Lakanto
Overview
Our mission is to support the health of people and their environments—from the products we create to the spaces in which our employees work and thrive. We believe that a healthy work environment is just as important as the health of the people in it. In this role, you will play a critical part in shaping and maintaining a safe, engaging, and inspiring day-to-day environment for our team. You’ll ensure that employees have the resources, support, and culture they need to do their best work while also partnering across the organization to uphold safety, compliance, and operational excellence. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact on the people, culture, and daily experiences that define Saraya USA.
We are seeking an experienced Director of People & Culture to lead our People & Culture Team to provide hands-on support across all areas of Human Resources, Safety, Culture Building and Office Management. This role is strategic yet operational, partnering with executives while ensuring day-to-day HR and safety processes are running effectively.
What You’ll Do Strategic Leadership
Lead and develop the People & Culture team (including HR & Safety) in setting goals, KPIs, and overall department strategy & prioritization.
Partner with executives to align HR initiatives with business objectives.
Manage HR & Safety budgets, and department resources.
Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
Oversee full-cycle recruiting: job requisitions, postings, interviews, offers, and staffing partnerships.
Design and deliver onboarding programs that set new hires up for success.
Partner with managers to ensure smooth transitions.
Employee Engagement & Culture
Build & manage recognition, engagement, and cultural programs that reflect company values.
Lead town halls, employee events, and oversee service anniversary/birthday recognition programs
Compensation & Benefits
Oversee benefits administration (medical, retirement, wellness, open enrollment)
Partner with brokers on plan design and communication tools.
Support employees with ongoing qualifying life events, enrollment changes and access to information for benefits utilization
Partner closely with the payroll team to oversee employee status changes, pay rate changes, time keeping changes and LOA, etc.
Employee Relations & HR Compliance
Serve as primary contact for employee concerns and conflict resolution.
Lead investigations and disciplinary processes with fairness and consistency.
Ensure compliance with ADA, OSHA, FLSA, EEOC, Title VII, and other labor laws.
Oversee leave of absence management (FMLA, parental leave, disability, COVID, etc.).
Office Management
Oversee daily office operations, including security camera systems, key card access, supplies, and vendor management.
Manage visitor experience, VIP guests, and office events.
Ensure a positive and productive work environment through organization, cleanliness, and facility coordination.
Safety Management
Provide leadership to the Safety team, ensuring department compliance and prioritization of focus areas
Oversee OSHA recordkeeping, reporting, and required safety training programs.
Manage workers’ compensation claims and injury/incident reporting.
Ensure workplace readiness: fire extinguisher checks, first aid supplies, and emergency preparedness.
Food Manufacturing Quality & Safety Support
Collaborate with Quality and Operations teams to align HR processes with food safety standards.
Ensure HR practices support compliance with food manufacturing requirements.
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Operate effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, balancing strategy with hands-on execution.
Documentation & Recordkeeping
Ensure accurate recordkeeping for HR compliance, employee files, safety, benefits, and training.
Maintain up-to-date documentation for audits, inspections, and regulatory reporting.
Oversee document flow in HRIS and ensure data integrity.
Develop templates, SOPs, and tools to streamline documentation across HR, Safety, and Quality functions.
Leading by Example & Living Our Values
Embody and model the company’s core values in daily leadership and decision-making:
Proactive Communication
– Build transparency, clarity, and trust through open dialogue.
Respect and Value Others
– Treat every individual with dignity, recognize contributions, seek out diverse perspectives, and approach disagreements with professionalism and empathy.
Growing, Innovating & Improving
– Encourage learning, development, and continuous improvement.
United to Multiply Our Success
– Inspire teamwork and leverage diverse strengths to achieve shared goals.
Positivity & Gratitude
– Promote a culture of appreciation by highlighting wins, supporting colleagues, and approaching challenges with optimism and encouragement.
Requirements Who You Are:
You are a strategic, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing & office environment and is passionate about creating a positive employee experience.
You have the ability to balance big-picture thinking with operational execution, ensuring HR & Safety functions run smoothly while supporting business goals.
You excel at building trust and credibility and connection across all levels of the organization, and you lead by example, consistently living the company’s values.
You are proactive, organized, and comfortable navigating complex HR, compliance, and operational challenges.
You are energized by leading cross-functional initiatives, partnering with Safety and Quality teams, and creating programs that support employee growth while ensuring regulatory and operational excellence.
Key qualities
Experienced Leader:
5+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including managing teams, driving strategy, and partnering with executives.
Operational Excellence:
Strong experience in HR operations, office management, and compliance within a manufacturing or fast-paced environment.
People-Focused:
Skilled at building relationships, coaching managers, resolving conflicts, and fostering a culture of respect, engagement, and development.
Compliance & Safety Minded:
Knowledgeable in labor law, OSHA, ADA, FLSA, EEOC, Title VII, and food manufacturing safety requirements.
Analytical & Results-Oriented:
Able to track metrics, analyze data, and deliver actionable insights that improve processes and performance.
Tech-Savvy :
Comfortable managing HRIS platforms, learning management systems (LMS), and digital documentation tools.
Values-Driven:
You lead with positivity, gratitude, respect, and collaboration, modeling behaviors that inspire and engage others.
Professionalism & Integrity:
Acts as a reliable advisor, exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and organizational information.
Benefits & Company Perks
27 Paid Days Off in Your First Year (12 Paid Holidays and 15 PTO)
Excellent Medical, Vision & Dental
Voluntary Short & Long Term Disability Coverage
Optional 401K
Optional HSA Matching Program
Team Building Activities
Free Products from all Saraya USA Brands
Meaningful work for a company doing good in the world!
