Wagamama USA is growing!
Wagamama USA is a full-service concept that provides a modern and nourishing twist and fresh take on great Asian-fusion food., Wagamama currently operates 8 restaurants in NYC, Boston, Dallas, Tampa and Clarendon and has aggressive growth plans.
‘Kaizen’, meaning ‘good change’ is the philosophy that sits right at our heart. It shapes every dish we create and pushes us to find better ways in all that we do. We’re restless spirits, forever creating and making things better.
We’ve been practicing kaizen since 1992, when we opened our first doors in London’s Bloomsbury. Inspired by fast-paced, Japanese ramen bars and a celebration of Asian food, Wagamama burst into life. We set out to create a unique way of eating, bringing the fresh, nourishing, flavors of Asia to all.
That was over 25 years ago now. Two whole decades to sharpen skills and refine recipes, to play with spices and discover tastes. We continue to get better with every day.
Wagamama welcomes you to join the team. Be a part of our story.
position overview
Based in New York City, and reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President of Human Resources will play an integral role as the brand continues to grow. Serving as a vital member of the senior management team and the key resource on all people matters, s/he will coach/guide field operations teams on all employee relations issues and ensure compliance with relevant laws and ordinances, while championing the strong brand culture. S/he will also assume a major role in ensuring the talent pipeline, organizational development, a healthy and engaged workforce and continue to align objectives with the organization’s strategic plans.
It is critical that this executive be a hands-on, collaborative team player, willing and able to participate in doing the work. S/he should be naturally inclined to build a people-first, high performance culture that emphasizes quality, productivity, fun and the ongoing development of an inclusive workforce.
what you’ll do:
- Elevating and managing all people systems, programs, policies and practices and processes to meet strategic and operational people objectives.
- Collaborating with the other members of the leadership team to design and implement a Human Resources strategy and employee training, development and acquisition programs, setting the roadmap to support organizational growth and championing the brand’s culture.
- Ensuring compliance with human resources/employment related laws and regulations.
- Developing staffing strategies and implementation plans and programs to identify talent within and outside the company for positions of responsibility; Identifying appropriate and effective internal and external sources for candidates for all levels within the company.
- Partnering cross-functionally, specifically with operations to ensure recruitment, benefits, training and development activities support the successful growth of the company in “employer of choice” status with all current and prospective team members.
- Providing coaching, counseling and an overall performance management plan to address onboarding, staff development, team member engagement retention and risk management.
- Designing and delivering leadership, management and hourly development programs.
- Staying abreast of new ideas and appropriate people systems and communications technology applications.
- Taking a thorough approach to ensure best in class people rigor, discipline, and governance is in place for the future.
- Championing diversity and inclusion.
experience required:
- 7-10 years hands on human resources experience in a consumer facing industry (preferably restaurants), demonstrating a record of progressively increasing responsibility, in a multi-unit, multi-state distributed workforce environment with career rotations in recruiting and talent selection, employee relations, learning and development, compensation and benefits, culminating in a senior leadership generalist role*
- BA/BS or advance degree in Human Resources/related fields; PHR/SPHR certification required
- Experience with national wage and hour laws; NYC, Boston and East Coast preferred
- Well-developed business acumen, strategic planning, organization assessment, leadership and interpersonal skills, and analytical abilities with expertise of human resource compliance
- An ability to work in an entrepreneurial environment working tactically as well as a strategic vantage point
- Ability to engage with all levels of the organization to create alignment and results; leading as a culture champion
- Business acumen to participate and add value to high level discussions at the executive level and to manage/execute multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Strategic ability coupled with a high level of emotional intelligence to determine appropriate timing for change based on resources and organizational readiness
- The reputation as a leader of high integrity who can be trusted with confidential, personal and business information
- Intelligence, operational focus, superior communication skills and a team-oriented philosophy
- Personal characteristics reflective of a fast-paced industry; high energy, self-motivated, positive attitude, service oriented, flexible and ethical with the highest level of integrity
- Interest and ability to live in the NYC area with ability to travel as needed up to 20%
benefits + compensation:
- Compensation + Benefits: $150,000 - $175,000 per year salary, plus bonus potential and comprehensive benefits package.
#HP
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, physical or mental disability, arrest record, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state and local laws.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $150,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person