Associate HR Business Partner

At Caribou Coffee we create day-making experiences that spark a chain reaction of GOOD!  This is our purpose.  Our team brings this to life by focusing on what’s really important around here – TEAM, GUEST, BUSINESS!  It’s that simple.  If you’re ready to work somewhere you can be yourself while making an impact on your community, creating life-long relationships, and serving the best coffee around, join our herd!  Apply today and be part of the ‘Bou Crew!

Position Overview:

As the Associate HR Business Partner (HRBP), you will work closely with the HRBP to be a strategic partner for leaders in the field and to provide effective HR support for team members throughout their employment experience.  You will accomplish this by providing consistent execution of HR practices, guiding leaders through performance management, and managing HR tasks using policies, data, and resources. Your role includes prioritizing tasks, setting deadlines, communicating progress, addressing improvement opportunities, and adapting to changes.

You will be successful in this role if you have an exceptional ability to work both independently and collaboratively to identify trends and adapt to the changing needs of the business to support and ensure they operate efficiently. You will be proactive in planning, thrive in ambiguity, be an excellent problem-solver, have attention to detail, and have strong organizational skills.

Core Responsibilities:

Team Member Support

• Manage daily HR functions by executing processes, systems, tasks, and initiatives; and research and address employment-related solutions for team members and leaders.
• Build strong relationships with field leaders to understand operational needs and workforce challenges.
• Deliver high-quality and consistent service as a subject matter expert in HR processes, providing guidance and support to team members and leaders to make them successful.
• Support the execution of HR cyclical processes, including open enrollment, goal setting, year-end, engagement surveys, and merit cycles.
• Support talent management programs and initiatives, including workforce planning, career pathing, performance management, and talent reviews. Partner with leaders to identify and develop high-potential team members, ensuring a strong talent pipeline for future growth.
• Set service level commitments and drive continuous improvements by addressing root causes and scaling solutions with company growth.
• Identify and enhance processes by facilitating communication and recommending program improvements and training needs based on case management analysis.
• Provide on-site and virtual HR support, including regular coffeehouse visits as required.

Employee Relations

• Advise leaders and team members on employee relations issues, including performance concerns, attendance, conduct, and workplace conflicts.
• Conduct or support investigations related to team member complaints in partnership with HR leadership and Legal, as needed.
• Promote a positive team member experience and reinforce company values across coffeehouse teams.

Policy & Compliance

• Interpret and apply HR policies, procedures, and employment laws consistently across field locations.
• Support compliance with federal, state, and local employment regulations.
• Assist with audits, reporting, and documentation related to team member lifecycle events.

Data and Reporting

• Leverage HR metrics and dashboards to identify trends related to turnover, engagement, attendance, and performance.
• Provide insights and recommendations to HR leadership and field managers based on workforce data.

Skills and Qualifications: 

• Bring the Core Values to life in all that you do: Support One Another, Make Fun Happen, Be Yourself, Take Ownership, Serve with Love
• The ability to manage, analyze, interpret, and communicate data effectively and responsibly to drive business outcomes
• Collaborate with team members, other HR teams, and various business units within the organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with all organizational levels.
• Strong reasoning, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to build effective relationships with team members at all levels to evolve the business
• Agility, sound judgment, independent thinking, follow-through, and initiative
• Motivated self-starter, able to function with minimal supervision
• Strong attention to detail with a high level of accuracy
• Ability to efficiently identify and solve moderately complex issues
• Strong organizational skills are necessary in working with business leaders, HR Partners, and team members
• Maintain confidentiality of team member information and adhere to data protection guidelines and best practices.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 2-4 years of Human Resources experience
• Strong proficiency with technology, Microsoft software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and HR systems
• Knowledge of federal, state, local labor and employment laws and HR/talent management best practices
• Ability to travel to coffeehouse locations as needed

Preferred:

• HR Certification (PHR, SPHR, etc.) 
• Experience in the retail, QSR, or fast casual restaurant industry 
• Bachelor’s degree in human resources or equivalent experience 

Physical Requirements:
The physical requirements for this position include sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours.  These physical requirements must be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Caribou or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know

Address: | 3900 Lakebreeze Ave N , Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 55429 |

Compensation Range:

$56,801.00 - $94,678.00 per year

*Starting pay is subject to Local and State Minimum Wage regulations.

**Ranges reflect what employer reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for such position.

The physical demands for this position are reaching, lifting up to 50 pounds, sitting, standing, for 4 to 8 hours, bending, and moving intermittently during working hours. These physical demands may be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodations.

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou Coffee reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the company or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Brand:

Caribou Coffee