#J-18808-Ljbffr
We are seeking an experienced Director of People & Culture to lead our People & Culture Team to provide hands-on support across all areas of Human Resources, Safety, Culture Building and Office Management. This role is strategic yet operational, partnering with executives while ensuring day-to-day HR and safety processes are running effectively.
What You’ll Do Strategic Leadership
Lead and develop the People & Culture team (including HR & Safety) in setting goals, KPIs, and overall department strategy & prioritization.
Partner with executives to align HR initiatives with business objectives.
Manage HR & Safety budgets, and department resources.
Talent Acquisition & Onboarding
Oversee full-cycle recruiting: job requisitions, postings, interviews, offers, and staffing partnerships.
Design and deliver onboarding programs that set new hires up for success.
Partner with managers to ensure smooth transitions.
Employee Engagement & Culture
Build & manage recognition, engagement, and cultural programs that reflect company values.
Lead town halls, employee events, and oversee service anniversary/birthday recognition programs
Compensation & Benefits
Oversee benefits administration (medical, retirement, wellness, open enrollment)
Partner with brokers on plan design and communication tools.
Support employees with ongoing qualifying life events, enrollment changes and access to information for benefits utilization
Partner closely with the payroll team to oversee employee status changes, pay rate changes, time keeping changes and LOA, etc.
Employee Relations & HR Compliance
Serve as primary contact for employee concerns and conflict resolution.
Lead investigations and disciplinary processes with fairness and consistency.
Ensure compliance with ADA, OSHA, FLSA, EEOC, Title VII, and other labor laws.
Oversee leave of absence management (FMLA, parental leave, disability, COVID, etc.).
Office Management
Oversee daily office operations, including security camera systems, key card access, supplies, and vendor management.
Manage visitor experience, VIP guests, and office events.
Ensure a positive and productive work environment through organization, cleanliness, and facility coordination.
Safety Management
Provide leadership to the Safety team, ensuring department compliance and prioritization of focus areas
Oversee OSHA recordkeeping, reporting, and required safety training programs.
Manage workers’ compensation claims and injury/incident reporting.
Ensure workplace readiness: fire extinguisher checks, first aid supplies, and emergency preparedness.
Food Manufacturing Quality & Safety Support
Collaborate with Quality and Operations teams to align HR processes with food safety standards.
Ensure HR practices support compliance with food manufacturing requirements.
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Operate effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, balancing strategy with hands-on execution.
Documentation & Recordkeeping
Ensure accurate recordkeeping for HR compliance, employee files, safety, benefits, and training.
Maintain up-to-date documentation for audits, inspections, and regulatory reporting.
Oversee document flow in HRIS and ensure data integrity.
Develop templates, SOPs, and tools to streamline documentation across HR, Safety, and Quality functions.
Leading by Example & Living Our Values
Embody and model the company’s core values in daily leadership and decision-making:
Proactive Communication
– Build transparency, clarity, and trust through open dialogue.
Respect and Value Others
– Treat every individual with dignity, recognize contributions, seek out diverse perspectives, and approach disagreements with professionalism and empathy.
Growing, Innovating & Improving
– Encourage learning, development, and continuous improvement.
United to Multiply Our Success
– Inspire teamwork and leverage diverse strengths to achieve shared goals.
Positivity & Gratitude
– Promote a culture of appreciation by highlighting wins, supporting colleagues, and approaching challenges with optimism and encouragement.
Requirements Who You Are:
You are a strategic, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing & office environment and is passionate about creating a positive employee experience.
You have the ability to balance big-picture thinking with operational execution, ensuring HR & Safety functions run smoothly while supporting business goals.
You excel at building trust and credibility and connection across all levels of the organization, and you lead by example, consistently living the company’s values.
You are proactive, organized, and comfortable navigating complex HR, compliance, and operational challenges.
You are energized by leading cross-functional initiatives, partnering with Safety and Quality teams, and creating programs that support employee growth while ensuring regulatory and operational excellence.
Key qualities
Experienced Leader:
5+ years of progressive HR leadership experience, including managing teams, driving strategy, and partnering with executives.
Operational Excellence:
Strong experience in HR operations, office management, and compliance within a manufacturing or fast-paced environment.
People-Focused:
Skilled at building relationships, coaching managers, resolving conflicts, and fostering a culture of respect, engagement, and development.
Compliance & Safety Minded:
Knowledgeable in labor law, OSHA, ADA, FLSA, EEOC, Title VII, and food manufacturing safety requirements.
Analytical & Results-Oriented:
Able to track metrics, analyze data, and deliver actionable insights that improve processes and performance.
Tech-Savvy :
Comfortable managing HRIS platforms, learning management systems (LMS), and digital documentation tools.
Values-Driven:
You lead with positivity, gratitude, respect, and collaboration, modeling behaviors that inspire and engage others.
Professionalism & Integrity:
Acts as a reliable advisor, exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality when handling sensitive employee and organizational information.
Benefits & Company Perks
27 Paid Days Off in Your First Year (12 Paid Holidays and 15 PTO)
Excellent Medical, Vision & Dental
Voluntary Short & Long Term Disability Coverage
Optional 401K
Optional HSA Matching Program
Team Building Activities
Free Products from all Saraya USA Brands
Meaningful work for a company doing good in the world!
#J-18808-Ljbffr