Overview
Human Resource Director Jobs in Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area at Buerkle Honda
Title: Human Resource Director
Company: Buerkle Honda
Location: Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
HR & Payroll Director
Location: Minnesota (Multi-Dealership Automotive Group)
Reports to: Executive Leadership / Dealer Principal(s)
Supervises: HR/Payroll staff (as applicable)
Annual Salary Range : $90-125k depending on experience and certifications
Position Summary
The HR & Payroll Director is responsible for leading all human resources, payroll, benefits, compliance, and safety functions for a three-dealership automotive group in Minnesota. This role serves as a trusted advisor to ownership and management, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws while fostering a people-centric, ethical, and high-performance workplace culture.
The ideal candidate acts with integrity and objectivity, demonstrates sound judgment, and effectively balances strategic HR leadership with hands-on execution. This individual must be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, commission-driven, multi-location dealership environment and be able to manage competing priorities with strong attention to detail.
Key Responsibilities
HR Compliance & Risk Management
- Develop, implement, and maintain company policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure ongoing compliance with federal, Minnesota state, and local employment laws.
- Monitor and interpret changes in employment legislation, including wage & hour laws, paid sick and safe time (ESST), FMLA, ADA, ACA, and MN-specific requirements.
- Ensure accurate documentation, record retention, and confidentiality standards across all HR functions.
- Partner with legal counsel and external resources as needed to mitigate risk and manage employee relations issues.
Employment Lifecycle Management
- Oversee the full employment lifecycle, including: Recruitment, selection, and hiring/Onboarding, orientation, and training
- Performance management and retention strategies
- Employee relations, discipline, and investigations
- Offboarding, terminations, and exit interviews
- Support managers in hiring decisions and workforce planning specific to dealership operations (sales, service, parts, and administration).
Compensation, Training & Development
- Maintain and update job descriptions for exempt and non-exempt positions.
- Develop and administer competitive wage, salary, and commission structures aligned with industry benchmarks and internal equity.
- Provide coaching, training, and development resources for managers and employees, including:
- Supervisory and leadership skills
- Personnel management and documentation
- Workplace safety and compliance
- HR systems and software (Paycom)
- Promote employee engagement, development, and succession planning.
Safety & Workers’ Compensation
- Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive workplace safety programs.
- Coordinate regular facility inspections in partnership with the Workers’ Compensation insurance carrier.
- Manage all aspects of Workers’ Compensation, including:
- Claim filing and investigation
- Coordination of medical treatment and benefits
- Return-to-work and modified duty programs
- OSHA recordkeeping and annual reporting
- Partner with insurance carriers to reduce claims, control costs, and manage the MOD rating.
Benefits Administration
- Oversee employee benefit programs, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
- 401(k)
- HSA / FSA
- Voluntary benefit plans
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Lead annual benefit renewals and negotiations with brokers and carriers.
- Coordinate and administer annual Open Enrollment.
- Manage eligibility tracking, enrollments, payroll deductions, billing reconciliation, COBRA administration, and medical withholding orders.
Payroll Administration
- Oversee accurate and compliant payroll processing using Paycom, including:
- Setup and maintenance of employee payroll records
- Commission and incentive payroll coordination
- Timekeeping, PTO, sick time, and wage compliance
- Quality control processes and internal controls
- Ensure payroll compliance with federal and MN wage & hour regulations.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll-related questions and issue resolution.
Leadership & Management Support
- Provide HR guidance, counsel, and support to executive leadership and department managers.
- Assist management with performance issues, conflict resolution, and employee relations matters.
- Support organizational initiatives and change management efforts.
Multi-Location Support
- Visit each dealership location regularly.
- Meet with employees and managers to reinforce policies, answer questions, and address concerns.
- Ensure consistent HR practices and culture across all locations.
Professional Development
- Maintain current HR knowledge and expertise by:
- Attending workshops, conferences, and training
- Reviewing professional publications
- Networking with HR professionals and industry peers
- Benchmarking best practices within the automotive industry
Position Requirements & Qualifications
- Proven leadership experience implementing and managing HR policies and programs.
- Strong knowledge of Minnesota employment law and federal HR compliance.
- Previous HR management experience required; automotive or multi-location experience strongly preferred.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage deadlines, and prioritize effectively.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify issues and develop practical solutions.
- Solid understanding of internal controls and compliance standards.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
- Experience with HRIS/payroll systems; Paycom experience strongly preferred.
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field strongly preferred.
- SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP or SPHR certification preferred.
- Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) highly desirable.
