Job Summary
The Sr. Manager, HR Compliance & Learning Development is responsible for leading the organization's HR compliance, risk management, and employee development initiatives. This role ensures compliance with California and federal employment laws while designing and implementing training programs that support employee growth, leadership development, operational excellence, and sales performance.
This position partners closely with HR, Payroll, Legal, Operations, and field leadership to develop compliant employment practices, mitigate organizational risk, and build scalable learning programs that support Moon Valley Nurseries' continued growth. The ideal candidate possesses proven deep California employment law expertise, L&D administration demonstrated through content design and development and LMS expertise, and the ability to influence organizational performance through both compliance and employee development.
This role is based in Southern California (Riverside or surrounding area) and will work from a local nursery or farm location. There is significant day travel between CA nursery and farm locations with occasional overnight travel to Northern California, Scottsdale, AZ, or other locations within the states that Moon Valley Nurseries operates.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
HR Compliance & Risk Management:
Wage & Hour Compliance
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Interpret, apply, and monitor compliance with California wage and hour laws, including overtime, meal and rest periods, reporting time pay, split shifts, and regular rate calculations.
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Conduct internal reviews of payroll practices, timekeeping systems, and employee classifications.
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Partner with Payroll and HRIS teams to ensure accurate wage, bonus, and premium calculations.
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Identify, investigate and resolve wage-related complaints and compliance concerns.
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Monitor legislative changes and implement updates related to California (and federal) labor laws and Wage Orders.
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Train managers and leaders on compliance requirements and best practices.
Compliance Reviews & Regulatory Readiness
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Lead internal HR compliance reviews, including wage and hour practices, personnel files, I-9 documentation, onboarding, offboarding, leave administration, and talent acquisition processes.
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Identify compliance gaps and implement corrective action plans.
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Maintain documentation and ensure readiness for external audits or agency reviews.
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Track and report compliance metrics and trends to leadership.
Policy Development & Implementation
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Partner with HR leadership and Legal to review and update company policies.
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Communicate policy changes and ensure consistent application across the organization.
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Maintain required workplace postings and compliance notices.
Learning & Development:
Leadership Development
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Design and support implementation of leadership development programs for emerging and existing leaders.
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Create learning paths that strengthen coaching, accountability, communication, and performance management skills.
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Support succession planning and internal talent development initiatives.
Training Program Development
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Develop, refine and maintain company-wide onboarding, technical, operational, and leadership training programs.
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Create structured learning paths for new hires, tenured employees, and management teams.
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Build scalable training materials, playbooks, and learning resources for a growing multi-location organization.
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Migrate manuals and other training materials into an LMS system.
Sales & Operations Training
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Support the develop of training programs focused on consultative selling, customer experience, product knowledge, and operational excellence.
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Partner with Sales and Operations leaders to identify skill gaps and training opportunities along with solutions to close the gaps.
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Translate technical product and service information into practical training content for field teams.
Training Administration & Compliance
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Manage required California compliance training programs, including harassment prevention, workplace violence prevention, and other mandated training requirements.
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Track completion rates and maintain training records and drive completion.
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Measure training effectiveness through performance metrics, employee feedback, retention, and operational results.
This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. We work collaboratively and new responsibilities may be assigned over time.
Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- 5–8+ years of progressive Human Resources experience with significant experience in California compliance and employee development.
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Current HR certification required (PHR, SPHR, PHRca, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, or equivalent).
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Demonstrated deep knowledge of California employment laws, wage and hour regulations, and HR compliance practices.
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Experience conducting HR compliance reviews and investigations.
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Experience designing and facilitating training and leadership development programs.
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Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
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Ability to influence and partner effectively across all levels of the organization.
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Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
Preferred
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Additional HR certifications or California-specific compliance credentials.
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Experience supporting multi-state operations with 2000+ employee base.
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Advanced experience with HRIS, LMS, and compliance tracking systems.
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Background in retail, sales, operations, landscaping, agriculture, or related industries.
Key Competencies
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California Employment Law Expertise
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Compliance Management & Risk Mitigation
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Training & Facilitation Excellence
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Leadership Development
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Investigative & Analytical Skills
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Project & Program Management
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Communication & Influence
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Organizational Development
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Change Management
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Cross-Functional Collaboration
What Success Looks Like
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Strong organizational compliance and reduced regulatory risk.
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Successful completion of compliance audits and reviews.
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Effective onboarding and accelerated employee ramp-up.
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Increased leadership capability throughout the organization.
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Improved sales, operational, and management performance through training initiatives.
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Scalable learning programs that support continued company growth.
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High levels of employee engagement and development participation.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Education, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Physical requirements/Working Conditions
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items over 15 pounds. Able to work outdoors for extended periods of time in possibly extreme conditions, including rain, heat, sun, and wind. This position requires travel, including ability to fly as a passenger on commercial aircraft and drive. Estimated travel requirement of 50% or more.
Other
Subject to MVR and criminal background check (In accordance with applicable fair chance laws, rules, and regulations)
About Us
Moon Valley Nurseries is the largest grower of box trees and palms in North America, and is an industry leader and high growth company that offers competitive salaries with exceptional employee benefits including medical insurance, 401(k), holidays, and PTO to all eligible employees. We are an equal employment opportunity employer. We are a drug free workplace.
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