Senior Director of Human Resources

Oxnard, California, United States | Human Resources | Full-time

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Mission Produce is the global leader in the worldwide avocado business, with additional offerings in mangos. Since 1983, we have invested in people, state-of-the-art technology, and avocado-specific and ripening infrastructure to expertly serve our customers, growers, and partners in over 27 countries. We own and operate four packing facilities in multiple global locations including California, Mexico, and Peru. Our global distribution network includes 16 forward distribution centers in North America, China, Europe and the Netherlands, which promote company expansion into new territories and categories. Throughout our history, we have remained rooted in honesty, respect, and loyalty to provide a year-round supply of high-quality fruit from field to fork.

 

JOB SUMMARY

The Sr. Director of Human Resources will partner with the VP of Human Resources to lead all aspects of people operations and the employee life cycle for Mission Produce. This pivotal role is responsible for driving strategic HR initiatives, including talent acquisition, employee relations, talent development, onboarding and offboarding, performance management, regulatory compliance, and benefits administration.

 

As a trusted advisor and thought leader, the Sr. Director will provide forward-thinking HR guidance, foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, and work closely with senior leadership to advance organizational effectiveness and growth. The ideal candidate will bring a keen attention to detail, maturity in handling complex situations, and a passion for innovative, solutions-oriented HR practices.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Sr. Director of Human Resources will shape the strategic direction and operational excellence of the HR function to ensure alignment with Mission Produce’s business objectives and high-performance culture. This leader will champion the implementation of a best-in-class Human Capital Management (HCM) system and drive the adoption of automation and self-service capabilities to transform the employee experience and streamline HR processes. Key responsibilities include overseeing talent management, organizational development, and change management initiatives, as well as leveraging data-driven insights to continuously improve HR effectiveness and support the company’s ongoing growth and innovation.

 

Strategic HR Leadership

  • Develop and execute HR strategies and initiatives that align with overall business goals and transformation plans, with a focus on change management and organizational growth.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team, balancing business partnership with employee advocacy and driving a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Lead organizational design, workforce planning, and talent strategies to support business scalability and agility.

 

HCM Implementation & Digital Transformation

  • Oversee the end-to-end implementation of a best-in-class HCM platform, collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure seamless integration, adoption, and optimization of HR technologies.
  • Drive the rollout of automation and self-service tools, empowering employees to manage HR tasks such as benefits enrollment, time-off requests, and training independently, resulting in increased efficiency and improved employee experience.
  • Leverage analytics and data-driven insights from the HCM system to inform decision-making, measure HR effectiveness, and identify opportunities for further automation and process improvement.

 

Talent Management & Development

  • Oversee the development and execution of robust talent acquisition, onboarding, retention, and succession planning strategies to attract and nurture top talent.
  • Design and implement comprehensive training and leadership development programs to build organizational capability and support career growth.

 

HR Team Leadership

  • Build and mentor a high-performing HR team, setting clear goals, fostering collaboration, and promoting a culture of trust, accountability, and excellence.
  • Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across all levels of the organization.

 

Global HR

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate global HR priorities and workplans, ensuring international, national, and organizational standards are met.

 

Employee Relations & Compliance

  • Provide expert guidance on employee relations, investigations, and compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Ensure consistent application of policies and procedures, maintaining transparency and fairness in all HR practices.

 

Compensation, Benefits & Leave Management

  • Oversee the design and administration of competitive compensation and benefits programs, ensuring market alignment and internal equity.
  • Manage leave policies and processes, ensuring compliance and supporting employee well-being.

 

Organizational Development & Change Management

  • Lead change management initiatives related to HR transformation, digital adoption, and process redesign, ensuring effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
  • Support business needs through organizational design, staffing, and workforce planning.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

  • 10–15 years of progressive HR leadership experience, including significant exposure to recruiting, employee relations, compensation, benefits, and training and development.
  • Proven track record of leading large-scale HCM implementations and driving HR automation and self-service initiatives in complex, fast-paced environments.
  • Experience in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) is required, including due diligence, integration planning, and execution.
  • Demonstrated international and multi-state HR experience, including managing HR operations, policies, compliance across multiple countries or regions and within multiple countries and within multiple states in the U.S.
  • Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and influential communication skills.
  • Experience in agriculture, produce, or manufacturing sectors preferred; understanding of plant operations and workforce needs is highly valued.
  • Expertise in change management, organizational design, and continuous improvement within a lean operating environment.
  • Relevant certifications (e.g., SPHR, SHRM-SCP) are a plus. 

Pay range: $180,000 to $247,000 annually 

 

MISSION PRODUCE EMPLOYEE PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy sets out how Mission Produce, Inc. (the “Company”) uses and protects any information that employees may give the Company in the context of their employment, job application, or other similar working relationship with the Company. This Privacy Policy also applies to the information the Company collects about employees’ emergency contacts or individuals whom the Company administers benefits relating to their employment with the Company.

You can view the Privacy Policy by clicking on the link below.

Mission Produce Employee Privacy Policy

Mission Produce Employee Privacy Policy (Spanish)