Human Resources Manager
T. Edward Wines & Spirits
Location: New York, NY
Department: Human Resources
Reports to: President

About T. Edward Wines & Spirits

We are a dynamic, growing company seeking a people-focused, strategic, and operationally strong HR Manager to support our teams, strengthen our culture, and help scale the organization as TEWS continues its national expansion.

Position Summary

The Human Resources Manager (HR) will serve as a strategic partner to management and employees, overseeing all core human resources functions except for the direct, transactional processing of payroll and benefits administration. This role involves planning, coordinating, and directing the administrative functions of the organization to ensure legal compliance, drive employee engagement, and enhance workforce performance. The HR Manager will provide leadership and guidance to their team, specifically supervising the Payroll and Benefits Specialist, and will be instrumental in fostering a positive, productive, and compliant work environment in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and best practices for New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois & California.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution:
•  Serve as the primary point of contact for complex and sensitive employee relations issues, providing guidance and support to managers and employees on HR policies and procedures.
•  Manage and resolve sensitive and complex investigations into workplace concerns, ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and alignment with company policy and legal requirements.
•  Mediate disputes and facilitate communication between employees and management to foster effective relationships, build morale, and enhance overall productivity and retention.

Performance Management, Training & Talent Development:
•  Develop and implement performance management systems that drive high performance and ensure employees receive regular, constructive feedback.
•  Offer day-to-day performance management guidance to support management (e.g., coaching, counseling, career development, disciplinary actions).
•  Assess training needs, design, and monitor professional development programs and initiatives to enhance employee skills and leadership capabilities across the organization.
•  Discerning potential succession across the organization and assist in fostering this development.

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding:
•  Oversee the recruitment, interviewing, selection, and hiring processes to ensure staffing needs are met with high-quality talent.
•  Develop a recruiting strategy that attracts top talent and coordinate a seamless, engaging onboarding process for new hires.

Compliance & Policy Development:
•  Ensure strict compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations (e.g., FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO) and maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes.
•  Develop, write, update, and implement comprehensive HR policies and procedures, communicating changes effectively to all employees.
•  Maintain meticulous records of personnel data in HRIS systems and physical files, ensuring security and compliance with all record keeping regulations.
* Assist with all audits within the department's purview.

Oversight of Payroll & Benefits Functions:
•  Collaborate with Payroll and Benefits Specialist, providing guidance and support to ensure accurate and timely processing of payroll, tax filings, and benefits enrollment and administration.
•  Collaborate with the Payroll and Benefits Specialist and Finance department to conduct benefits analyses, reconcile data, resolve discrepancies, and support annual audits, ensuring cost-effectiveness and competitiveness of programs.
•  Serve as an escalation point for complex payroll or benefits inquiries that require a managerial review or liaison with external vendors/brokers.

Qualifications and Skills:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field is required. A master’s degree or professional certification (PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP) is strongly preferred.

Experience: A minimum of 5-7 years of progressive human resources experience, with at least 2-3 years in a supervisory or management role.

Skills:
•  In-depth knowledge of NYC, New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Illinois & California federal labor laws and HR best practices.
•  Excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation, and active listening skills, with the ability to build and manage interpersonal relationships at all levels of the company.
•  Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-informed decision-making abilities.
•  Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and the highest level of confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive information.
•  Proficiency with HRIS systems and standard Microsoft Office Suite applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
•  Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

To Apply
Submit your resume and a brief cover letter detailing your interest in the role and how your experience aligns with our needs. T. Edward Wines & Spirits is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.