People and Culture Manager

Company Profile:

At CAVA we make it deliciously simple to eat well and feel good every day. We are guided by a Mediterranean heritage that’s been perfecting how to eat and live for four thousand years. We prioritize authenticity, curiosity and the pursuit of excellence in everything we do. We are working towards something big, together.

We foster a culture built on five core values:

Generosity First, Always: We lead with kindness. Our best work happens when we act in service of others.

Constant Curiosity: We are eager to learn, grow, and explore beyond the obvious.

Act with Agility: We welcome change; it’s the only constant. We embrace, adjust, adapt.

Passion for Positivity: We greet each day with warmth and possibility.

Collective Ambition: We have high aspirations that are achieved when we work together with a shared purpose.

People and Culture Manager:

Are you passionate about building great workplaces and driving impactful people strategies? As our People and Culture Manager, you will be the HR business partner across two of our food manufacturing facilities, leading initiatives in employee relations, recruitment, change management, and process improvement. You will travel to our Verona, VA and Laurel, MD facilities. Your work will directly influence culture, compliance, and operational excellence across our teams. Join us in shaping a workplace where every team member can thrive.

What You’ll Do:

• Champion a culture of trust and transparency by leading effective employee relations strategies, conducting timely and thorough investigations, and coaching managers on conflict resolution.
• Lead recruitment initiatives across both manufacturing sites to attract top talent, reduce time-to-fill, and support workforce planning aligned with production goals.
• Drive consistency and fairness in performance management and corrective action through progressive discipline practices and clear policy execution.
• Spearhead change management projects including new system implementations, organizational changes, or workplace initiatives that improve engagement and business outcomes.
• Identify, design, and implement process improvements that enhance HR operations and support compliance, efficiency, and scalability.
• Create, maintain, and roll out people policies and procedures that reflect current regulations and support business objectives.
• Partner with Operations and site leadership to ensure a proactive approach to workforce issues and continuous improvement.
• Abide by policies and procedures that support the service mindset
• Manage timeline expectations within and across teams, deliver on our responsibilities accordingly
• Earn the trust of Team Members and Managers by consistently embracing CAVA’s values
• Show discipline in bringing consistent performance, communication, and attitude to the job every day
• Actively contribute to your department in order to complete tasks and meet company goals
• Recognize the emotional stake each Team Member has in personal and organizational success of this business

The Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, or a related field
• 5 years of progressive HR experience in manufacturing, food production, or high-volume operations, including multi-site responsibility
• Demonstrated experience in employee relations, conducting investigations, and managing corrective actions
• Proven track record in full-cycle recruiting, policy development, and process improvement
• Strong knowledge of employment law, compliance, and HR best practices
• Change management experience with the ability to lead organizational transitions effectively
• Exceptional interpersonal, coaching, and communication skills
• Proficiency in HRIS and Microsoft Office; bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
• PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to maintain stationary position to be able to operate a computer and other office equipment
• Must be able to identify, analyze and assess details
• For certain positions, must be able to occasionally move or transport items up to 50 pounds
• Ability to communicate with others and exchange information accurately and effectively
• Constantly positions self and move about to support ordinary restaurant or food production support or office operations, as applicable
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner

What we offer:

• Competitive salary, plus bonus and long-term incentives*
• Early Wage Access!
• Unlimited PTO, paid parental leave, plus paid opportunities to give back to the community
• Health, Dental, Vision, Telemedicine, Pet Insurance plus more!
• 401k enrollment with CAVA contribution
• Company-paid STD, LTD, Life and AD&D coverage for salaried positions*
• Free CAVA food
• Casual work environment
• The opportunity to be on the ground floor of a rapidly growing brand
• All exempt and non exempt employees are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of service and you have until the day before the effective date to enroll. A new hire can enroll in our benefit program by selecting a link that is emailed directly to the new hire at their personal email address once hired.
• The compensation range posted includes total cash.

*Indicates qualifying eligible positions only

CAVA – Joining “A culture, not a concept”

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice. As an equal opportunity employer, CAVA considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation, familial status, genetic information or any other characteristic or protected classes as defined by federal, state, or local law.