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