Human Resources Manager
Resume:
Dennis Kirkland **** Harmony Ridge
Circle
Semmes, AL 36575
ablcai@r.postjobfree.com
Human Resources Manager
Manufacturing Focused
Over 15 years of managerial Human Resources experience in various manufacturing industries. Successful involvement in
three start-ups, mergers & acquisitions, two shutdowns, and two very challenging turnaround situations. Experience in non-
union, union, and union avoidance environments. Effectively cultivate and build HR teams that are respected and engaged “on
the floor” to support employees and the overall business objectives. Professional strengths include:
Executive / Staff / Hourly Recruiting Training & Organizational Development Reorganizations
Employee / Labor Relations Safety, Health & Environmental Leader Expatriate Programs
HR Startups & Turnarounds Culture Development & Sustainment Lean Manufacturing
HUMAN RESOURCES EXPERIENCES
ThyssenKrupp Stainless USA, LLC. – Calvert, AL 2007 -
Present
ThyssenKrupp Stainless, partnered with its’ sister company ThyssenKrupp Steel, is a Greenfield project renowned as the “largest private
construction project in the United States” with a $5.5 billion investment on 3,600 acres. When completely developed, the site will have
2,700 Team Members. The Stainless business will have approximately 1,000 Team Members and will be a leading producer of quality
stainless coils and flat products.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Staff: Three (3) Human Resources Recruiters
The sixth person hired in this massive project and was immediately charged with recruiting and staffing at all levels of the
organization. Challenged with developing the policies and procedures for the business, along with maintaining high degree of
flexibility within the culture. Analyzed local and industry markets to create compensation, benefit & incentive programs. Key player
in maintaining a union-free status.
HR Manager role includes culture and values development and deployment; policy and procedures creation; compensation
and benefits development; budgeting; personnel planning; training and organizational development; and shift planning and
design.
Instrumental in developing the staffing concept and then orchestrating the recruitment of all exempt and non-exempt
Team Members in a cost effective manner. Interviewed thousands of candidates for employment while utilizing multiple
selection techniques and behavioral interviewing.
Partnered with Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) to recruit and train candidates through a pre-hire
orientation and training class.
Launched a strategic partnership with eight (8) colleges and universities to recruit engineers and various business
internships.
Traveled to Germany and Mexico to assist in the training and development of Team Members.
Relocated and orientated expatriates to serve as subject matter experts during the commissioning phases.
Involved in a reorganization that led to the downsizing of our Chicago office. Responsible for effective
communications, generating severance packages, and outplacement techniques.
Worked to remain union-free facility despite organizing attempts by the United Steel Workers.
Developed and implemented the Team Member Handbook.
2 Kirkland
Graphic Packaging International – West Monroe, LA 2006 -
2007
Graphic Packaging is a provider of paperboard packaging and other paper products. The West Monroe Mill has 800 employees
supporting 5 paper machines which are represented by United Steel Workers.
LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER
Staff: Indirectly supervised payroll and benefit functions
Brought on board to lead a turnaround in the HR department that suffered from a tarnished reputation of mistrust and poor service
orientation. Challenged immediately with a massive backlog of grievances, damaged labor/mgmt relations, and payroll & benefit
issues. Evaluated the HR team and made some adjustments while creating immediate visibility for the group. Transformed the
department into a service oriented entity within the organization.
Responsible for Labor Relations, Payroll, Training, and Benefit Administration; interpreting and negotiating contract
language; investigating and resolving all claims of employee misconduct; managing grievances and workforce
complaints; recruitment and selection; overseeing operator certification program; while building credibility in the HR
department by establishing strong rapport with all employees in the organization.
Immediately relocated the HR department to be in the middle of foot traffic and incorporated “on the floor” HR
expectations to increase visibility.
Worked collectively with the Union and Management Teams to reduce a two year backlog of grievances.
Orchestrated 12 hour shifts to improve morale and generate overtime savings.
Restructured payroll processing and benefits administration to improve payroll errors and reduce benefit
misinterpretations.
