Senior HR Generalist - New Jersey

Senior HR Generalist

Position Overview
We are seeking a seasoned and highly motivated Senior HR Generalist to serve as the primary HR resource supporting multiple locations across California and New Jersey within our cannabis operations. This is a dynamic, hands-on role that requires a strategic thinker with strong operational capabilities and a deep commitment to people-first practices.

The Senior HR Generalist will be responsible for the full employee life cycle — from recruitment and onboarding through development, performance management, and offboarding — while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, including the highly regulated requirements unique to the cannabis industry. This individual will act as a trusted advisor and business partner to managers and employees alike, promoting a positive, inclusive, and compliant workplace culture.

This role requires exceptional communication skills, the ability to juggle multiple priorities across geographically dispersed locations, and the flexibility to travel to each site as business needs dictate. Cannabis industry experience is strongly preferred, given the complex regulatory environment in which we operate.

Key Responsibilities

Employee Life Cycle Management

• Oversee all aspects of the employee life cycle across all multiple locations, ensuring a consistent and high-quality HR experience for every employee.
• Partner closely with hiring managers to manage full-cycle recruitment, including job postings, candidate screening, interviewing, offer letters, and background checks.
• Design and deliver an engaging and compliant new hire onboarding experience that sets employees up for success from day one.
• Manage all offboarding processes, including conducting exit interviews, processing separations, and analyzing turnover trends to inform retention strategies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records in the HRIS, ensuring data integrity across all locations.

Employee Relations & Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for employees and managers regarding HR policies, workplace concerns, and conflict resolution.
• Conduct thorough and impartial investigations into employee complaints, grievances, and disciplinary matters; recommend and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture through proactive employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and feedback mechanisms.
• Coach and counsel managers on effective communication, team dynamics, and people management best practices.
• Develop and facilitate HR-related training for managers and staff, including topics such as harassment prevention, workplace safety, and performance management.
• Promote and support employee wellness and work-life balance across all locations.

Compliance & HR Policy

• Ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws across both California and New Jersey jurisdictions, including but not limited to FMLA, ADA, EEO, FLSA, and state-specific leave laws.
• Stay current on cannabis-specific employment regulations in CA and NJ, proactively advising leadership on compliance obligations and changes in law.
• Develop, update, and enforce HR policies and procedures in the employee handbook and policy library.
• Partner with legal counsel on employment matters, including responses to regulatory agencies and employment-related claims.
• Oversee I-9 and work authorization compliance for all locations.
• Maintain and manage applicable employment posters, notices, and required state/local disclosures at all sites.

Performance Management

• Administer and continuously improve the performance review process, including goal-setting, mid-year check-ins, and year-end evaluations.
• Guide managers through performance improvement plan (PIP) development and administration, ensuring consistency and documentation.
• Identify performance trends and collaborate with leadership to address systemic issues and recognize high performers.
• Support succession planning efforts and help develop career pathways for employees at all levels.

Benefits & Compensation

• Partner with the benefits team or broker to administer employee benefits programs, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and ancillary offerings.
• Serve as the primary resource for employees regarding benefits enrollment, changes, and inquiries.
  Assist in administering leave of absence programs, including FMLA, state-specific leaves (CA PDL, CFRA, NJ FLA), disability, and personal leaves.
• Support compensation reviews and market benchmarking efforts to ensure equitable and competitive pay practices.
• Process salary changes, promotions, and personnel action forms in the HRIS.

HR Operations & Reporting

• Maintain, audit, and optimize HR systems and processes to ensure operational efficiency across all locations.
• Generate and analyze HR metrics and reports (turnover, headcount, time-to-fill, engagement scores) and present insights to leadership.
• Manage personnel files and documentation in compliance with state and federal retention requirements.
• Support payroll processing by providing timely and accurate employee data changes to the payroll team.
  Lead or support special HR projects and initiatives as assigned, including system implementations, policy rollouts, and DEI programs.

Multi-Site & Travel

• Serve as the dedicated HR partner for all multiple locations, building strong relationships with site managers and employees at each facility.
• Travel to California and New Jersey locations on a regular basis to conduct site visits, HR audits, employee meetings, and trainings.
• Adapt HR strategies and communications to reflect the unique culture and needs of each location while maintaining company-wide consistency.
• Act as a visible and accessible HR resource for employees at all sites, whether in person or remotely.

Qualifications

Required

• 5–7 years of progressive HR Generalist experience, with demonstrated expertise across multiple HR disciplines.
• Willingness to be hybrid - 2 days a week on site at the New Jersey office.
• Working knowledge of employment laws and regulations in both California and New Jersey; multi-state HR experience strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing employee relations issues, including investigations, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution.
• Strong understanding of benefits administration, leave management, and compensation practices.
• Experience supporting a multi-site or multi-location workforce.
• Proficiency with HRIS platforms and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
  
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
• Ability and willingness to travel to all locations as needed (estimated 20–30% travel).

Preferred

• Prior HR experience in the cannabis industry, including familiarity with state cannabis licensing, track-and-trace systems, and regulated workforce compliance.
• PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, or SHRM-SCP certification.
• Experience working with unionized or represented workforces.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate diversity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. The company reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.