Director of People and Culture (HR)

Description Middleby Coffee manufactures commercial espresso and bean-to-cup equipment under the Synesso and Concordia brands — two names with genuine reputations in the specialty coffee world. Synesso is celebrated for exceptional engineering and durability, empowering baristas to craft outstanding espresso. Concordia is built for speed and consistency, delivering an elevated coffee experience at scale. The Role

This is a standalone People (HR) Director role reporting directly to the President. You will own the complete people function — from strategy and culture to recruiting, performance, payroll, benefits, and compliance. Support resources are available through corporate systems and internal stakeholders, but this position owns it all. That's intentional. We're building something, and the person in this role needs to understand every layer of it.
The person we're replacing built something real — 8 years with the company, the last 18 months as a close partner to the President. She earned trust with the floor and the executive team alike, and left a foundation worth continuing and deepening. We're looking for someone who can carry that forward with the same care and raise the bar.
What You'll Own

Executive Partnership & People Strategy

Serve as a genuine advisor and business partner to the President — not an order-taker, but a voice that brings perspective, pushes back when needed, and translates business goals into people decisions
Collaborate with the leadership team in workforce planning and organizational design as the company continues to evolve
Help identify gaps in team effectiveness and drive structural and cultural improvements to close them
Use data and insight to inform talent decisions, workforce planning, and long-term organizational health
Talent Acquisition

Own full-cycle recruiting — from creative sourcing strategy through offer and onboarding
Build proactive pipelines, not just reactive job postings; know the Seattle talent market
Partner closely with hiring managers to define what great looks like before the search begins
Deliver a consistent, high-quality candidate experience that reflects the Middleby Coffee brand
Onboarding & Employee Experience

Lead a best-in-class onboarding experience that sets employees up for success from day one
Create early engagement strategies that reflect company values and culture
Continuously improve the employee experience across the full lifecycle
Performance Management & Leadership Development

Run the performance management cycle with consistency and quality — goals, check-ins, reviews, and the hard conversations in between
Partner with managers to elevate the quality of performance conversations, feedback, and accountability
Strengthen leadership capability- coach managers to become confident, effective leaders who drive performance and engagement
Identify and develop high-potential talent; support succession planning for key roles
Use performance and feedback data to inform development plans and organizational decisions
Culture & Employee Relations

Be present and trusted — on the floor, in the office, across all levels of the organization
Drive employee engagement initiatives that are genuine, not performative
Handle employee relations matters with fairness, sound judgment, and care
Champion continuous improvement as a cultural value (Kaizen mindset — a Gemba walker at heart)
Compensation, Benefits, Payroll & HR Operations

Own and manage compensation and benefits programs, ensuring competitiveness and compliance
Oversee payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
Administer leave programs (FMLA, state-specific leaves, etc.)
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations
Maintain HR systems, employee records, and data integrity across platforms (e.g., Paylocity)
Develop and deliver regular HR reporting on key metrics: headcount, turnover, hiring, and KPIs that align HR performance with business outcomes
Maintain compliance across multi-state employment requirements; serve as internal subject matter expert on employment law
Who You Are

High emotional intelligence — the kind that earns trust from the C-suite and the shop floor in equal measure
A self-starter who builds process and structure where it doesn't exist, and improves it where it does
Comfortable with ambiguity and energized by a turnaround environment
Hands-on executor — there is no job too small or too meaningless to be done, no task beneath you
Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to translate vision into action
Exceptional relationship builder, communicator, and coach
Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Why This Role

This is not a maintenance role. It's a builder's role at a company with strong brands, a capable leadership team, and real momentum. You'll have direct access to the President, the Corporate HR team, genuine influence over the culture and trajectory of the organization, and the satisfaction of knowing that what you build matters Requirements

Who We're Looking For

Experience & Background

Proven experience in a standalone or near-standalone HR role — you've built structure, not just operated within it
Background in manufacturing, industrial, or technical commercial environments strongly preferred
PNW-based with deep familiarity with the Seattle talent market and employment landscape
Multi-state employment experience; comfortable navigating varying compliance requirements
Bachelor's degree in a related field; equivalent experience will be considered
SHRM-CP/SCP or PHR/SPHR certification preferred
Exceptional empathy, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Perks and Benefits:
Unlimited Free Coffee on site and      opportunity to work around people with passion for coffee!
Generous Paid time off
Medical, Dental, Vision
10 Paid Holidays
Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching
Medical, Dental, Vision insurance
Paid for Life insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability