People and Culture Manager

Company Profile:

At CAVA we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards something big, together.

We foster a culture built on five core values:

• Generosity First: We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in service of others.
• Constant Curiosity: We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.
• Act with Agility: We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt.
• Passion for Positivity: We greet each day with warmth and possibility.
• Collective Ambition: We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose.

People + Culture Manager:

As a People + Culture Manager, you serve as a strategic business partner to the CAVA Foods leadership team. You will drive results by maximizing our greatest asset, our people This role is an ambassador of people management practices and a driver of change, leveraging your influence and partnership. The People and Culture Manager will play a pivotal role in shaping and nurturing the organizational culture while overseeing all aspects of human resources. This position will partner with leadership to develop and implement strategies that enhance employee engagement, retention, and overall performance. This position requires regular travel between manufacturing locations in Laurel, MD, and Verona, VA to support Team Member engagement initiatives, policy implementation, and talent management efforts.

What You’ll Do:

People and Culture Strategy:

• Design and implement initiatives to promote a positive workplace culture, aligning with our Mission, Values, and Competencies.
• Bring forward People and Culture solutions that will improve business results through lowering turnover, increasing retention, developing high-performing Team Members, and keep us improving.
• Earn the trust of Team Members and Managers by consistently embracing CAVA’s values.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and implement People and Culture strategies that support business goals.

Talent Acquisition:

• Develop and implement comprehensive talent acquisition strategies to meet CAVA Foods hiring needs.
• Utilize a variety of sourcing methods, including job boards, social media, networking, and industry events, to identify and engage potential candidates.
• Oversee the screening process, conduct interviews, and assess candidates to ensure a good fit for the organization and its culture.
• Partner with hiring managers to understand their staffing needs and provide guidance on best practices for interviewing and selecting candidates.
• Ensure a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process, providing timely feedback and communication.
• Promote CAVA Foods as an employer of choice through branding initiatives, outreach, and participation in job fairs and networking events.
• Track recruitment metrics, analyze data, and report on the effectiveness of talent acquisition strategies to senior leadership.

Talent Management:

• Create an onboarding program, Team Member check-ins, and oversee all aspects of the onboarding process.
• Develop careers paths and succession planning process for managers.
• Assist with facilitating succession planning to ensure we are proactively planning to avoid talent shortages and that a bench of talent exists.

Performance Management:

• Facilitate performance appraisal processes, providing support and guidance to managers and Team Members, including goal setting, regular check-ins, and annual reviews.
• Provide training and resources to managers and employees on performance management best practices, including effective feedback techniques and performance appraisal methods.
• Assist in the development of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for employees that align with organizational objectives.
• Establish and promote a structured feedback process that encourages open communication and continuous improvement.
• Facilitate the performance review process, ensuring that evaluations are fair, consistent, and aligned with organizational standards.
• Collaborate with managers to create personalized development plans for Team Members based on performance evaluations and career aspirations.
• Develop and promote recognition programs that celebrate Team Member achievements and contributions to CAVA Foods.

Employee Relations:

• Function as a point of contact for Team Member concerns, fostering a transparent and open environment.
• Provide timely and valuable consultation on performance management and employee relations issues.

Training and Development:

• Identify training needs and coordinate learning opportunities to enhance skills and career progression.
• Partner with management and training to ensure all Team Members are progressing in our training and development programs.
• Facilitate content and communication with teams to build understanding at various levels.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations, maintaining accurate HR records and reporting.
• Provide compliance adherence insight based upon experience.
• Manage the implementation and maintenance of time and attendance systems to ensure accurate tracking of Team Member work hours, absences, and leave requests.
• Oversee the collection and maintenance of time and attendance data, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality in all records.
• Develop and enforce attendance policies and procedures that align with organizational goals and legal requirements.
• Generate and analyze reports related to time and attendance, including absenteeism trends, overtime usage, and labor costs, and present findings to management.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations related to timekeeping and employee attendance, including wage and hour laws.
• Work closely with HRIS, payroll, and operations teams to ensure seamless integration of time and attendance data with payroll processes.

Diversity and Inclusion:

• Promote diversity and inclusion initiatives to create a welcoming environment for all Team Members.
• Develop and implement initiatives that foster employee engagement and promote a sense of belonging that is aligned with our Human Connection Strategy.
• Build relationships with external organizations and community partners to enhance diversity and inclusion efforts and promote CAVA Foods commitment to these values.

Policy Review and Development:

• Regularly review and update HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legal standards and alignment with company values.
• Launch a Total Rewards information session.

Project Management:

• Create People and Culture projects from beginning to end, using project management methodologies and tools.
• Manage timeline expectations within and across teams, deliver on our responsibilities accordingly.
• Show discipline in bringing consistent performance, communication, and attitude to the job every day.
• Respond to ad-hoc requests and inquiries to support business leaders.

The Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in HR management, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• PHR/SPHR/SHRM-CP certification preferred.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish) a plus
• Willingness to travel regularly between two facilities.
• Strong knowledge of labor laws, HR best practices, and policy development.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Experience with HR software and tools (e.g., ATS, HRIS).

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to maintain stationary position to be able to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Must be able to identify, analyze and assess details.
• Must be able to occasionally move or transport items up to fifty pounds.
• Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
• The ability to work in varied environmental conditions (dry, cold).
• The ability to stand and work on feet for 8 to 10 hours at a time.
• Must be able to identify, assess and observe detail.
• Ability to squat, kneel, bend and twist.
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary, plus bonus and long-term incentives*
• Early Wage Access*
• Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, plus paid opportunities to give back to the community
• Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more
• 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution
• Company-paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions*
• Free CAVA food
• Casual work environment
• The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand
• All exempt and nonexempt employees are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of service and you have until the day before the effective date to enroll. A new hire can enroll in our benefit program by selecting a link that is emailed directly to the new hire at their personal email address once hired.
• Please note that visa sponsorship is not available. The compensation range posted includes total cash.

*Indicates qualifying eligible positions only

CAVA – Joining “A culture, not a concept”

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice. As an equal opportunity employer, CAVA considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or any other characteristic or protected classes as defined by federal, state, or local law.