MasterBrand Cabinets – Talladega, AL
2003 - 2006
Masterbrand Cabinets, a subsidiary of Fortune Brands, Inc., provides kitchen and bath solutions to consumers and channel partners
across North America. The Kitchen Classics Division supplies kitchen cabinets to Lowe’s Home Improvement Centers. The division is
comprised of 520 associates in three facilities located in Talladega, AL, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and Louisville, KY.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER – KITCHEN CLASSICS DIVISION
Staff: Five (5) Human Resources Professionals to include: payroll, benefits, safety and training
After a complete management restructuring, was hired to assist in an operational turnaround as the business was suffering from poor
performance, massive turnover, and safety & environmental issues. Instrumental in providing strategic positive change for the
business that resulted in expansions.
Overall responsible for Human Resources, Safety, Training, Security, Payroll, Benefits and Workforce Development;
creating and managing employee policies, job descriptions and performance appraisals; recruitment and selection of
hourly and salary employees; investigating and resolving claims of misconduct and unsatisfactory performance,
harassment and violence; and managing or assisting legal counsel in unemployment and workers’ compensation claims,
30(b)(6) depositions and trial preparations.
Reduction of OSHA recordable case rate from 10.56 to 2.86.
Started two satellite facilities; Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Louisville, KY.
Achieved continuous improvement initiative to save $700,000 in legal fee accruals.
Reduced monthly average turnover from 5.5% to 1.79%.
Smurfit – Stone Container Corporation – Stevenson, AL
1999 - 2003
Smurfit-Stone is a North American premier paper and packaging company. The Stevenson Mill has 450 members and is recognized in the
industry as a low cost / high quality producer of corrugated medium.
ASSISTANT HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Staff: None
3 Kirkland
Employed during a time in which the mill underwent three (3) organizational mergers starting as Mead, then MeadWestvaco and
finally Smurfit-Stone. Served as the “face” of management on the floor during the organizational changes to keep morale positive
and assist in change management. Incorporated the founding principles of which the mill was established upon to be the cornerstone
of the value systems.
Responsible for the recruitment and selection of exempt and non-exempt staff; advising members and management
regarding policy interpretation and application; resolving conflict by facilitating problem resolution meetings; developing
trusting relationships with all levels in the organization; investigating and resolving all claims of member misconduct;
assisting management with the development of performance improvement plans; and supervising training and security
efforts.
Instituted a thorough method for screening and selecting highly qualified operations/maintenance candidates.
Saved $310,000 annually in overtime reduction initiatives which included shift restructuring and coordinating the
needs of line management with mill leadership team. The shift also provided more work / life balance and enhanced morale.
Developed and coordinated mill transition to 12 hour shifts which resulted in a 38% reduction in absenteeism and
overtime savings.
Assisted in the training and organization development guidelines that support the Stevenson Mill Team Concept and
the Smurfit-Stone Culture.
The Hudson Companies – Troy, AL
1994 - 1999
The Hudson Companies was a manufacturer of salad dressings and sauces for the food service industry.
It was comprised of 375 employees across two manufacturing facilities (Troy, AL and Port St. Lucie, FL) and a transportation division.
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
Staff: Three (3)
Was employed as the Safety & Health Manager for the first two (2) years and was promoted to the HR Manager role. Hudson was a
very fast-paced manufacturing environment with high turnover and ill-managed workers’ compensation claims. Collectively grew
the business to include acquiring a facility in Florida.
Overall responsible for Human Resources, Safety, Training and Security; developed and administered policies and
procedures; created and monitored performance appraisal and bonus program; developed compensation structure for
operations; coached and counseled members and managers; and managed compensation / benefits administration.
Decreased employee turnover by 45%.
Created and facilitated Supervisory Leadership Training Program.
Produced Employee Handbook and HR Policies & Reference Manual.
Successfully defended all EEOC charges and other legal mediations.
Reduced Incurred workers’ compensation cost by $480,000.
EDUCATION
Bachelors of Science; Human Services / Health
Troy State University
Completion of SHRM’s Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) Certificate
Confidentiality Requested and Appreciated
Professional References Available Upon Request
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