Director of People & Culture job in Burlington

Passionate about people, building inclusive workplaces, and fostering positive relationships? Do you thrive in a values-driven company and happen to love chocolate? If so, you might be the dynamic and versatile person to lead and further develop our people operations. In this role, you will shape and guide our people strategy and operations. With strength in best practices, employment law and compliance, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of all employees, you will assess, create, implement, and revise the full scope of policies, practices, and programs necessary to support organizational growth, employee development, safety, legal compliance, and increase cultural competency. You will also get to work with collaborative, innovative, honest, respectful, and enthusiastic colleagues!

We believe in a better way of doing business by focusing on a triple bottom line: people, profits, and planet. The ideal candidate will reflect these shared values, lead with integrity, and have a proven track-record of demonstrating highly-developed HR competencies and human relation skills, within a diverse and dynamic manufacturing setting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the President, the Director of People & Culture is a trusted advisor who leads, directs, inspires, and develops people operations to achieve short and long-range strategic objectives through successful planning and execution. This role is responsible for helping to create a positive, inclusive, and growth-mindset culture with a focus on continuous learning & improvement in alignment with our values and B-Corp principles. The Director of People & Culture develops and maintains systems, policies, procedures, and practices for all human resource functions including legal compliance and risk management, employee benefits, compensation, workforce planning, talent development, employee relations, safety & wellness, education & training, payroll, communication, and company events.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Director works closely with all department managers to educate, coach, and train in issues related to employee relations, leadership development, and workplace compliance. The Director also contributes to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and leading an inclusive approach to doing business.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Establish and implement short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures that support successful planning, development, and execution of human resource operations and related activities.
2. Lead, manage, and oversee all human resource programs and activities including, but not limited to, legal compliance, workplace culture, employee benefits, compensation, workforce planning, talent development, employee engagement, employee relations, safety & wellness, education & training, payroll, communication, and company events.
3. Monitor and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations; review and modify policies and practices to maintain compliance.
4. Provide opportunities for employee feedback and circulate actionable insights back to the organization to improve employee experience and workplace culture.
5. Provide recommendations on compensation strategies for all positions, with the goal of achieving competitive market positioning.
6. Analyze and present employment data, trends, and recommendations to remain relevant and competitive.
7. Establish and communicate key performance indicators for human resources.
8. Develop, manage, and monitor department budget.
9. Identify staffing needs and ensure effective and inclusive planning, recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, and termination processes and practices.
10. Effectively manage performance development and improvement efforts aligned with company values and goals.
11. Effectively lead a high-performing team by selecting, developing, coaching, and retaining talent, and set objectives that align with company strategy to inspire and engage.
12. Represent the organization and brand with employees, customers, community, and business partners.
13. Maintain regular communication with employees to keep them updated on company news, benefits, workplace initiatives, opportunities, and other relevant information.
14. Serve as LCC Health & Safety Officer.

Qualifications:

Education/Professional Credentials
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, but significant, relevant experience (especially in combination with applicable education and training) will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• SPHR and/or SHRM-SCP, preferred
Experience
• Seven or more years of human resource leadership and management experience, with a strong preference for knowledge of manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated leadership in building, leading, and managing high performing teams that collaborate well in a dynamic environment.
• Experience in a B Corp or values-driven organization highly valued.

Skills/Abilities
• Proven ability to successfully manage similar responsibilities in a remote environment.
• Skilled at inspiring and supporting a collaborative team that cares about creating an amazing employee experience and long-lasting relationships.
• Ability to develop organizational plans, budgets and programs that align with company values and direct resources to meet company goals.
• Ability to attract, interview, and hire, or help others hire, talent at all levels of an organization.
• Ability to communicate department performance and other business information clearly and accurately to the CEO, President, and other senior managers to ensure appropriate decision making and prioritization.
• Superior communication (oral, written, and interpersonal), training, delegation, negotiation, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to cultivate, analyze and translate employee insights to help identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Well-versed in digital tools and technology needed for effective communication, presentations, analysis, and management of HR data.
• Strong business acumen, including budgetary and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to maintain knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in HR, culture, talent management, and employment law.

Attributes
• Discretion and confidentiality
• Adaptability
• An understanding and appreciation for socially responsible business practices
• A respectful and appreciative approach to working with people from a broad spectrum of backgrounds.
• Strategic and critical thinker who is action oriented, collaborative, and exudes a high degree of optimism, curiosity, and emotional intelligence.

Travel requirements
• Occasional travel between LCC locations (Burlington, Williston, and Waterbury)
• Infrequent travel to workshops, conferences, seminars

Other Information and Application Process:
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Comprehensive benefits package.
Interested candidates: Submit a letter of interest, resume, and list of three professional references to: employment@lakechamplainchocolates.com Include in subject line: DOPC

Lake Champlain Chocolates is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, place of birth, disability, ethnicity, genetic information, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, crime victim status, health coverage status, HIV status, military or veteran status, and any other protected classification under applicable federal, state or local protected class.