KELLY POWELL, MBA

Oak Forest, IL Open to quick relocation.

708-***-**** ad5ae5@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-powell-mba-134507103

HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL

Visionary Human Resources Professional with extensive track record of success and a passion for helping companies succeed. Strategic-thinker with a proven ability to build HR departments from the ground up from document formation and HRIS Implementation, to employee training and development. Collaborative team-player with the capacity to foster meaningful relationships and lead others.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Payroll, Compensation and Total Rewards Project Management Problem solving Behavioral and Mental Health Incident Investigation Return-to-work Management Multi-Team collaboration Training and Development Process analysis Mentoring ADA/FMLA administration including Accommodation processes STD, LTD, Workers Compensation

EXPERIENCE

Clarity Clinic, Chicago, IL

Director of People

• Led all aspects of Human Resources function, overseeing a team of HR professionals and managing HR operations for 285 employees across multiple departments and locations.

• Developed and implemented strategic HR initiatives in alignment with organizational goals, fostering a positive and inclusive work culture.

• Designed and implemented comprehensive employee development programs, including training, performance management, and career progression initiatives, leading to slowed turnover and improved employee retention by 15%.

• Worked tirelessly on pre-existing employee relations issues, instituting proactive processes to prevent and address conflicts before they escalate.

• Managed compensation and benefits programs, including salary benchmarking, bonus structures, and employee wellness initiatives, enhancing overall employee satisfaction and engagement.

• Created and executed multiple audits to identify and rectify issues related to employee data integrity and compliance with relevant regulations.

• Created new custom fields within HRIS system to allow for better sorting and categorizing of employees during promotion and/or raises.

• Ensured compliance with employment laws and regulations, regularly reviewing policies and procedures to mitigate legal risks.

• Collaborated as part of the Senior Leadership Committee to provide strategic guidance on organizational development, workforce planning, and succession planning initiatives.

• Acted as a trusted advisor to the other executive team members on all matters related to human capital, contributing to overall business strategy and decision-making.

Amazon, Joliet, IL

HR Director/ Operations Manager (Traveled to different Amazon facilities throughout the US) This was a position of many parts. While in it, I changed the inter-workings of the Employee Resource Center by simplifying processes and cutting even the most complicated cases process time by half.

Running both escalations and engagements teams to both give the complicated cases closure and keep

my team engaged in the process.

Implementation of Policies and Procedures including collaborating with legal and compliance teams to develop and update comprehensive HR policies and procedures.

Developed a training program to educate employees on the importance of policy adherence.

Implemented a feedback loop to gather employee input on policies and make adjustments.

Orchestrated seamless integration of salary and hourly employees, managing placements for both direct hires and temporary staffing.

Conducted regular audits to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Established a clear communication plan to disseminate policy changes and updates to all

Employees.

Created a centralized training calendar outlining various programs and their objectives.

Established a learning management system (LMS) for tracking employee progress and completion

of training modules.

Implemented cross-functional training programs for staff to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Conducted a skills gap analysis to identify specific training needs across different organizational levels from entry level to senior level.

Utilized a variety of training methods, including workshops, e-learning, and mentorship programs.

Established a continuous learning culture with regular updates to training content based on

emerging industry trends.

Provided training to HR staff on the effective use of the HRIS for data management and reporting.

Conducted a thorough analysis of existing HR processes and identify areas for improvement.

Developed a strategic plan with key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of

process improvements.

Implemented changes gradually, communicating updates to employees and collecting feedback for further refinement.

Led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) teams focused on fostering global acceptance.

Oversight of a dedicated team, encompassing the management of payroll corrections for Amazon employees across North America.

Full administration of benefit systems, execution of leave of absence protocols, management of financial benefits, facilitation of orientations, coordination of training initiatives, comprehensive involvement in full lifecycle recruiting, active participation in various projects, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Proficiently navigated a diverse array of over a dozen programs to ensure seamless fulfillment of all employee requirements, consistently maintaining impeccable performance metrics

Managed 17 HR Managers while actively training them to move into senior roles.

Empowered a large team of employees to efficiently deliver inventory to the correct department through training and effective management.

Ensured the team is consistently improving by following trends and monitoring rate, accuracy, and

multiple systems.

SBM Management Services, LP, Indianapolis, IN

Site Operations Manager/ HR Manager (6 Month Contract)

Directed a large team of employees to clean and disinfect 19 drug manufacturing buildings for Eli Lilly.

Ensured proper processing of medications and strict compliance with cleaning protocol. Conducted weekly safety training, recruited new talent, administered audits, and drafted regular reports. Collaborated with all levels of staff and management.

Created employee handbooks with multimedia elements for enhanced accessibility.

Implemented a 360-degree feedback system to gather input from peers, subordinates, and

supervisors.

Provided resources for employees to create and manage their development plans based on performance reviews.

Revamped the site operations department and restored relationships between SBM and Eli Lilly

to expand a contract that the company was in danger of losing.

Successfully managed buildings and staff numbering fivefold beyond any predecessor.

Worked directly with the Union Stewards to hand in hand negotiate terms that would satisfy all involved parties.

