HR Generalist

Job Title: Human Resources Generalist

Location: New York, NY (HQ)

Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt

Salary: $67,600–$70,000 annually

About Joe Coffee

Joe Coffee has been part of New York City's fabric since 2003, when Jonathan Rubinstein opened our first café at the corner of Waverly Place and Gay Street in the West Village. We started as the first third-wave coffee café in New York. What kept us going — and what keeps us going now — is the belief that great hospitality starts with great people.

Today we operate cafés across New York City and beyond, roast at Pulley Collective in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and serve thousands of regulars every day. Our tagline is "Where everyone is a regular." We mean it.

About This Role

We're looking for a Human Resources Generalist to join our People & Culture team — someone who believes that how a company treats its people is inseparable from what it puts in the cup.

This is a hands-on HR role supporting the full employee lifecycle across a fast-paced hospitality environment. You'll work closely with our Director of People & Culture and touch every part of the HR function: payroll, recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance.

The right person is empathetic, highly organized, detail-oriented, and genuinely excited about building a workplace where people feel seen and supported.

What You'll Do

Payroll & HR Administration Process weekly payroll, maintain accurate employee records, ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, and generate HR reports for leadership and cross-functional teams.

Recruiting & Employee Lifecycle Manage full-cycle recruitment from job posting to offer. Coordinate onboarding and offboarding processes that reflect Joe's people-first culture. Serve as the primary point of contact for new hires during their first weeks.

Employee Relations Be a trusted, empathetic resource for employees and managers navigating workplace concerns. Support investigations, documentation, and follow-up recommendations alongside the HR Director.

Benefits Administration Administer employee benefit programs, support annual open enrollment, manage leave programs including NYPFL and FMLA, and serve as the primary contact for benefits questions.

Compliance Ensure compliance with applicable employment laws and regulations. Coordinate annual audits including Workers' Compensation, 401(k) compliance testing, and mandatory trainings.

Training & Development Support company-wide training initiatives and help coordinate educational opportunities for employees and managers at all levels.

What You Bring

• 2–3 years of experience in Human Resources, HR Operations, Payroll, or a related role
• Knowledge of federal, New York State, and New York City employment laws preferred
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience with HRIS, payroll, and scheduling systems preferred
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices

Benefits & Perks

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid parental and family leave
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Commuter benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company discounts
• Professional development opportunities
• PTO, paid holidays, and paid sick leave

Equal Opportunity

Joe Coffee Company is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We encourage applicants from historically underrepresented communities to apply and are committed to fostering a workplace grounded in respect, equity, and belonging.