HR Specialist – Talent & Operations

Japanese Bilingual skill required Position: HR Specialist – Talent & Operations Location: Brea, CA **The office will move to Cerritos CA in Feb. 2026 Salary: $93,600/year (Exempt) Department: Human Resources Overview Our client is looking for a HR specialist! The HR Specialist supports the full employee lifecycle with a strong focus on high-volume recruiting for restaurant locations. This role includes hiring, onboarding, HR operations , and partnering with Unit Managers to ensure smooth staffing and compliance. Key Responsibilities Talent Acquisition Lead full-cycle hiring for hourly to management roles. Conduct on-site interviews and hiring events at restaurant locations. Build pipelines for high-turnover roles and new store openings. Create job postings, screen candidates, interview, and coordinate offers. Track recruiting metrics and partner with local schools and organizations. Onboarding & HR Operations Manage background checks, I-9s, and onboarding paperwork. Support or lead new hire orientation. Maintain HRIS records and file compliance. Assist payroll/benefits teams with employee questions. People Support Support Unit Managers on HR processes, interview practices, and labor law basics. Provide guidance on employee relations issues. Offer general HR support across the department as needed. Required Qualifications Bilingual: Japanese & English Strong communication and customer service skills Experience in restaurant or hospitality operations Comfortable with fast-paced, high-volume recruiting Preferred Experience in Japanese restaurants or food wholesale Experience with new store openings Multi-location HR or operations support Work Environment Frequent visits to restaurant locations (includes kitchen areas) Travel within Southern California required