Independent Consultant, IN & IL August 2010 – November 2023

Human Resources Management/Organizational Change and Recruitment Specialist

Strategic Compensation Planning in which I developed and executed comprehensive compensation strategies aligned with organizational objectives.

Implemented effective salary structures to attract and retain top talent.

Conducted thorough market analysis and benchmarking research to ensure competitive compensation packages.

Utilized benchmarking data to inform decision-making and maintain market competitiveness.

Managed and optimized employee benefits programs as part of the compensation package, ensuring alignment with employee needs and corporate goals.

Oversaw compliance with regulatory requirements governing benefits.

Designed and managed performance-based pay systems, linking compensation to individual and team achievements.

Established measurable performance metrics for fair and transparent evaluation.

Developed, revised, and maintained compensation policies in accordance with legal and industry standards.

Ensured strict compliance with labor laws and regulations related to compensation.

Successfully negotiated competitive salary packages with candidates and facilitated transparent communication.

Effectively communicated compensation-related changes and policies to employees and stakeholders.

Utilized data analytics to inform compensation decisions, ensuring a data-driven approach.

Conducted regular reviews of compensation metrics, identifying areas for improvement and adjustment.

Conducted cost analysis to ensure budgetary compliance while optimizing compensation structures.

Managed compensation budgets effectively, balancing employee expectations with organizational financial goals.

Provided guidance to employees on compensation-related matters, fostering a clear understanding of benefits and pay structures.

Established training programs to enhance employee awareness of compensation policies and procedures.

Led the establishment of thriving HR departments across 204 union and non-union companies spanning diverse industries, encompassing automotive manufacturing, truck manufacturing, food and drug manufacturing, heavy machinery, HVAC, and warehousing.

Provided invaluable support to companies through a wide array of human resources solutions. Services offered include finding high-quality candidates, improving training techniques, fostering a better company culture, reducing turnover, and selecting the best HRIS.

Researched, selected, and implemented an advanced HRIS system that meets the organization's specific needs.

Successfully navigated the recruitment and onboarding processes for contract workers, ensuring alignment with organizational needs.

Demonstrated expertise in workforce management across various employment structures, contributing to strategic staffing solutions.

Regularly assessed the effectiveness of training programs through post-training evaluations and

adjust content as needed.

Developed and created employee handbooks with multimedia elements for enhanced accessibility. Identify critical positions and create detailed job profiles outlining required tasks and competencies.

Implemented key talent assessment tools to evaluate high-potential employees for key roles.

Developed customized training and development plans for identified successors, including mentorship opportunities.

Implemented regular employee satisfaction surveys with a focus on anonymity to encourage

honest feedback.

Developed employee recognition programs to acknowledge and reward outstanding performance.

Established a responsive grievance resolution process to address employee concerns promptly.

Regularly reviewed and updated the HRIS to incorporate new features and functionalities.

Invested in payroll software solutions to automate repetitive tasks and reduce the risk of errors.

Established and operationalized multiple Human Resources departments for both startup enterprises and expanding organizations. This involved comprehensive initiatives such as the formulation of employee handbooks, meticulous team member selection, strategic determination of Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or in-house workflows, thorough research into legal considerations, meticulous evaluation of benefits offerings, and the systematic establishment of departmental components encompassing payroll administration, employee engagement, satisfaction programs, health initiatives, retirement plans, succession planning, and employee relations

Supported multiple companies in HRIS implementation and change for companies with over 12,000 people.

Pyro’s Computer Repair, Indianapolis, IN October 2010 – December 2018

Director of Human Resources and Operations

Establish a payroll processing calendar to ensure timely and accurate payments.

Train managers on performance evaluation best practices, emphasizing constructive feedback

and goal-setting.

Oversaw all aspects of human resources including talent acquisition. Directed payroll, accounts receivable, collections, and all bookkeeping. Coordinated scheduling and benefits for employees.

Built the entire HR department and recruited talent to expand the company from two employees to 250.

Achieved less than 2% turnover across eight years.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Indianapolis, IN

Deputy Floor Manager/Project Manager

ABC Advertising, Indianapolis, IN

HR Manager/Project Manager

Heartland Payment Processing, Indianapolis, IN

Relationship Manager

EDUCATION

Walden University, Minneapolis, MN

Doctorate in Philosophy, Pending

Kaplan University, Indianapolis, IN

Master in Business Administration, Management & Operations, 2015

University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Bachelor in Psychology

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Guided numerous human resources departments to success through problem solving issues such as setting up ADA/FMLA administration policies, implementing benefit administration systems, investigation processes for workers compensation cases and streamlining STD, LTD and Return- to-work management process to avoid redundancies or other problems that would cause the process to lag.

Worked with over 500 companies of which nearly half were global, to design and Implement payroll and total compensation packages worthy of attracting top talent without hurting the overall profitability of the company itself.

Overhauled Pyro’s Computer Repair HR department and many others in order to increase

Employee engagement and satisfaction and decrease turnover to less than 2%.

Restored contractor relations for a contract that was in danger of being canceled, resulting in extension and expansion with SBM at Eli Lilly Indianapolis doubling income from 1 to 2 Million a month..

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