Hr Generalist

MìLà is a Chinese food company. Our teams work tirelessly to enhance delicious products that we all enjoy at home! While MìLà is a Chinese food brand, it’s really a celebration of the power of food to bring us together, share our stories, and discover new flavors and cultures.

History

You may remember us as Xiao Chi Jie, or XCJ. We opened in 2018 as Xiao Chi Jie, a restaurant in Bellevue, WA, where we shared the amazing ingredients, recipes, and flavors of our Chinese heritage. Since then, we’ve grown, and so has our passion for what we do.

In 2023, XCJ became MìLà. As we evolved, we wanted a new name that felt authentically Chinese but could keep growing with us. MìLà means honey (mi 蜜) and spice (la 辣) in Chinese. We’re the same small team, making the same insanely delicious products, just with a new look.

Our Mission

Our mission is to build something that feels authentically and uniquely true to our roots as a Chinese-American-founded brand. Something we can own, but that’s also meant to be shared. One of the things we love about Chinese food is that it’s traditionally served family-style—shared with everyone gathered at the table. MìLà is a Chinese food brand, but it’s really a celebration of the power of food to bring us together, share our stories, and discover new flavors and cultures.

Employee Culture & Core Values

At MìLà, our Core Values are the guiding principles of how we succeed together. What brought us here keeps us going - we are a finely tuned group of people that are given the freedom to bring their A-game to work every single day.

We have remained collaborative, transparent, and a little witty to keep it real! We hire top talent that achieves big audacious goals. When we are done, we celebrate and soak in all we accomplished together. Then we get up and do it all over again - because there is nothing like climbing a mountain with a team that holds these 7 Core Values close to their hearts:

Craft: We go about our work like craftspeople: we are rigorous and obsessive, and we go the extra mile. We put care into each detail to create quality products and services.

Truth Seeker: It’s about being right, not about having been right. We maximize the probability of finding the truth by asking questions and seeking more data if we’re unsure. We have strong opinions, loosely held: We are always open to new information.

Judgment: We make wise decisions despite ambiguity. We use data to inform our choices. We look beyond symptoms to identify underlying systemic issues. We spend money as if it was our own. We understand how reversibility affects decision-making: If a decision were not reversible, it needs to have higher confidence of success than if it were reversible.

Teamwork: We are like a professional sports team that seeks alignment and collaboration to achieve the best outcome. We are reliable. We spend time over communicating and providing context at the beginning of projects to ensure everyone understands the goal. We check in regularly to ensure progress.

Ownership: We are all CEOs. We find and address potential hazards before they turn into problems. We do and complete what we say we will do.

Innovation: We try new approaches, not just what has been proven before. We strive to improve things at each stage. We strive to problem solve from a clean perspective: with first principles thinking.

Get Sh*t Done: We are biased toward action. No job is too small.

Job Summary

The Human Resources Generalist is responsible for supporting daily activities in the HR Department including benefits and leaves administration, recruiting and onboarding, routine employee relations issues and ensuring consistency with company policy among teams.

This position is invaluable in continuing to build upon our positive company culture (ENPS in the 80s!). They will support employee development, and effective task execution, show respect and empathy, and focus on the details of building infrastructure for successful growth. It is a rewarding role that will support employees during their tenure. The HR Generalist will provide continued enhancement to the HR Department which is growing and being built upon the best HR practices. This person will be strong with people, communication, problem-solving, processes, and technology and will be under the general supervision of the Head of Talent & Culture (T&C).

Duties/Responsibilities

• Have a solid understanding of HR processes with the ability to quickly and compliantly administer on-going projects in the HR Department on a regular basis
• Manages routine tasks required to administer and execute human resource programs including but not limited to compensation, benefits, and leave; disciplinary matters; disputes and investigations; performance and talent management; recognition and morale; occupational health and safety; and training and development
• Is thoughtfully responsive to all inquiries, managing issues up as needed, and closing inquiries quickly
• Have been exposed to best practices in employee relations issues and is eager to learn more
• Manages routine employee relations issues, with the aptitude to learn to handle complex and sensitive matters
• Uses HR technology and provides suggested updates to internal SOPs, and maintains compliant procedures with regulatory requirements
• Works cross-functionally with Accounting, Finance, IT, Facilities, and Safety to improve services to employees and makes recommendations for improvements. Takes on some of the work as directed by supervisor
• Recruits, interviews, and facilitates hiring in Manufacturing. Is familiar with best practices of interviewing
• Conducts pre-employment checks and onboarding activities for new hires
• Coordinates on-site training needs and reviews, tracks, and documents compliance with mandatory and non-mandatory training, continuing education, and work assessments (including safety training, anti-harassment training, etc)
• The position is required to be onsite, as our manufacturing and production employees will be on-site
• Other duties as assigned

Skills & Abilities

• Strong computer skills are required
• Google preferred (Gsheets, Gdocs, Gslides, Gdrive), Microsoft acceptable
• Previous use of HRIS, Payroll, Benefits Administration, and Applicant Tracking System
• softwareStrong verbal and written communication skills, required
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills with the ability to meet deadlines, required
• Acts with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality at all times, required
• Thorough knowledge of WA employment-related laws and regulations desired
• Speaks Spanish, desired but not required

You would be a great fit if you:

• Are motivated by the ability to make a big impact at an early-stage startup, and are comfortable in a dynamic startup environment where you have to navigate ambiguity
• Are a self-starter who can operate with minimal structure / hand-holding as long as you’re given clear context and objectives
• Are comfortable receiving and giving feedback / managing up - we value transparency
• Have high EQ and thrive under pressure - you might even enjoy a little bit of chaos
• Have strong organizational skills and are a scrappy generalist who can wear multiple hats and figure things out
• Are willing to grind and put in long hours if / when necessary - we care about work/life balance but want to build with people who are as passionate about the business as we are, not people who are looking for a “clock in, clock out” job

Education & Experience

• 4 - 5 years experience in Human Resources
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Communication Studies or related field required OR 2 - 4 years of additional experience in the field instead of degree
• HRCI or SHRM certification desired, not required

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• May be exposed to a loud and cold working environment when in the Food Production Facility
• Must be able to lift 10 pounds at times
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities, walking frequently

Why you should join us!

• Great company culture with an ENPS score in the 80s+!
• Employer-funded health benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance. The company covers 75% of employee premiums & 25% of dependent premiums
• Voluntary/optional employee-paid group insurance for Life & AD&D (with guarantee issue amounts at time of hire), Hospital, and Short Term Disability

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Auburn, WA 98001: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person