ethics, and commitment to confidentiality. Possesses in-depth knowledge of applicable employment laws and legislation, including interpretation and giving sound advice. Passion for Customer Service and Customer Centricity. Genuine Concern for Health, Safety and Sanitation. Experience in leading and guiding in a fast-growing environment. Collaborate and build cross functional partnerships with Executive Team to drive Company goals and objectives. Creativity and strong decision-making skills. Proven servant leadership, focused on building strong relationships with the HR leadership team, individualizing leadership approach to meet their needs, staying highly present and driving strong trust and collaboration. Strategic visioning aligned with organizational strategy to drive execution of HR plans and projects. Natural ability to communicate organizational strategy to the HR leadership team and understand the broader context needed to keep the HR Leaders informed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described below represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Some requirements may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities:  While performing the duties of this job, the associate is required to have sufficient ordinary ambulatory skills to visit other locations and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-50 pounds. It requires good hand-eye coordination and arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including grasp and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment, and read application information. The associate must frequently sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The work environment is typical of an office and retail store.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER NOTICE

The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, experience, educational factors, and the requirements and conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exhaustive of the tasks an employee may be required to perform. The Employer reserves the right to revise this job description at any time and to require the employee to perform other tasks as circumstances or conditions of its business or the work environment change.