About the Role
We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Payroll & HR Coordinator to join our Finance and Administration team. Reporting directly to the Finance Director and collaborating closely with restaurant general managers, you will manage end-to-end bi-weekly payroll processing for 200+ employees and coordinate essential on-site HR administration.
This is a full-time, 100% on-site role that splits time between our main restaurant office and an administrative warehouse office. The ideal candidate brings strong hospitality payroll experience, working knowledge of California wage and hour regulations, and bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Full-Cycle Payroll Processing: Prepare, verify, and process bi-weekly payroll for 200+ hourly and salaried restaurant employees using ADP TotalSource.
- Tip Compliance & POS Integration: Audit, calculate, and upload bar/server tip pools and direct tip payouts from POS reports and shift spreadsheets into payroll.
- California Labor Compliance: Review timecards for accurate calculation of California overtime, double-time, split-shift premiums, and meal/rest break penalty compliance.
- Onboarding & I-9 Verification: Coordinate new hire packets, review wage notices, complete Form I-9 verifications, and maintain organized, compliant personnel files.
- Offboarding & Final Pay: Process terminations in accordance with California final pay timing requirements.
- Leaves & Benefits Coordination: Administer employee leave requests (EDD, SDI, PFL, FMLA/CFRA, Workers’ Comp) and coordinate annual benefits Open Enrollment.
- Garnishments & Deductions: Process wage garnishments, child support orders, and voluntary deductions in accordance with legal notices.
- Training & Recordkeeping: Track mandatory training compliance, including California Harassment Prevention, Food Handler Cards, and Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) certifications.
- Cash Management: Assist the finance team with daily/weekly bank deposit reconciliation and routine cash management tasks.
- Employee Relations: Serve as an approachable point of contact for staff inquiries regarding paychecks, timecards, tax withholdings, and benefits.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Experience: 2–4 years of hands-on payroll processing experience. Prior experience in the restaurant, hotel, or hospitality industry is strongly preferred.
- Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with ADP (TotalSource preferred) or similar platforms (Gusto, Paychex, Paycom), along with intermediate Excel skills (vlookups, basic formulas, sorting/filtering).
- Education: Associate degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Human Resources, or an equivalent combination of education and direct job experience.
- Language Skills: Bilingual in English and Spanish (strong verbal and conversational written communication required to assist team members).
- Regulatory Knowledge: Working familiarity with California wage and hour laws, tip compliance, and meal/rest period guidelines.
- Professional Discretion: High integrity and proven ability to handle sensitive, confidential financial and personnel data.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
- Standard office work within a bustling restaurant office and a secondary on-site administrative facility.
- Regular use of computer screens, spreadsheets, 10-key calculators, and telephone systems.
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, navigate restaurant back-of-house areas safely, and lift up to 20 lbs (e.g., standard office supply boxes or file archives).
Lulu California Bistro is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Pay: $62,204.00 - $70,720.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
Work Location: In person
