Office Manager at Wow Bao in Forest City, NC

Office Manager

Wow Bao has launched a new food manufacturing plant—and we’re looking for an Office Manager to help us build something extraordinary from the ground up. The plant is in Forest City, North Carolina and is slated to opened in Fall 2025. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a start-up, shape daily operations, and contribute a culture of caring that values people and performance. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys wearing multiple hats.

What we look for from you:

• Providing the day-to-day support to the Human Resources Manager and the Director of Operations

• Managing accounts payable and payroll with accuracy and confidentiality
• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal teams and external vendors
• Coordinating projects, meetings, and company events such as new hire orientation training, ensuring seamless execution
• Order and maintain office and plant supplies, anticipating operational needs
• Supporting leadership with administrative tasks, reporting, scheduling and special initiatives
• Help foster a positive workplace culture through thoughtful communication and organization
• Innovative. Fast Pace. Growth.

Wow Bao has once again been recognized as a 2023 Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers! Ranked no. 1 in 2019 and 2022, we are the only brand to have taken home the honor more than once. This year we were privileged to be ranked no. 4, and the leading Asian fast-casual concept.

At Wow Bao, we believe that every day deserves a big, bold serving of WOW. So we’ve made it our mission to shake up the sea of sameness and bring a fresh, exciting new spin to the fast-casual experience. Join the fastest growing Asian virtual kitchen concept in the US! Our virtual kitchen concept has launched 600+ locations and is growing rapidly. Our retail/grocery business is also experiencing unprecedented growth - our Frozen Bao and Potstickers will be in thousands of grocery stores across the US by the end of 2023.

Wow Bao is an innovative Asian fast casual restaurant that fuses superior hospitality and industry leading technology to deliver signature flavors “at the speed of life.” Our menu features rice bowls, pan-seared potstickers, dumplings, soups, and our iconic Bao – steamed hot Asian buns with a variety of savory and sweet fillings. We foster a culture of caring. Whether it’s our guests or our employees, we put people first. We strive to inspire, to motivate, and to appreciate one another every day. We live by the golden rule and treat everyone with kindness, empathy, respect, and a healthy dose of humor. We take our work, not ourselves, seriously.

Requirements

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

• Efficiently manage and maintain the plant calendar, ensuring accurate scheduling of appointments/visitors, meetings, and events.
• Receive, respond to and direct incoming communications including but not limited to emails and calls from guests/visitors, vendors, internal team members and external partners.
• Demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills by proactively anticipating the needs of the plant and providing timely support.
• Collaborate with HR/Plant Manager to negotiate and manage vendor and service provider contracts
• Collaborate with HR/Plant Manager to develop, implement, and maintain office procedures and administrative systems to ensure efficiency and compliance with company policy
• Effectively collaborate and maintain close coordination with HR/Plant Manager to ensure alignment of priorities and streamline operational efforts to support all areas of the plant.

HUMAN RESOURCES & FINANCIAL SUPPORT

• Manage and oversee accurate and timely processing of payroll and benefits administration.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processes
• Assist with new hire paperwork, assist with orientation, and process new employee access and equipment.
• Coordinate and provide comprehensive support for all events and team celebrations.
• Arrange travel for internal team members as required.
• Maintain accurate files and records, ensuring sensitive and confidential matters in a professional and proper manner.
• Support financial reporting by tracking office-related expenses, monitoring the office budget, and processing invoices from local vendors.
• Perform basic bookkeeping tasks as needed and support the accounting department

FOOD PLANT SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Collaborate with plant leadership and quality assurance to ensure office procedures align with food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, GMP).
• Assist with the coordination of training programs for employees, particularly related to safety and compliance.
• Support with various initiatives, including safety, building access, and maintenance.
• Other duties will be assigned as needed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Full-time, in office 5 days a week.

• Minimum of 3-4 years as an Office Manager or similar role.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Proficient in using IT office machines, Microsoft Office suite including Excel, PowerPoint and Word, Outlook, Zoom/Microsoft Teams teleconferencing software.
• Excellent reading, writing, and oral proficiency of the English language.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines and effectively prioritize multiple tasks.
• Some duties may require attention outside of normal business hours.
• Maintain complete knowledge of and comply with all policies, procedures and standards as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Handbook Supplements.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and work on a computer.
• Lifting up to 50lbs as necessary

Benefits

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Voluntary life insurance

• Voluntary disability insurance

• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discount Programs with Perkspot and Working Advantage

• We foster a culture of CARE