Octavia M. Garrett

**** *********** **., *******, ** 35756

256-***-**** (Home) 678-***-**** (Cell)

acds2y@r.postjobfree.com

Education

American InterContinental University Graduated

MBA Business Administration/Operations Management

Auburn University Montgomery, Graduated

B.S., Business Administration/Human Resource Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Westminster Christian Academy, Huntsville, AL (Education)

Human Resource Manager (May 2013-Dec 2013)

• Managed new hire process; ensure new hires are in-processed, as well as enrolling new

hires in the various Benefit Plans available to employees and all paperwork is completed

and filed properly.

• Managed all employee benefit administration. (Health, Dental, COBRA, 403(b), FSA,

HSA, Voluntary, etc.) Including analyzing programs and vendors for competitiveness

and making recommendations for new vendors and new benefits. Coordinate open

enrollment and explain benefit options to employees and be available to answer

questions.

• Filed benefit claims for Life, STD/LTD and workers compensation. Assist employees

with Health and Dental claims resolution when necessary.

• Partnered with Operations Director on offer letters, contract and salary negotiations.

• Developed and maintain HR forms and files.

• Developed and assist Principals/Managers in implementation of yearly

evaluation/accountability process and Participate in staff /faculty meetings as required.

• Published handbook, monitor and update as required. Recommend employee policies

therein and assist in ensuring even application. Ensure that policies and procedures meet

federal guidelines and mitigate lawsuits.

• Sourced qualified Christian candidates for open positions and assist with interview and

selection process.

• Responsible for created and tracked internal and external job postings.

• Ensured that fingerprinting and Alabama database checking is consistent and complete.

• Worked closely with Administration to reduce turn over and retain top talent and the high

caliber of Christian of employee that WCA seeks to achieve excellence for their faculty,

staff and ultimately student body.

• Ensured compliance with State and Federal regulations concerning employment with a

private church base school. (I-9, EEO, FMLA etc.)

• Developed plan for setting up HR data base. Upon implementation of HRIS system,

ensure all employee information is accurately entered into system and maintained

effectively and efficiently so that reports are timely and accurate.

• Worked with Administration to develop and implement a fair and equitable compensation

plan. Maintain records of compensation changes and updates records. Maintains copies of

faculty contracts and staff offer letters.

• Offered advice regarding Employee Relation issues. Counsels employees and managers

regarding employee issues and maintain proper documentation. Conduct employee

terminations when necessary.

• Ensured that optimal use is made of professional development opportunities including

equitable access to all employees. Maintain credential, training and CEU files for

employees.

Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, Madison, AL (Retail)

Human Resources Manager (2006-2013)

• Managed the daily HR functions of a store location for a 180 employees.

• Addressed store talent needs during weekly management staff meetings through proactive

and effective recruiting, staffing, reports, succession planning, and training.

• Developed affirmative action plans to help diversify the company.

• Established and maintain contact with various employment services to strengthen a pool

of external candidates.

• Created and tracked internal and external job postings.

• Responsible for providing leadership for employee engagement, coaching managers of

people related issues, aligning HR processes and system with business and location

strategies, and providing HR solution for all people related processes (employee

relations, talent management, recruiting, staffing, onboarding, development, training,

safety and health/wellness).

• Facilitated the new employee orientation and the employee onboarding process

• Managed benefit programs, payroll, vacation, Worker’s Compensation, FMLA,

unemployment claims, disability, safety, security, and facilities management.

• Made sure our location is in compliance under the Lowe’s and OFCCP guidelines, federal

and state regulations

• Verified payroll for accuracy and document weekly schedules for proper staffing of

location.

• Investigated and observed employee relation issues.

• Planned, conducted and executed training/coaching to store management in key HR

areas, including employment law, sexual harassment, title VII, ADA, interviewing, Plan,

implement, and evaluate employee’s career development path.

• Coordinated and facilitate job fairs.

• Demonstrated strategic leadership if the field of human resources while maintaining a

high degree of performance.

• Solid working knowledge of HRIS, PeopleSoft, Micro-Soft and other systems in related

field.

The Fellowship of Faith, Huntsville, AL 1 hour Sunday/Wednesdays

Bookstore Ministry (4/2010-Present)

• Provide customer service to the congregation and visitors.

• Manage the store in the absences of church secretary.

• Answer customer’s questions about products and advise customers on merchandise

selections; respond to customer and supplier inquires about order status, changes.

• Arrange onsite guest speaker’s book sales.

• Perform opening and closing procedures.

The Home Depot At-Home Services, Marietta, GA (Corporate Office)

Production Support Coordinator/Recruiter/Trainer (2001-2006)

• Served as branch coordinator and partnering with peers on all key business functions.

• Built and maintained relationships with a cross segment of branch personnel.

• Responsible for providing leadership for the branch, order completions, data input, filing,

new hire orientations, training updates, feedback, development, and customer service.

• Trained newly hired employees in the production support department

• Attended career fairs to recruit and inform potential recruits about the organization as

great place to work.

Skills

• General Office Skills: Organization, management, communication, writing, editing, public

speaking, training, and customer service skill, experienced change agent in the improvement of a

process with Lowe’s in 2011-2012

• Computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, Office 2009, Power Point, Outlook, Windows XP,

Internet, Access, PeopleSoft, PeopleClick, Unicru, Type 50wpm, keystroke 6000, Career Portal

by Kenexa Recruiter BrassRing, Lexius Nexius, Kronos Payroll System.

Contact this candidate