Director of Human Resources

For over 111 years, Y. Hata has proudly supported Hawaiʻi’s foodservice industry as a trusted, locally owned, family-run business. Our legacy is built not only on excellence, but on lasting relationships, tradition, and a deep commitment to our community.

At Y. Hata, we’re dedicated to providing a purpose-driven workplace where every team member is embraced as part of our ʻOhana, and where dedication and heart are met with opportunity, support, and growth. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on cultivating a positive, engaging culture rooted in our Core Values — one where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to thrive.

If you’re looking to make a meaningful impact and grow with purpose, we invite you to become part of the next chapter in our legacy of heart and excellence.

Position Summary

The Director of Human Resources provides strategic oversight for the Company’s Human Resources and Organizational Development functions. This position establishes enterprise-wide people strategies, organizational effectiveness initiatives, talent management frameworks, and workforce planning practices that support the Company’s long-term business objectives.

The Director serves as a strategic advisor to Executive Leadership on workforce, organizational, leadership, and culture-related matters while ensuring alignment between business strategy, talent strategy, and organizational capability. Through the leadership of the Human Resources Manager and Director of Organizational Development & Effectiveness, this role drives a high-performing, engaged, and future-ready workforce.

Essential Duties

• Provides strategic direction for the Human Resources and Organizational Development & Effectiveness functions, ensuring alignment with the Company's strategic objectives, workforce priorities, and long-term business goals.
• Establishes the enterprise people strategy and organizational priorities necessary to support business growth, operational excellence, leadership effectiveness, and workforce sustainability.
• Leads and develops the Human Resources Manager and Director of Organizational Development & Effectiveness, establishing strategic direction, performance expectations, resource alignment, and accountability for departmental results.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to Executive Leadership on workforce, organizational, leadership, succession, and culture-related matters, providing insight and recommendations that support informed business decisions.
• Partners with Executive Leadership to evaluate organizational effectiveness, assess future workforce needs, and identify opportunities to strengthen organizational capability and leadership capacity.
• Provides oversight of enterprise workforce strategies, ensuring alignment between business objectives, talent requirements, and organizational capabilities.
• Guides the development of succession planning and leadership continuity strategies to support long-term organizational stability and business performance.
• Sponsors enterprise-wide culture, engagement, and organizational effectiveness initiatives that reinforce the Company's Mission, Vision, Core Values, and desired leadership behaviors.
• Champions change leadership and organizational readiness efforts to support strategic business initiatives, operational transformation, and continuous improvement.
• Reviews organizational trends, workforce metrics, and business challenges to identify strategic risks, opportunities, and priorities impacting the workforce and organizational performance.
• Represents Human Resources and Organizational Development & Effectiveness in executive planning discussions, providing strategic perspective on organizational implications, workforce considerations, and business initiatives.
• Ensures appropriate governance, accountability, and stewardship of Human Resources and Organizational Development resources, programs, and investments.
• Uses the Company's Mission/Vision Statements and Core Values as their guiding principles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• At least 7 years of related experience in Human Resources Management, Organizational Development & Effectiveness, or related strategic functions to include demonstrated leadership responsibility. 
• Strong vendor negotiation experience at senior or executive levels. 

Why You’ll Love Working at Y. Hata

We believe our employees deserve more than just a paycheck. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support your well-being, growth, and success — both on and off the job.

• Rewarding Compensation – Competitive pay, merit increases, and flexible pay options.
• Your Health Matters – Robust medical, vision, and life insurance; EAP support.
• Time to Recharge – PTO, paid holidays, and floating holidays.
• More Than Just Perks – Paid parking, safety gear, uniforms, celebrations, discounts.
• Investing in You – Tuition assistance and development opportunities.
• Plan for Tomorrow – 401(k), Roth 401(k), and After-Tax 401(k) with company match.