Human Resources Director

Salary: $95,000-$115,000 annually. FLSA Status: Exempt.

Schedule

• Full-time
• Regular in-person presence is required
• Occasional work outside standard business hours may be required to respond to business or employee needs

Location & Travel

• Based at Elephants Delicatessen's headquarters in Portland
• Regular in-person presence at company worksites
• Local travel to Elephants locations is required

About Elephants

A locally owned company since 1979, Elephants Delicatessen pioneered the gourmet food industry in the Pacific Northwest and now operates seven Portland-metro retail locations and a thriving catering company. As a certified B Corporation, we are committed to sustainability, transparency, and using business as a force for good — while serving exceptional, scratch-made food rooted in our local community. Elephants Delicatessen is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick time
• Kaiser medical coverage, including alternative care benefits such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy
• Dental insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4% company match
• Mental health resources, counseling, and financial support services
• Professional development and advancement opportunities
• Discounts on our made-from-scratch food
• Pet insurance
• Employee raffles and recognition opportunities
• Discounts through Skechers, Shoes for Crews, Verizon, select B Corporations, and other participating partners
• A workplace committed to inclusion, diversity, community involvement, employee well-being, and environmental responsibility

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, executive leadership team, managers, and employees across the organization
• Help translate Elephants’ business goals into practical people strategies that support growth, operational effectiveness, and employee retention
• Coach leaders through employee relations, performance management, workplace concerns, organizational change, and other complex people matters
• Strengthen how we attract, welcome, develop, recognize, and retain employees across our locations and divisions
• Guide key HR programs, including compensation, benefits, payroll-related processes, leave and accommodations, workplace safety, workers’ compensation, and HR technology
• Use workforce information and employee feedback to identify trends, recommend improvements, and support thoughtful decision-making
• Promote consistent, fair, and legally compliant employment practices while recognizing the distinct needs of each Elephants division
• Help preserve what makes Elephants special while guiding the organization through continued growth and change

Requirements

• At least eight years of progressive HR experience, including three or more years in an HR leadership or people-management role
• Experience supporting a multi-location, hourly workforce; experience in food service, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, or another fast-paced operational environment is strongly preferred
• Strong judgment and demonstrated experience navigating complex employee relations matters and workplace investigations
• Broad knowledge of HR practices and federal and Oregon employment requirements; multi-state experience is a plus
• Experience leading significant HR projects, system improvements, or organizational initiatives
• Experience with Paylocity or a comparable HRIS is required, and Restaurant365 experience is preferred
• A collaborative and approachable leadership style, with the ability to build trust and communicate effectively at every level of an organization
• A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field—or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
• SHRM or HRCI certification is preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Professional fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred

At Elephants, we treat one another with respect and openness while holding ourselves to high standards. We are looking for a leader who can balance empathy with accountability, listen carefully, communicate directly, and help create an environment where employees and the business can thrive.