Employee Relations Specialist II

About Us

Cotti Foods (“Cotti”) is a dynamic and fast-growing company. Cotti owns and operates over 200 Wendy’s and Taco Bell restaurants in California, Hawaii, and the Midwest. Most recently Cotti added the 7 Brew coffee brand to its portfolio as it looks to expand its footprint in California. We are looking for a highly motivated, experienced employee relations professional who can independently manage complex employee relations matters and contribute to the company’s continued growth.

The ideal candidate is thoughtful and highly organized, with strong investigative, communication, writing and analytical skills. This individual should exercise sound judgment, maintain strict confidentiality, and be comfortable managing sensitive matters in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

As part of the Human Resources team, this role will coordinate the handling and resolution of employee relations matters, workplace investigations, policy administration, compliance activities, and employee relations reporting in partnership with HR leadership. The Employee Relations Specialist will partner closely with the Vice President of Human Resources, field operations, Legal professionals, managers, and employees to ensure employee concerns are addressed fairly, consistently, and in accordance with company policies and applicable employment laws.

This will be a full-time, non-exempt position located in our Rancho Santa Margarita location.

Responsibilities

Employee Relations & Investigations

Coordinate employee relations matters from intake through resolution, ensuring timely follow-up and documentation, and appropriate review with the Vice President of Human Resources.”

Conduct and coordinate workplace investigations, including employee interviews, fact-finding, documentation, and analysis, in partnership with HR leadership as appropriate.

Support and coordinate complex and sensitive investigations involving workplace conduct, policy violations, performance concerns, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other employee relations matters, in partnership with HR leadership and Legal as appropriate

Ensure investigations are conducted objectively, consistently, and in accordance with company policies and applicable employment laws.

Prepare thorough and objective investigation documentation, case summaries, timelines, and executive summaries.

Maintain accurate, thorough, and confidential employee relations case files.

Prepare recommendations for corrective action, disciplinary measures, and other resolutions with HR Leadership, as appropriate.

Track investigation outcomes and follow-up actions to ensure timely and consistent resolution.

Escalate complex, high-risk, or legally sensitive matters to the Vice President of Human Resources and Legal as appropriate.

Manager & Employee Support

• Partner with field operations and managers to address employee relations concerns and promote consistent application of company policies.
• Provide guidance to managers on employee relations processes, workplace policies, documentation, and escalation procedures in alignment with HR leadership's direction.
• Serve as a trusted and responsive resource for employees with questions or concerns related to workplace policies and employee relations processes.
• Help facilitate conflict resolution and support productive workplace relationships.
• Maintain professionalism, neutrality, and confidentiality when working with employees and leaders on sensitive matters.

Reporting & Risk Management

• Analyze employee relations cases to identify trends, recurring concerns, and potential areas of organizational risk.
• Prepare and maintain recurring employee relations reports and dashboards for the VP of Human Resources.
• Identify and recommend proactive solutions to address employee relations trends and mitigate organizational risk.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of employee relations processes, tools, and reporting capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressive experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, human resources, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or conducting workplace investigations.
• Working knowledge of federal and California employment laws and regulations, including EEO, ADA, FMLA/CFRA, FLSA, and wage and hour requirements.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive employee matters with discretion and sound judgment.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Strong investigative skills, including interviewing, fact-finding, documentation, and analysis.
• Experience working within an employee relations or HR case management system.
• Strong understanding of employee relations principles and workplace practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain objective and exercise sound judgment when navigating sensitive situations.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple cases and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish credibility and build effective working relationships with employees, managers, and cross-functional partners.
• Experience partnering closely with Legal and Human Resources on employee relations matters.
• Ability to identify patterns and trends in employee relations data and translate them into actionable insights.

Additional Requirements

• This role may require occasional travel for investigations, meetings, or other business needs.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive employee and company information.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to occasionally lift 15 pounds.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.