HR Business Partner

Position Overview:

As an HR Business Partner supporting Coffeehouse Operations, you will serve as a strategic advisor to field leaders and a trusted resource for team members throughout the entire employee lifecycle-from onboarding and performance management to career development and workforce planning. You will work closely with leaders to foster high-performing teams by providing proactive guidance, coaching, and HR solutions that align with organizational goals.

In this role, you will also play a critical part in employee relations, partnering with leaders to develop strategies that support a healthy workplace culture and minimize risk. This includes conducting thorough investigations, ensuring compliance with company policies and employment laws, and resolving complex workplace issues with fairness and consistency.

You will be successful in this role if you have a strong ability to think strategically and execute effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Your ability to balance independent judgment with collaborative problem-solving will be key as you support leaders in driving business outcomes through people-focused solutions.

Core Responsibilities:

Employee Relations & Workplace Culture

• Leverage investigation expertise to conduct consistent investigations thoroughly and timely. This includes consulting with leadership, investigating violations of Conduct and company policies, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.

• Partner with legal counsel and HR leadership to ensure investigations and ER practices meet legal and ethical standards.

• Provide expert guidance and coaching to managers on handling sensitive employee issues, difficult conversations, and conflict resolution, ensuring alignment with company values and legal compliance.

• Maintain and analyze case management data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for proactive interventions. Use insights to inform training, policy updates, and leadership development.

• Promote a respectful, inclusive, and transparent workplace culture by designing and supporting initiatives that enhance employee wellbeing, morale, and retention.

• Ensure compliance with HR policies by reviewing and managing the accuracy, confidentiality and maintenance of employee records.

HR Planning & Advisory

• Support cyclical HR processes such as open enrollment, performance management, engagement surveys, and merit cycles, ensuring alignment with business goals and employee needs.

• Ensure consistent execution of HR practices and systems by auditing practices, analyzing reports, creating action plans to enhance engagement and performance, and developing and delivering HR training programs.

• Deliver high-quality HR support and guidance to employees and leaders, enabling effective decision-making and a positive employee experience.

• Collaborate with leaders on workforce planning, career pathing, and talent reviews to build a strong pipeline of high-potential talent.

• Drive continuous improvement in HR service delivery by identifying process gaps, recommending enhancements, and scaling solutions with company growth.

• Train and support the Associate HR Business Partner on escalation of complex problems to co-facilitate thoughtful solutions

Leadership Enablement

• Foster strong connections between leaders and employees by promoting open and transparent communication at both organizational and individual levels.

• Promote a coaching culture by training leaders to engage in regular development conversations, goal setting, and career pathing with their teams.

• Support new leader onboarding by providing guidance on team integration, culture alignment, and people management practices.

• Facilitate leadership development by identifying skill gaps and partnering with Talent Management to deliver targeted learning experiences, workshops, and resources that build core leadership competencies.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Demonstrate agility by responding to changing business needs, adapt and change course when necessary.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret, communicate, and apply data insights to drive business outcomes.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with all organizational levels.

• Skilled in working with cross-functional teams to create results, resolution of issues and alignment across the organization.

• Ability to build trust-based relationships with employees and leaders, serving as advisor and strategic partner.

• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies.

• Proven ability to solve problems, think critically, and make timely decisions.

• Ability to remain tactful, calm, and persuasive in controversial and/or confrontational situations.

• Approaches challenges with curiosity and a proactive mindset.

• Proven ability to handle highly sensitive data with integrity and confidentiality.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field

• 4-7 years' progressive experience in HR generalist, talent management, learning and development, organizational effectiveness or related capabilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, local labor and employment laws and HR/talent management best practices

• Management of large-scale talent development and/or coaching projects

Preferred:

• HR Certification (PHR, SPHR, etc.)

• Experience in retail, QSR, or fast casual restaurant industry

Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements for this position include sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical requirements must be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Caribou or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.