Senior People Operations Specialist

Summary of Job Description:

The Senior People Operations Specialist serves as an experienced Field HR resource responsible for reviewing and analyzing HR data, coordinating HR projects, supporting Field HR execution, preparing leadership-ready materials, and providing policy guidance for routine HR questions. This position partners closely with the Field HR team to strengthen consistency, follow-through, and operational support across people-related processes. The role applies working knowledge of Panda policies, HR practices, and field operations to provide timely guidance, organize resources, prepare presentations and communications, track key deliverables, and escalate complex or sensitive matters to the appropriate Field HR leader. Through strong judgment, project ownership, and cross-functional partnership, this position helps improve Field HR effectiveness and supports consistent service to Operations leaders and associates.

Job Responsibilities:

• Reviews and analyze HR data, reporting, and field feedback to identify themes, organize insights, and prepare clear summaries or materials that support decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Builds, enhances, and maintains presentations, talking points, training materials, communication drafts, and leadership updates for Field HR meetings, Operations reviews, training sessions, and people-related initiatives.
• Coordinates Field HR projects and initiatives by building project plans, organizing timelines, tracking milestones, preparing status updates, identifying follow-up needs, and ensuring deliverables are completed with accuracy and urgency.
• Tracks and follows up on HR action items, compliance items, assigned case-related tasks, training completion, and project deliverables to support timely resolution and improved visibility across the Field HR team.
• Serves as a back-end Field HR resource by coordinating logistics for Field HR trainings, meetings, skip-level sessions, best-practice sharing forums, and field leadership touchpoints, including scheduling, invitations, reminders, materials, attendance tracking, and post-meeting follow-up.
• Identifies opportunities to improve Field HR processes, resources, tracking tools, and communication methods to strengthen consistency, efficiency, and responsiveness to Operations.

How we reward you:

• 401K with company match
• Yearly bonus opportunity*
• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance *
• On-site fitness center, biometric screen, and flu shot clinic
• Discounts at Panda restaurants, theme parks, and gym memberships
• Paid time off starting at 15 days with 7 federal holidays*
• Continuous education assistance and scholarships*
• Income protection including Disability, Life and AD&D insurance*
• Bereavement leave*

*Benefits available for eligible permanent full time associates

Qualifications - External

Your background and experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree required; business, human resources, or related field preferred.
• Minimum three years’ experience in HR, operations support, project coordination, data analytics, reporting, or related business support function.
• Experience analyzing data, preparing presentations, coordinating and managing projects, and tracking follow-up items strongly preferred.
• Field, restaurant, retail, hospitality, or multi-unit operations experience a plus
• Experience with Workday a plus 
• Successful completion of initial and periodically required trainings.
• Obtaining a valid Food Handler's Card within 30 days of employment is a requirement of this position.

Pay Range: P3: $90,000 - $126,500 / Annual

* Within the range, individual pay is determined using various factors, including work location and experience.

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Panda Strong since 1983:

Founded in Glendale, California, we are now the largest family-owned American Chinese Restaurant concept in America. With close to 2,800 locations globally, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional Asian dining experiences by building an organization where people are inspired to better their lives. Whether it’s impacting our team or the communities we work in, we’re proud to be an organization that embraces family values.

You’re wanted here:

Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity, and does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, including but not limited to sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related conditions), gender expression, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, and veteran status. Additionally, Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. complies with all federal, state, and local laws regarding requests for workplace accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability. Applicants are entitled to reasonable accommodations, absent undue hardship, to effectively participate in the application and hiring process, for example, sign language interpreters. If you believe you require an accommodation for the application or interview process or for the position for which you are applying, please reach out to TASupport@PandaRG.com.