The posting
About the Role
Total Wine & More is seeking a Regional HR Director to join our Human Resources team supporting our California market. This role serves as the senior Human Resources leader for one of the company’s largest and most complex operating markets, partnering closely with the Regional Vice President, District Managers, Store Managers, and HR leadership to support business performance, organizational effectiveness, talent development, employee engagement, and employment compliance.
This position is designed for an experienced Human Resources leader with deep expertise in California employment law and a proven track record supporting large-scale, multi-unit retail operations. The successful candidate will bring both strategic HR leadership and practical operational experience, helping leaders navigate California’s complex regulatory environment, build high-performing teams, and reduce organizational risk.
The Regional HR Director serves as a trusted business partner and advisor to field leadership, ensuring Human Resources practices align with business objectives, company culture, and legal requirements. California is the primary focus of this role, although support for a limited number of smaller markets may be assigned as business needs dictate and the company continues to grow. This position reports to the Vice President of Field Human Resources.
This role is based in California, and candidates must reside in California or relocate to California prior to commencing employment.
You will
- Partner with the Regional Vice President and field leadership to translate business priorities into people strategies that support growth, operational excellence, workforce stability, and organizational effectiveness.
- Serve as the primary Human Resources advisor for the California market, providing strategic consultation and practical guidance to leaders at all levels.
- Work with Store Operations and field leadership to support new store openings, workforce readiness, leadership staffing, and organizational scaling initiatives across California and other assigned markets.
- Lead talent strategies across the market, including workforce planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, leadership assessment, internal mobility, talent reviews, and development of strong pipelines for key leadership and specialized store positions.
- Oversee market-wide performance management and development initiatives, including coaching, performance improvement, and leadership development.
- Lead and advise on complex employee relations matters, including workplace investigations, complaints, policy interpretation, performance concerns, corrective action, and separations.
- Serve as the senior Human Resources subject matter expert on California employment law and partner closely with Store Operations, Legal, and Payroll to ensure compliant and sustainable employment practices.
- Lead proactive efforts to identify, assess, and remediate compliance risks involving meal periods, rest breaks, wage-and-hour practices, overtime administration, timekeeping, off-the-clock work, wage statements, final pay, leaves of absence, accommodations, expense reimbursement, and other California employment requirements.
- Partner with field leadership to develop practical operating solutions that strengthen compliance while supporting business objectives and operational effectiveness.
- Analyze workforce data, employee relations trends, compliance metrics, and field observations to identify areas of risk and opportunities for improvement.
- Lead, coach, and develop Human Resources team members supporting the market by setting clear expectations, building capability, and promoting accountability and consistency.
- Collaborate with Talent Acquisition, Compensation, Total Rewards, Payroll, Learning & Development, Legal, and Team Member Relations to deliver effective HR programs and solutions that balance employee experience, operational needs, and risk mitigation.
- Maintain a strong presence in the business through regular store visits, relationship building, and ongoing partnership with leaders throughout California.
- Travel approximately 65–70% throughout California and other assigned markets.
You will come with
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.
- 10+ years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience supporting multi-unit retail organizations, including significant responsibility for large hourly workforces in California.
- Demonstrated expert-level knowledge of California employment law and extensive experience applying California employment requirements within a multi-location operating environment.
- Deep expertise in California wage-and-hour compliance, meal and rest period requirements, timekeeping practices, leave administration, accommodations, workplace investigations, employee relations, performance management, and other employment practices affecting retail operations.
- Demonstrated experience identifying, correcting, and sustaining improvements in California labor compliance practices within a multi-unit retail environment.
- Experience partnering with employment counsel on wage-and-hour matters, PAGA claims, class actions, agency charges, workplace investigations, litigation, or other significant employment-related risks.
- Proven ability to attract, recruit, develop, and retain high-performing talent within a multi-unit retail organization.
- Experience partnering with senior operations leaders to drive organizational effectiveness, leadership capability, and business performance.
- Demonstrated ability to develop strategy and execute plans that support a large frontline organization.
- Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and navigate complex employee relations, compliance, and organizational challenges.
- Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives and leverage workforce analytics and metrics to drive operational and organizational improvements.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, interpersonal, and communication skills.
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop Human Resources professionals.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to serve as a trusted advisor within a dynamic, high-growth retail environment.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple competing priorities.
- Ability to travel extensively throughout California and other assigned markets.
- SPHR, PHR, SHRM-SCP, or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
We offer
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Generous store discounts
- Health care plans (medical, prescription, dental, vision)
- 401(k), HSA, FSA, Pre-tax commuter benefits
- Disability & life insurance coverage
- Paid parental leave
- Pet insurance
- Critical illness and accident insurance
- Discounted home and auto insurance
- College tuition assistance
- Career development & product training
- Consumer classes
- & More!
Crafted for you
We recognize our team members are our biggest asset, and we value the critical role each play in contributing to the company’s success. It is our commitment to support and provide access to the resources needed to take care of their health and wellbeing. That is why we offer a variety of benefits, tools, and resources to support through our Total Rewards program. To view our full career page, click here: https://careers.totalwine.com/!
Total Wine & More considers several factors when establishing compensation. Compensation may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, market location, job-related knowledge, skills and/or experience. The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location. Estimated salaries determined by third parties have not been validated by Total Wine & More.
Total Wine & More is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Total Wine & More makes reasonable accommodations during all aspects of the employment process, including during the interview process. Total Wine & More is a Drug Free Workplace.
The information provided above indicates the general nature and level of work required of the position and is not a comprehensive list of all responsibilities or qualifications. Benefits list is only a highlight of some of the benefits offered to team members; eligibility for certain benefits apply. The anticipated close date of this posting is 120 days from the posted date indicated above.
Worker Type:
Regular
Pay Range:
$143,100.00 - $189,150.00 Annual
