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Workforce Planning Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

As a Workforce Planning PM, you'll own the processes, governance, and analytics that keep Fleet Operations staffed, financially aligned, and ready to scale. You'll be the connective tissue between ...

As a Workforce Planning PM, you'll own the processes, governance, and analytics that keep Fleet Operations staffed, financially aligned, and ready to scale. You'll be the connective tissue between ...

As a Workforce Planning PM, you'll own the processes, governance, and analytics that keep Fleet Operations staffed, financially aligned, and ready to scale. You'll be the connective tissue between ...

Workforce Planning Lead

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

Own headcount, OKR, and budget planning rituals on a quarterly basis, tying our market goals to workforce plans to cost reality. * compensation analytics: benchmarking, budgeting out of reviews, and ...

The Workforce Analyst is responsible for labor planning, scheduling strategy, and workforce analytics across Palisades Tahoe Resort. In partnership with operational leaders, this role optimizes labor ...

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Workforce Planning information

See California salary details

$19.2K

$66.2K

$97.2K

How much do workforce planning jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for workforce planning in California is $66,178.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,800.00 and $79,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Workforce Planning job?

A Workforce Planning job involves analyzing and forecasting an organization's workforce needs to ensure it has the right talent in the right roles at the right time. Professionals in this role assess workforce data, identify skill gaps, and develop strategies for recruitment, retention, and succession planning. They collaborate with HR and business leaders to align workforce planning with company goals. The role helps organizations optimize staffing levels, improve efficiency, and adapt to changing business demands.

What is a workforce planning role?

A workforce planning role involves analyzing an organization’s current and future staffing needs to ensure the right number of employees with the appropriate skills are available. It includes tasks such as forecasting labor demand, assessing workforce gaps, and developing strategies for recruitment, retention, and training, often using data analysis tools. This role is essential for aligning human resources with business goals and typically requires strong analytical skills and knowledge of HR practices.

What is the difference between HR and workforce planning?

Workforce planning is a strategic process focused on analyzing and forecasting an organization’s future staffing needs, ensuring the right talent is available when needed. HR, or human resources, manages employee relations, recruitment, compliance, and day-to-day personnel functions. While HR handles current employee management, workforce planning emphasizes long-term staffing strategies and workforce development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Workforce Planning position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Workforce Planning, you need strong analytical skills, business acumen, and a background in human resources, operations, or related fields—often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with workforce management software, HRIS systems, data analytics tools, and certifications like SHRM-CP or workforce planning credentials are critical. Outstanding communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management abilities help you navigate complex organizational needs and foster cross-functional collaboration. These skills and qualities are essential for optimizing workforce efficiency, managing labor costs, and aligning talent strategies with business objectives.

Is workforce planning a good career?

Workforce planning is a strategic role that involves analyzing an organization’s staffing needs and developing plans to meet them. It requires skills in data analysis, forecasting, and communication, often utilizing tools like Excel or HR software. The field offers opportunities for advancement and is important in various industries, making it a stable career choice for those interested in human resources and organizational development.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Workforce Planning professional?

As a Workforce Planning professional, your daily responsibilities often involve analyzing current staffing levels, forecasting future workforce needs, and identifying potential skills gaps within the organization. You’ll work closely with HR, finance, and department managers to create and adjust staffing plans, using data-driven insights and predictive models. Additionally, you may participate in talent review meetings, support initiatives to improve workforce efficiency, and implement strategies to address hiring or redeployment needs. This role requires continuous communication with various teams to ensure that staffing aligns with business goals and changing operational demands.

What job should I do if I like planning?

If you enjoy planning, a career as a workforce planner or in workforce planning involves analyzing staffing needs, developing strategies, and coordinating resources to meet organizational goals. Skills in data analysis, forecasting, and project management are important, and proficiency with planning tools or software is often required.
What are the most commonly searched types of Workforce Planning jobs in California? The most popular types of Workforce Planning jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Workforce Planning jobs? Cities in California with the most Workforce Planning job openings:
Infographic showing various Workforce Planning job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,178 per year, or $31.8 per hour.
Director, Workforce Planning

Director, Workforce Planning

Panda Restaurant Group

Rosemead, CA • Hybrid

$161K - $226K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 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 105 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   




What Panda Express employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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Get the full story on Breakroom


Panda Express logo

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