Director of Human Resources

Company Overview:

Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (Southern), is a nationally recognized wine and spirits distributor known for its historic commitment to delivering the highest standards of customer service and creative marketing programs and partnerships.  The Company is known for its best-in-industry professional and well-trained sales, operational and support staff.

As the country’s largest wine and spirits distributor, Southern is nationally recognized by its supplier partners as well as by its customers for its state-of-the-art distribution capabilities as well as its leading-edge information technology.  Southern Wine & Spirits has expanded steadily to 35 large, state-of-the-art distribution centers in 27 states.

Since its founding in 1968, Southern Wine & Spirits of America’s record of expansion and growth is unparalleled in the history of the U.S. wine and spirits distribution business.  Overall, Southern achieved in excess of $7 billion in 2006 sales, commanding more than 19% of total domestic wine and spirits wholesaler revenues.

Southern represents approximately 1,500 wine, spirits, beer, and beverage suppliers from around the world, and markets, promotes, merchandises, and distributes nearly 5,000 individual brands.

Position Summary:

Manages all aspects of the Human Resources function for the state of New York to include multiple site locations; advises senior management on human resource management policies and procedures to support company strategic success; participates in local and corporate-wide team modernizing HR functions; and ensures company policies are compliant with state and federal laws and regulations.

Key Roles & Responsibilities:
-Reviews, revises and oversees hiring practices and policies including recruitment, interviewing procedures, pre-employment process and new hire orientation, ensuring company's compliance with all areas of employment law.
-Manages public advertising of job vacancies, other recruitment activities and processing of job applications.
-Conducts background checks on proposed hires.
-Develops and implements recruiting strategies.
-Coordinates hiring processes and decisions as to ensure compliance with corporate policies and applicable laws.
-Trains, assists and monitors supervisors in completion of employee performance evaluations and development plans.
-Assist senior management in maintaining senior management succession planning and related staff development activities.
-Represents the Company in labor/management issues including but not limited to contract compliance, progressive discipline, terminations and grievance procedures.
-Conducts internal investigations in accordance with Company policy and legal requirements.
-Develops and reviews job descriptions, pay ranges, job titles and career paths.
-Supervises HR staff in multiple locations conducting ongoing HR operations, including:
-Implements employee benefit programs, and oversees divisional open enrollments.

-Interfaces with Payroll and BSG on employee changes and payroll/benefits administration issues.
-Oversees annual updating of Affirmative Action Plans in accordance with OFCCP requirements.
-Interprets policies for employees and managers ensuring consistent application and execution of policies and business practices.
-Under the direction of the designated corporate HR executive, counsels employees and all levels of management on employee/labor relations issues ensuring legal compliance with policy, laws and CBA's.
-Oversees and facilitates training and development for employees and managers through various forums such as seminars, speaker presentations and workshops.
-Oversees the administration of all leaves, including but not limited to FMLA/CFRA,/PDL/work comp disability.
-Reviews and approves employee requests for continuing education financial assistance through the Company's tuition reimbursement program.
-Represents the Company in unemployment claim issues and attends appeal hearings.
-Represents the Company in legal proceedings and coordinates research and discovery with Corporate Counsel where necessary.
-Perform other related duties as assigned by the VP of Operations and/or corporate senior level HR executives.
-Attend seminars/training for continuous review of changes to state and federal law governing all areas of the Human Resources function.
-Supervise workflow of HR staff.
Skills & Qualifications:

-7-10 years of Human Resource experience in a managerial capacity.

-Demonstrated knowledge of employment law and multiple HR functions. (weighted at 20%)
-Demonstrated leadership skills that inspire and motivate others to excel, and allows acceptance of constructive feedback. (weighted at 20%)
-Demonstrated skill at being a change agent and partnering with high levels of management to facilitate change. (weighted at 20%)
-Demonstrated skills in area of promoting and fostering diversity and inclusion. (weighted at 20%)
-Demonstrated strong oral, written, analytical, and interpersonal skills. (weighted at 10%)
-Ability to organize work and prioritize to meet deadlines, make timely decisions and with sound judgment. (weighted at 5%)
-Demonstrated knowledge of latest version of Microsoft Office, SAP and ability to participate in development and implementation of "HR Management Information Systems"

Education:

Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Management, Human Resources, or related field.
Masters Degree in related field and/or SPHR, PHR certified desired.