People Operations & Payroll Manager

Location: Houston, TX

Compensation: $80,000 + benefits

A growing, high‑volume restaurant group is seeking a People Operations & Payroll Manager to lead payroll, HR operations, employee relations, and talent development across multiple locations. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in hospitality, builds strong systems, and wants to help shape a scalable People function.

Key Responsibilities

• Process accurate weekly/bi‑weekly tipped payroll (tip pools, OT, PTO, bonuses, deductions)
• Audit payroll, reconcile discrepancies, and manage Toast Payroll or similar systems
• Partner with managers and a PEO on compliance and HR best practices
• Lead onboarding, offboarding, benefits, WC, unemployment, and personnel file management
• Support employee relations: coaching, investigations, corrective actions, PIPs
• Build IDPs, career pathways, and succession plans; track training and development
• Assist with recruiting: postings, screening, interviews, hiring metrics
• Prepare workforce reports: turnover, retention, promotions, labor trends

Required Qualifications

• 4+ years HR + payroll experience
• Restaurant industry experience (multi‑unit strongly preferred)
• Experience processing payroll for 100+ employees
• Strong tipped‑payroll and compliance knowledge
• Toast Payroll or similar system experience
• PEO experience (CoAdvantage preferred)
• Strong Excel/Sheets skills
• Excellent communication, organization, and confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications

• SHRM‑CP or PHR
• Bachelor’s degree in HR or related field
• Experience building development programs or HR systems

Ideal Candidate

Organized, detail‑oriented, calm under pressure, hospitality‑driven, consistent, and passionate about developing people. Someone who enjoys building systems and can grow into a future People Operations leadership role.