KINDRED MOTORWORKS, INC. Human Resources Director Vallejo, CA · Full time

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Company Overview

Kindred is a rapidly growing, venture backed start-up focused on unlocking the conversion of gasoline vehicles to electric using our technology and scale.

We are marketing folks, technicians, software developers, mechanical engineers, designers, painters, and car lovers. We love a whiff of gasoline and we geek out about the torque provided by electric motors. Above all we believe the world is a better place with vintage cars out on the road.

We strive to create a meaningful workplace at Kindred, which means something different for each of our team members. For some, it’s getting these immortal vehicles on the road. For others it’s the portion of revenue we donate to our local community for every vehicle sold. For many at Kindred, it’s the inclusive work environment we’ve created.

Our cars create joyful experiences for our customers and immense pride for our team. If you can match our passion, values, and work ethic, we want you!

Position Summary

As the HR Director and Kindred’s first Head of Human resources, you will be responsible for building out the HR infrastructure and nurturing and building a healthy, values-based work culture as you define the long-term people strategy. You will take the lead on org design, talent management, compensation, culture and engagement, compliance, policy creation/ implementation and safety. You will also partner with management to resolve employee relations issues, drive processes to support growth and development and increase engagement. This is an onsite role with the possibility of up to 2 days of remote work per week after 6 months of employment, reporting to the CEO. This role will partner closely with our HR Strategic Consultant and oversee two roles, the People Operations Specialist and Office Operations Specialist.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Act as a trusted advisor to Kindred’s Leadership Team, strengthening cross-functional collaboration and team effectiveness, and ensuring the Kindred values are alive and well in the team’s day-to-day interactions
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of Kindred’s purpose and growth strategy – create a People strategy to scale the business and drive employee engagement, retention and performance
• Implement talent management processes and supporting HR technology, covering talent acquisition, goal-setting, performance feedback and calibration, growth and development and succession planning
• Bring Kindred’s compensation philosophy to life through annual comp + benefit planning and a consistent approach to mid-year compensation changes
• Provide balanced leadership as a member of management as well as an employee advocate – help management connect the dots on resolving systemic issues and move forward with fair and consistent people practices
• Create strong relationships at all levels of the business - determine when and how to intervene at the individual, team or company level
• Coach people leaders on the effective use of positive employee relations approaches and practices and provide day-to-day guidance on performance management (career development, coaching, counseling, and progressive discipline)
• Work in close collaboration with the People Operations Specialist on the development and implementation of culture and workplace practices
• Lead processes and activities to ensure that team members are actively engaged, trust their leadership, feel listened to, recognized, and have challenging work
• Anticipate and proactively address potential issues
• Provide mentorship and coaching to the People Team
• Provide support and guidance relating to all areas of HR Admin: payroll and timekeeping, legal and policy compliance/reporting, worker’s comp, benefits, document management etc.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• 7-10 years of experience of progressive HR generalist experience
• Prior experience implementing HR strategy in a startup environment
• Prior experience managing people and projects in a manufacturing environment
• Passion for building new brands and reinforcing company culture at every HR touchpoint – ability to zero in on and amplify what makes Kindred a great place to work
• Ability to earn the trust of leaders and employees from diverse backgrounds
• Passion for rolling up your sleeves to do whatever needs to be done
• Demonstrated ability to shine light onto leadership blind spots and influence improved outcomes at all levels
• Ability to consistently bring an optimistic, energetic, and solution-oriented approach to your day-to-day
• Capable of communicating effectively and widely to all levels of the organization
• A pattern of collaboration and proactive business partnering to achieve results
• Knowledge and experience with Federal and California employment law – CA/Fed leaves of absence, Workers’ Comp, ADA, EEO, FLSA, etc.

Desired Skills

• Bilingual – fluent in Spanish and English
• Passion for or experience in the Motor Vehicle or EV Manufacturing industries
• Passion and experience for engaging employees at all levels to drive business results

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Walking, sitting, standing, bending, and stooping. Lifting, carrying, or pushing/pulling supplies, materials, equipment and/or items weighing up to 40 pounds. Clean and well-organized unconditioned shop environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but at times requires ear plugs, use of eye protection, and/or occasional use of a respirator.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

You are welcome at Kindred for who you are, no matter where you come from or what you look like. The more voices we include in our business, the more we will achieve together. So bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It's in our differences that we find our inspiration to enjoy the ride.