Human Resources Project Manager

Karen Bender, SPHR, CEBS

N**** Cty J

Poynette, WI 53955

608-***-**** (home) 608-***-**** (cell)

*******@**********.***

SUMMARY

Human Resources Professional with extensive managerial experience in union

and non-union environments in food manufacturing and insurance. Proven

ability to develop and implement strategies, programs and policies to

support business objectives. Especially skilled at building effective

working relationships with all levels of employees. Successfully managed

all aspects of HR. Key skills include:

. Employee Relations

. Regulatory Compliance

. Coaching/Counseling

. Performance Management

. Policy & Procedure Development

. Compensation/Benefits Administration

. Training & Development Programs

. Recruiting

. Safety & Environmental Programs

EXPERIENCE

MERRICK'S INC, Middleton, WI 2010 to

present

Manufacturer of baby animal nutrition products; approximately 135 employees

at 4 locations in 3 states.

Contract position evaluating future HR needs while executing all HR

responsibilities, auditing benefits, developing policies and procedures,

and streamlining processes. Negotiated 15% decrease to 2011 medical

premium rates.

UW - Madison SBDC, Madison, WI 2010 to

present

Small Business Development Center

Presenter/Instructor for HR Section of Small Business Fundamentals Course

BAKER TILLY (formerly Virchow Krause), Madison, WI

2010

Large accounting and professional services firm with 1400 employees.

LTE position as Compensation and Benefits Analyst focusing on benefits

audits, developing Affirmative Action Programs for numerous locations, and

special projects as directed.

UNITY HEALTH INSURANCE, Sauk City, WI 2006 - 2009

Health Insurance provider for over 90,000 members in southern Wisconsin.

Human Resources Director responsible for all HR activities in small local

health insurance company, consisting of 175 non-unionized employees.

Managed Facilities Department of two.

. Provided guidance and support to all levels of management in areas of

performance issues.

. Responsible for regulatory compliance in all areas of benefits and

employment law. Worked with legal counsel on numerous employee

relations and compliance issues as needed.

. Developed comprehensive New Hire Orientation Manual including

information on Benefits, HR, Payroll, Security, Wellness, and IT.

Reduced questions/confusion of new hires and accelerated integration

in order to get New Hires productive more quickly.

. Modified and delivered New Supervisor/Manager Orientation program to

increase understanding of policies and procedures such as attendance,

discipline, recruiting, job descriptions, etc.

. Created and presented new training programs tailored to respond to

business needs:

o Holding Employees Accountable: Writing SMART (Specific,

Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) Goals - delivered to

employees, supervisors and managers to increase understanding of

expectations and improve quality of performance goals.

o Performance Management Process - reviewed timelines, forms,

merit process and expectations with new supervisors/managers.

o How to Write a Self-Evaluation - aided employees in new self-

evaluation process.

o Selecting for Success: Behavior Based Interviewing - increased

understanding of process in order to select best candidates and

ensured legal, consistent and smooth flowing interview process.

o Writing Effective Performance Evaluations - to aid completion of

fair and accurate reviews.

Karen Bender 608-***-****

Page 2

. Published bi-monthly employee newsletter and wrote almost daily blogs

to increase communica-tion; specifically in areas of wellness, benefit

or policy changes, employee interest items, activities, and general

business announcements.

. Assisted with creating and/or reviewed newly created job descriptions

for accuracy and relevance. Evaluated over 40 jobs to determine

proper, competitive salary range. Wrote detailed Compensa-tion

Philosophy for review by member of Board of Directors and received

positive feedback.

. Served as Project Manager for 401(k) conversion project.

. Chairperson of Wellness Committee. Organized and documented

activities that allowed us to receive two national and one state award

for programs.

. Member of the following committees: Security, Activities, Reward &

Recognition

NESTL (formerly Del Monte, Nabisco)

2006 and prior

World's largest food manufacturing company.

Nestl Purina, Jefferson, WI

Human Resources Manager in a 175 employee unionized pet food manufacturing

facility.

. Handled significant number of labor issues - grievances, terminations,

and arbitration preparation.

. Created and implemented Realistic Job Preview to reduce turn-over of

new hires.

. Working with Production Supervisors, created and implemented Hourly

Lead Review Program

Nestl Food Company, Stoughton, WI

Human Resources Manager in a 110 employee (down from 205) unionized food

manufacturing facility.

. Using consensus building, analysis and dispute resolution skills,

handled labor issues to avoid grievances when feasible. Handled well

over 300 grievances of varying nature. When resolution was not in

the company's best interest, assisted management staff and outside

counsel with arbitration. Established good rapport with Union

Committee and Business Agent.

. Established policies to foster consistent and fair treatment of

employees.

. Conducted training in many different areas to meet business needs -

safety, benefits, orientation, leadership, development, and regulatory

issues. Created training materials as needed.

. Significantly improved plant safety record as Chairperson of

Committee. Reduced lost time accidents (52 to 0) and recordable

injury rate (over 15 to less than 3). Programs included: enhancing

Safety Committee, improving company credibility and commitment,

rewards and incentives, and discipline when warranted. Extensive

training developed and conducted.

. Chief Spokesperson for three union contracts. Leveraged communication

and mediation skills to ratify at or below budget with no resulting

labor issues. Negotiated major policies - Attendance, Substance

Abuse, and health insurance changes. Member/advisor in three other

negotiations.

. Volunteered to coordinate Environmental Committee and related

activities to ensure compliance with new and changing laws. Used

initiative and inquisitiveness to learn new rules and ensure we met

our obligations. Collaborated with Engineer, distributed work load

among committee, oversaw permitting process, completed DNR and EPA

reports, and used organizational skills to coordinate the complex and

varied arenas involved. Facility was one of three (out of 40) to

achieve ISO 14001 certification.

. Acted as technical resource and leveraged skills to assist numerous

other sites in a variety of areas - AAP, EEOC audits, training,

safety, etc.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

. Mankato State College, Mankato, MN - Bachelors in Business Admin

. Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS)

. Society of Human Resources Management Senior Professional HR

Certification - UW Madison

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (partial list)

. Certified in Predictive Index - process to assess work behaviors for

placement, promotion, etc.

. SMART Goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely)

. Coaching

. Behavior Based Interviewing

. Performance Evaluations

. Harassment Investigations

. Leadership Effectiveness Training

. Family Medical Leave Act

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