Senior Human Resources Specialist

Position: Senior Human Resources Specialist – Employee Relations

Workplace Type: On-site

Seniority Level: Mid-Senior level

Job Function: Human Resources

Pay Range: $85,000–$105,000 annually

Benefits: 401(k) with Company Match, Employee Discount Program, Lifestyle Allowance, Mobile Phone Plan Reimbursement, Comprehensive Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance, Generous Paid Time Off, Flexible Work Hours, Wellness Days, Creative Leave, Monthly Team Building Budget and more!

About Us

CJ OLIVE YOUNG introduced the first Korean health and beauty store in 1999, pioneering the industry and becoming Korea’s No. 1 Health & Beauty Store. With over 1,400 stores across Korea and a global network reaching 150 countries, OLIVE YOUNG is now evolving into a Global Lifestyle Platform that brings the best of beauty and health to customers worldwide.

CJ OLIVE YOUNG USA, Inc. is a dynamic and fast-growing beauty retailer in the U.S. As we expand, we are also curating a selection of local U.S. beauty brands, bringing innovative and high-quality products to our customers.

About the Role

As CJ OLIVE YOUNG USA continues to expand its presence in the U.S. market, we are seeking an experienced HR Specialist with a strong focus on Employee Relations (ER) and HR Compliance.

This role will be primarily responsible for managing employee relations matters, leading workplace investigations, advising business leaders on employee-related issues, and supporting compliance with applicable employment laws and company policies.

The position will independently manage day-to-day ER matters while collaborating closely with Legal and HR leadership on sensitive, complex, or high-risk cases.

Beyond Employee Relations and Compliance, this role will also contribute to broader HR operations and initiatives to support the evolving needs of our growing organization.

The ideal candidate is a well-rounded HR professional with broad HR Generalist experience, demonstrated expertise in Employee Relations, and a strong understanding of employment law compliance.

We are looking for someone who exercises sound judgment, provides practical HR guidance, and thrives in a dynamic, fast-growing retail environment.

Frequent collaboration and professional communication in both English and Korean with U.S. business leaders and Korea HQ are required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Employee Relations & Workplace Investigations

• Manage employee relations matters, including employee complaints, workplace conflicts, performance concerns, policy violations, and other sensitive employee issues.
• Independently lead ER cases from initial intake through investigation, resolution, and follow-up, ensuring fair, consistent, and timely handling.
• Conduct workplace investigations, including employee interviews, fact-finding, evidence review, documentation, and recommendations for appropriate corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Legal and HR leadership on sensitive, complex, or high-risk employee relations matters to ensure appropriate review, guidance, and resolution.
• Advise and coach managers on employee relations matters, performance management, disciplinary actions, and employee separations.
• Partner with business leaders to proactively identify and address employee relations risks and promote a respectful and productive workplace.
• Maintain accurate and confidential ER documentation and identify opportunities to improve employee relations practices and processes.

2. HR Compliance & Policy Management

• Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, with particular emphasis on California labor and employment regulations.
• Monitor employment law and regulatory developments and support the timely implementation of necessary updates to HR policies and practices.
• Review, maintain, and implement HR policies, employee handbooks, and internal procedures to promote legal compliance and consistent application across the organization.
• Provide practical guidance to managers and employees on employment policies, workplace practices, and compliance-related matters, including wage and hour, leave, attendance, and workplace conduct.
• Support HR compliance reviews, internal audits, regulatory reporting, and maintenance of employment-related documentation.
• Identify potential HR compliance risks and collaborate with Legal, HR leadership, and relevant stakeholders to develop appropriate corrective or preventive actions.

3. General HR Support

• Support a broad range of HR operations, employee lifecycle activities, and people-related initiatives as needed.
• Collaborate with business leaders and cross-functional teams to address HR needs and support effective people management.
• Contribute to HR process improvements, employee engagement initiatives, and other HR projects aligned with organizational priorities.
• Provide flexible support across HR functions based on evolving business needs.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years of hands‑on Employee Relations experience, with a strong foundation in general HR practices.
• Employee Relations: Proven experience independently managing employee relations matters, including employee complaints, workplace conflicts, performance management, disciplinary actions, and employee separations.
• Workplace Investigations: Demonstrated experience independently leading workplace investigations, including employee interviews, fact‑finding, evidence review, documentation, and resolution recommendations, with the ability to collaborate with Legal and HR leadership on complex or sensitive matters.
• Employment Law & Compliance: Solid working knowledge of federal and California employment laws, including wage and hour, leave administration, workplace conduct, and other employment compliance requirements, with the ability to apply legal requirements and HR policies to workplace situations.
• HR Generalist Background: Broad understanding of HR functions and the flexibility to support various HR operations and initiatives beyond Employee Relations.
• Language: Professional proficiency in both English and Korean is required, including effective communication with U.S. employees and management and reporting to Korea HQ.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Skills: Strong interpersonal communication, sound judgment, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to handle sensitive matters professionally and confidentially.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing Employee Relations matters in a retail, multi-location, or fast‑growing corporate environment.
• Experience handling complex workplace investigations and employee relations matters involving California employment laws.
• Previous experience in an HR Generalist role with exposure to multiple HR functions.
• Experience working in a global organization or collaborating with international headquarters, particularly within a Korean enterprise subsidiary.
• Experience supporting HR compliance and operations across multiple states or operating jurisdictions.
• Professional HR certification such as PHR, PHRca, SPHR, or SHRM-CP.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

CJ OLIVE YOUNG USA, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe in hiring with empathy and strive to build a diverse workforce that reflects our community. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to these factors.