HR Investigations Lead (FT)

• Initiates, conducts timely, and thorough investigations on complaints made to Human Resources of supervisory and corporate level management, Store Director and as assigned.
• Maintains records of complaints within Employee Relations Management System (ERMS).
• Coordinates investigations with HR and management tracking progress until its resolution while meeting the Company’s standards for resolution.
• Maintain confidentiality of all internal investigations, employee litigated claims DFEH, and EEOC etc., including maintaining information received through attorney, attorney client privileged, confidential.
• Access facts and provide resolutions for response letters.
• Supervise the investigation specialist to include but not limited to assisting the investigation specialist in meeting the job requirements and creating evaluations.
• Communicates with Store HR/Safety Compliance Specialist via phone or email to ensure follow through on investigation interviews, statements, and resolution/conclusion.
• Ensures all Investigations Specialists are conducting investigations with accuracy, and all allegations are addressed.
• Ensure all Investigations Specialists are collecting all investigation documentation and uploading to ERMS system.
• Meets as needed, but no less than weekly, with Investigations Specialists, HR Supervisors, Assistant HR Director, and Director of HR to discuss new reports and updates on open investigations.
• Provides guidance to management to ensure understanding, consistent interpretation of policies, consistent approach to performance management, and disciplinary issues related to issues arising from investigations.
• Provide day-to-day support to Director of Human Resources and Chief People Officer managing litigation, federal and state agency inquiries, employment matters and internal compliance initiatives.
• Work directly with outside counsel, Corporate Management and HR with all employment legal matters, achieving internal initiatives and research.
• Provides recommendations on revision to policies on team member handbook.
• Train HR team on conducting legal internal investigations and address non-compliance investigation procedures.
• Stay current on federal and state employment laws and updates which has an impact on Vallarta Supermarkets.
• Compile, analyze, and manage information and data related to internal reports including PowerPoint as requested.
• Prepare quarterly reports of mandatory sexual harassment prevention training for HR Supervisors.
• Prepare new materials for training related to employment laws and HR policies, and update as approved.
• Travel required to different stores/locations; at times with short notice.

• Must be able to exemplify Vallarta’s Core Values (Customer Service, Commitment, Integrity, Respect, Humility, Teamwork)
• Understanding of English and Spanish language; read, write, and speak.
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license.
• Strong knowledge of US employment-related laws, rules, regulations, and guidance.
• Investigations experience; experience assessing and solving sensitive team member relations matters.
• Effective professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized with attention to accuracy and detail.
• Excellent collaborator with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ambassador for compliance-related activities; must possess pragmatic business-oriented approach to problem solving.
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with complete discretion; commitment to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct.
• Ability to influence all levels of management to initiate positive change.
• Ability to handle multiple responsibilities efficiently.
• Self-directed with the ability to work independently as well as with groups.
• Ability to identify risk and assist in finding creative solutions.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work with a sense of urgency.
• Strong team player, and a personal presence characterized by an ability to motivate and inspire confidence.
• Ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload.
• Ability to exercise good judgment under pressure.
• Strong team player.
• Experience conducting HR audits.

• 2 years of progressive experience in employee relations/complaint investigation.
• Experience in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferred but not required.
• Human Resources certification preferred but not required.

As of 2022, Vallarta counts on 53 stores throughout California (Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Kern, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Orange, and Fresno counties), and more than 8,000 team members. The Gonzalez family promises to continue to strive for excellence in everything we do so that our valued customers always have a Vallarta supermarket to call their own.From one small carnicería in Van Nuys in 1985 to 53 full-service markets across California, Vallarta Supermarkets is a living, breathing tribute to the hard work and customer dedication of our founding family and all of our valued employees.Vallarta Supermarkets was founded by Enrique Gonzalez Sr., who was later joined in the business by his four brothers, his son and nephew. Their family roots and humble origins began in the tiny town of Jalostotitlán, Jalisco, Mexico, where Enrique and his brothers were raised on a meager farm. Their parents instilled in them at very young ages the importance of family and the power of a strong work ethic to overcome challenges.When the opportunity arose to immigrate in the 1960’s, the Gonzalez family was thankful to stake their claim in the “land of opportunity,” the United States of America. Right away, the five brothers got to work in restaurants, either as short-order cooks or bussing tables. Even though some of the brothers were still in school, they all worked to help the family make ends meet.In 1985, Enrique Gonzalez Sr. began his journey in the grocery business when he opened Carniceria Vallarta in a 1,000 sq. ft market in Van Nuys, CA. He focused on selling the traditional cuts of meats popular in his native Mexico with an emphasis on unequaled quality and the friendliest of customer service. He soon expanded the business to a second location and brought his four brothers into the business. From there the adventure truly began, as they worked together as a family to build both a reputation for excellence and a successful business.The Gonzalez brothers believed that the key to Vallarta’s success would be to combine elevated customer service with the highest quality products to serve the growing Hispanic community whose needs may not be addressed by big chain stores.That’s why, from the beginning, Vallarta Supermarkets offered a wider variety of the freshest, traditional foods from Mexico, and Central and South America than any other store. They offered specialty and traditional items customers couldn’t find anywhere else: cut-to-order Latin-style meats (ranchera, diesmillo, lomo de res), spices, fresh fruit and produce, delicious prepared foods, pan dulce made daily, plus everything else you would expect from a traditional grocery store. Fast forward to today where Vallarta has expanded its offerings to include a juice and aquas frescas bar, tortilleria, bakery (panaderia), a cevicheria and more.