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Workforce Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

$6.0K - $6.6K/mo

The Academy is based near, but not on campus, and does not have direct responsibilities for working ... workforce development, and implementation. * Participate in curriculum evaluation design and ...

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Workforce Director information

See California salary details

$26.9K

$79.9K

$134.6K

How much do workforce director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for workforce director in California is $79,906.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,326.00 and $94,006.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Workforce Director vs Human Resources Manager?

AspectWorkforce DirectorHuman Resources Manager
Primary FocusStrategic workforce planning and talent developmentEmployee relations, recruitment, and HR policies
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; often advanced degrees in HR, business, or related fieldsBachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field; HR certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentCorporate, government, or large organizational settingsHR departments across various industries and organizations
Employer UsageUsed in organizations focusing on strategic workforce initiativesCommon in daily HR operations and employee management

The Workforce Director typically oversees strategic workforce planning and talent development, working closely with executive leadership. In contrast, the Human Resources Manager handles daily HR functions like employee relations and recruitment. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in scope and focus, with the Workforce Director emphasizing long-term workforce strategies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Workforce Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Workforce Director, you need expertise in workforce planning, talent management, and organizational development, usually supported by a degree in human resources or business administration. Familiarity with HRIS systems, advanced data analytics tools, and relevant certifications such as SHRM-SCP or SPHR are commonly expected. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and excellent interpersonal skills set outstanding Workforce Directors apart. These skills and qualifications enable effective alignment of workforce strategies with business goals, ensuring optimal staffing and organizational performance.

What is a Workforce Director?

A Workforce Director is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing workforce planning, development, and management within an organization. They ensure that the company has the right number of employees with the appropriate skills to meet business objectives. This role often involves strategic planning, talent acquisition, employee retention, and organizational development. Workforce Directors collaborate with HR and business leaders to align workforce strategies with company goals and improve overall productivity.

How does a Workforce Director typically collaborate with other departments to ensure staffing aligns with organizational goals?

A Workforce Director works closely with department heads, HR, and senior leadership to forecast staffing needs and develop strategic workforce plans. Regular meetings and data sharing are common to align hiring, training, and resource allocation with business objectives. This role often involves analyzing workforce metrics, identifying skill gaps, and recommending solutions to improve productivity and retention across teams. Collaboration is key to ensuring that workforce strategies support both immediate operational demands and long-term organizational growth.
What are the most commonly searched types of Workforce jobs in California? The most popular types of Workforce jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Workforce Director jobs? Cities in California with the most Workforce Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Workforce Director job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,906 per year, or $38.4 per hour.

Director, Workforce Planning

Panda Restaurant Group

Rosemead, CA • Hybrid

$161K - $226K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago


Panda Express rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 731 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 106 rated fast food restaurants


Job description

Summary of Job Description:

The Director, Workforce Planning is responsible for advancing Panda’s labor strategy through data-driven planning, performance insights, and operational partnership. This role enables enterprise workforce efficiency by developing scalable labor models, providing actionable analytics, and supporting innovation across scheduling, deployment, and workforce systems.


Job Responsibilities:

  • Develops and refines labor scheduling and deployment models to improve accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with business priorities in partnership with Operations, Finance, and HR.
  • Analyzes labor utilization and performance trends to assess deployment effectiveness, identify improvement opportunities, and provide actionable insights to Operations.
  • Partners with other teams to develop innovations in automation, analytics, scheduling strategies, deployment models, process improvements, and scalable workforce solutions to enhance labor efficiency.
  • Evaluates labor implications of menu, product, process, design, and equipment changes, translating impacts into labor hours, deployment needs, and labor cost considerations.
  • Partners with Finance to forecast labor costs, build scenario-based workforce plans, identify savings opportunities, and establish labor efficiency targets.
  • Leads change management strategies and training plans to support adoption and optimization of workforce planning systems, tools, and labor efficiency initiatives.
  • Leads benchmarking efforts to compare against industry standards, best practices, and emerging trends to inform innovation in scheduling, deployment, and efficiency.
  • Enhances workforce planning systems, tools, and models by partnering with IS teams to implement improvements that strengthen labor planning, scheduling, analytics, and decision making.


Work Environment:

  • Office conditions; travel up to 20% to domestic stores 


How we reward you:

  • Hybrid work schedule
  • 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


Your background and experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • 10+ years of experience in workforce planning, labor analytics, operations finance, or related field, .with increasing management responsibility; experience working cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, HR, and Technology teams and familiarity with workforce systems, scheduling tools, and data platforms
  • 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: M4: $161,000 - $226,000 / Annual

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

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-TS2 

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.

 #LI-TS2   




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About Panda Express

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Panda Express is a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry, specializing in American Chinese cuisine. It was established in 1983 in Glendale, California by Andrew and Peggy Cherng and has grown to become the largest Asian segment restaurant chain in the United States, with in excess of 2,200 locations. Its headquarters are located in Rosemead, California. The eatery offers a variety of menu items, including their signature dish, Orange Chicken, along with other favorites like Kung Pao Chicken and Beef and Broccoli. Guided by their mission to "deliver exceptional Asian dining experiences," Panda Express is beloved by many for its convenience, consistently high quality, and innovative twists on traditional Chinese dishes.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Rosemead, CA, US