Employment Counsel and Director of Associate Relations

The Employment Counsel and Director of Associate Relations plays a critical dual-role in shaping a compliant, inclusive, and high-performing workplace across our California operations. This hybrid position blends employment law expertise with strategic HR leadership, providing both legal counsel and hands-on people support. You will serve as a trusted advisor to HR and business leaders—offering legal guidance on employment-related matters while also leading associate relations, employee engagement, and compliance initiatives. From managing complex employee issues and internal investigations to supporting benefits administration and driving consistent HR practices, this role is key to fostering a fair, respectful, and legally sound workplace. Your ability to interpret and apply California labor law in real-world people practices will help ensure both compliance and a positive employee experience.

Essential Duties:

• Provide day-to-day legal counsel to HR and business leaders on a wide range of employment matters, including hiring, performance management, discipline, terminations, accommodations, leaves of absence, and wage and hour compliance.
• Lead the Associate Relations function, ensuring consistent, fair, and legally compliant handling of employee matters across the organization.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex associate relations concerns, conducting thorough investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or other workplace misconduct.
• Provide pragmatic and consistent guidance to managers on sensitive employee issues including grievances, attendance, performance management, and workplace conduct.
• Raise proactive HR and legal issues with leaders and recommend practical, compliant action plans to address and resolve workplace concerns.
• Act as a strategic partner to regional and branch leaders by building strong business relationships and demonstrating both legal expertise and business acumen.
• Manage and lead complex, cross-functional HR projects, balancing both legal and people strategy considerations.
• Partner with HR and Legal to identify workforce trends and proactively address root causes through policy updates, training, or organizational improvements.
• Collaborate with the recruitment team and Managed Service Providers to support talent selection efforts, including engagement with local community job groups.
• Conduct and continuously improve onboarding programs and employee education efforts, including trainings on policies, benefits, and diversity-related initiatives.
• Administer employee benefits in collaboration with the Total Rewards team, and support wellness-related programming and communications.
• Monitor changes in federal and California labor and employment law, advising business leaders on compliance implications.
• Draft and maintain employment policies, handbooks, and internal procedures to ensure alignment with evolving legislation and organizational needs.
• Partner with outside counsel as needed on employment litigation, administrative agency charges, and other legal matters.
• Deliver targeted training to HR and business leaders on employment law compliance, associate relations best practices, and risk mitigation.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: 

• J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in the California State Bar (or ability to register as in-house counsel in California).
• Minimum of 2 years of employment law experience, ideally gained at a law firm, in-house legal department, or combination thereof.
• Demonstrated knowledge of California labor laws and employment practices.
• Experience handling employee relations matters, either in a legal or HR capacity.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Must be flexible and willing to work the demands of the department which may be subject to evenings, weekends and holidays.

Salary of $120,000 to $170,000, depending on competency, experience, qualifications and skills. 

Corporate Summary: 

At Shamrock Foods Company, people come first – our associates, our customers, and the families we serve across the nation. A privately-held, family-owned and -operated Forbes 500 company, Shamrock is an innovator in the food industry and has been since being founded in Arizona in 1922.

Our Mission: At Shamrock Foods Company, we live by our founding family’s motto to “treat associates like family and customers like friends.”

Why work for us?

Benefits are a major part of your overall compensation, and we believe offering them at an affordable cost is not only the right thing to do, but it helps keep you and your family healthy.  That’s why Shamrock Foods pays for the majority of your health insurance, allowing you to take home more of your paycheck.  And it doesn’t stop there - our associates also enjoy additional benefits such as 401(k) Savings Plan, Profit Sharing, Paid Time Off, as well as our incredible growth opportunities, continued education, and wellness programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Shamrock Foods Co all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Salary

• $120,000 - $170,000