People & Culture Director
About the Role
Essential Oxygen is seeking a People & Culture Director to build and lead our people function during an exciting stage of growth. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys both strategic thinking and hands-on execution within an entrepreneurial environment. Reporting directly to the executive leadership team, this individual will oversee all aspects of the employee lifecycle, including talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compliance, organizational development, and culture initiatives. As a small but growing company, this role requires a highly proactive leader who can seamlessly move between strategic planning and day-to-day HR operations. The successful candidate will create scalable people processes while serving as a trusted advisor to leadership and a responsive resource for employees.
Key Responsibilities
- People Strategy & Organizational Development
- Partner with executive leadership on workforce planning and organizational design
- Develop and implement people strategies that support company growth
- Advise leadership on employee engagement, retention, succession planning, and change management
- Establish scalable HR programs and infrastructure appropriate for a growing organization
- Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
- Lead recruiting efforts for all positions across the organization
- Develop job descriptions, interview processes, compensation recommendations, and onboarding programs
- Ensure new employees are effectively integrated into the organization and culture
- Employee Relations & Performance Management
- Serve as a trusted advisor to managers and employees on personnel matters
- Provide coaching and guidance regarding employee relations issues, performance concerns, feedback conversations, and conflict resolution
- Develop and administer performance management processes, goal setting, and professional development initiatives
- HR Operations & Compliance
- Own and maintain HR policies, employee handbook, SOPs, and employee documentation
- Administer benefits, leave management, workers' compensation, and employee records
- Ensure compliance with California employment laws and regulations, including wage and hour requirements, paid leave laws, workplace violence prevention requirements, and other evolving employment obligations
- Partner with outside legal counsel and external HR resources as necessary
- Culture & Employee Experience
- Champion Essential Oxygen's values and B Corp mission
- Develop initiatives that support employee engagement, communication, recognition, and overall employee experience
- Help cultivate a culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement
- HR Systems & Administration
- Manage BambooHR and related HR systems
- Maintain employee files, reporting, and compliance documentation
- Develop HR metrics and reporting to support leadership decision-making
Required Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
- SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certification strongly preferred
- Minimum 5–7 years of progressive HR experience, including leadership responsibilities
- Strong experience supporting small businesses, entrepreneurial companies, or high-growth organizations
- Deep expertise in California employment law and HR compliance
- Demonstrated experience building HR programs and processes from the ground up
- Intention to remain in the position for a minimum of one year, given the foundational nature of this role
- Must be a California resident (Bay Area preferred)
Preferred Experience
- Experience supporting consumer products, manufacturing, distribution, or operational environments
- Experience working with remote and warehouse-based teams
- Experience partnering directly with founders and executive leadership teams
- Experience with HRIS systems, preferably BambooHR
Personal Characteristics
- Highly responsive and dependable
- Strong business judgment and discretion
- Comfortable operating independently with minimal oversight
- Confident communicator who can provide candid guidance to leadership
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
- Hands-on, practical, and solutions-oriented
- Passion for mission-driven businesses and sustainability
- Genuine alignment with B-Corp values — a commitment to social and environmental responsibility and to using business as a force for good
Compensation & Schedule
- $40–50/hour, based on experience
- Part-time, 15–20 hours per week
- Consistent weekly availability required
- Flexible remote/hybrid schedule (must reside in California; Bay Area strongly preferred)
- Potential for expanded hours and future full-time growth
- Performance bonus opportunities
- Vacation and sick-time accrual
About Us
Essential Oxygen is a natural CPG brand dedicated to bringing effective and clean products to market and loving the planet in the process. We're passionate about providing the highest-quality natural oral care and household products to our customers. As a certified B-Corp, we hold ourselves to rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Join us and be part of a company making a positive impact on the world.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Essential Oxygen, we believe that a diverse team makes us stronger, more creative, and better able to serve our community and our planet. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences feel valued, respected, and empowered to do their best work. Essential Oxygen is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We encourage candidates from underrepresented communities to apply.