Manager, HR Operations

Position Overview:

As Manager, HR Operations at Caribou Coffee, you are a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for core HR functions including benefits, compensation, and team member support. You lead a team of analysts and coordinators to ensure the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and engaging HR services across the full team member lifecycle.

This role plays a critical part in shaping how team members experience Caribou's culture and feel valued-through thoughtful program design, responsive support, and consistent execution. The Manager drives operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement, while fostering a collaborative and inclusive team culture. This role partners closely with HR leadership, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to ensure programs are competitive, efficient, and aligned with Caribou's values.

Core Responsibilities:

Compensation Strategy & Execution

• Provide strategic oversight of Caribou Coffee's compensation programs, ensuring alignment with business goals, talent priorities, and market competitiveness.

• Collaborate with the CHRO and external consultants to refine scalable, equitable pay structures and incentive plans that attract top talent.

• Lead executive compensation planning, including benchmarking and program design.

• Guide annual compensation cycles-including merit and incentive planning-through effective budgeting, modeling, and financial stewardship.

• Monitor market trends and regulatory changes to inform program enhancements and ensure compliance.

Benefits Strategy & Execution

• Lead the strategic design, implementation, and administration of Caribou Coffee's health, welfare, retirement, and wellness benefits programs to ensure competitiveness, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with company values.

• Ensure governance and compliance across all benefit programs, including oversight of audits, filings and regulatory charges.

• Oversee vendor relationships and contract negotiations, ensuring service quality, compliance, and alignment with company goals.

• Guide the development of benefits communications and education strategies to clarity and engagement.

• Evaluate program performance and utilization to inform continuous enhancements.

HR Operations & Systems Administration

• Oversee the administration and optimization of HR ticketing systems, ensuring data integrity, process efficiency, and a seamless user experience.

• Coordinate cyclical activities such as audits, compliance filings, and system upgrades.

• Ensure documentation standards are upheld across HR process including employment verifications, unemployment claims, and regulatory reporting.

• Collaborate with IT, vendors, and internal stakeholders to enhance system functionality and support evolving business needs.

• Monitor and analyze HR operational metric to identify trends, inform strategic decisions, and drive continuous improvement across HR processes.

People Leadership

• Lead, direct, and mentor a team of direct reports, ensuring they have the guidance and strategic direction needed to perform their duties effectively and in alignment with organizational goals and priorities.

• Take ownership of the team's deliverables, ensuring high-quality work that meets business needs and aligns with organizational priorities.

• Set performance expectations and regularly monitor progress, providing constructive feedback and coaching as needed.

• Foster a positive team culture that encourages collaboration, accountability, and adherence to Caribou's core values, leading by example in demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a strong work ethic.

• Serve as a champion for organizational change, effectively communicating the vision, rationale, and benefits of transformation initiatives. Lead a team through periods of change with clarity and confidence, fostering resilience and adaptability.

Skills and Requirements:

• Bring the Core Values to life in all that you do: Support One Another, Make Fun Happen, Be Yourself, Take Ownership, Serve with Love

• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-informed recommendations

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for employee education and vendor coordination

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and annual cycles

• Comfortable partnering with internal and external partners

• High level of accuracy in compliance, documentation, and reporting

• Responsive and empathetic

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

• 5+ years' progressive experience in human resources

• Proven experience leading and developing teams, with a track record of setting clear expectations, coaching for performance, and fostering a collaborative culture.

• Strong understanding of benefits, compensation, and HR compliance

Preferred:

• Experience in a multi-state retail or QSR environment

• Workday or similar HRIS experience

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Caribou or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.