Human Resources Manager

SUSAN A. CONTI

*** ***** **** (Cell) 314-***-****

Waterloo, IL 62298 ******@**************.***

*Relocating to San Clemente, CA

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Human Resources Executive Strong record of HR leadership and project management. Highlights:

• Leadership: Authored recruitment, benefits/compensation, performance review, leadership

development, and other innovative HR programs that achieved record ROI and productivity outcomes.

• Project management: Held a lead HR role in carrying out a complex merger involving more than

50 projects. Used project management technology to meet key goals of customer retention, operational

strength, and financial stability (secured cost savings in excess of $2 million).

• Technology: Serve as top-tier HR executive for HRIS, payroll and expense management. Led

organizational and teambuilding initiatives that reduced turnover to single-digit percentage.

• Corporate initiatives: Handpicked for assignments that provided exposure to all phases of the

business lifecycle growth, merger/acquisition, reorganization, contraction, and launch of new operations

groups/technology.

• Industry experience: Designed HR policies that supported business objectives in a variety of

market segments pharmaceutical, retail, manufacturing, oil and gas, casino, financial services.

• Communications: Noted by colleagues as a persuasive team builder with solid employee

relations skills.

EXPERIENCE

Vi-Jon, Inc., St. Louis, MO Dec. 2007 - Present

Sr. Vice President, Human Resources

Vice President, Human Resources (promoted)

Strategic HR leader focused on identifying initiatives for Human Resources to achieve successful long-term and profitable

business growth for private-label health and consumer-product Company with $600 million in revenues. Reporting directly

to the COO and managing a team of 17 professionals. Major initiatives to support the business strategy include:

• Led initiative to integrate multiple health programs and improve benefits for associates with no increase in

contribution costs. Transition to self-insured health programs and achieved a $1 million cost savings in 2009.

• Implementation of change management initiatives to support successful launch of $25M SAP enterprise software

program. Responsible for SAP technical training and Change Management to support go-live.

• Initiate talent management with a focus in recruiting key leadership positions (CEO, SVP, Sales;

VP Sales; SVP, Operations; Director of Marketing, Chief Response Officer)

• Source, develop and implement enterprise-wide ‘Partner4Success’ performance management system including

process, selection of technology, and leadership training to improve overall productivity of the workforce.

• Develop and implement communication programs to improve overall employee engagement by building

awareness to corporate strategy, key objectives, and overall business performance.

• Coach and counsel senior executives in all areas of employee development, performance management,

organizational development. One on one coaching to sharpen skills for future organizational leaders and

influencing positive change. Led initiative to develop and implement a balanced scorecard process for corporate

strategic planning and goal-setting process.

• Launch HR process improvements including payroll, compensation & benefits, recruiting and training &

development.

• Manage $2.1M budget with a focus on efficiency and expense control reducing 2009 budget by 11%.

SUSAN A. CONTI Page Two

Strategies in Human Resources, LLC (6/2006 – 12/2007)

President and Owner

Launched new business and led human resources consulting practice providing a variety of strategic, advisory and

executive development roles for small to medium-sized organizations. Handle all aspects of business, including sales,

marketing, business development, accounting, recruiting and training and consulting services including:

• Executive Coach

• Developed and implemented marketing program to generate an increase of client base – 60%

• Expanded merger and acquisition practice to include post-integration, organizational realignment, due diligence,

and communication programs.

• Professional Executive Recruiting on a National level for positions including Controller (Arizona), HR Manager

(Minnesota), National Account Executive (Mexico, Hawaii and Missouri)

Client Companies include: Fleischmann Yeast; Omnia Group; Western Windows; Mindseye Group; Vi-Jon, Inc.

Spectrum Brands (formerly Rayovac/Remington) St. Louis, MO (10/2001 – 2/2007)

Member of executive leadership team providing HR leadership and company oversight for human resources. Manage all

processes and policies supporting divisions within North America for Spectrum Brands, a rapidly growing, global,

diversified, market-driven consumer products company with $2.8 billion in annualized revenue and 9,800 employees

worldwide.

Sr. Director, Global Human Capital, Corporate

Director of Human Resources, North America

• Work with senior executive team to identify key HR initiatives, provide consulting services in the development of

HR policy and program initiatives consistent with corporate objectives and champion major change activities.

• Development and launch of corporate communications program to improve overall effectiveness, alignment to

corporate goals and enhance integration activities.

• Utilizing collaboration techniques - launch performance management system to newly-integrated teams. Identify

launch program to initiate training globally in Canada, US, UK and Brazil.

Director, Organizational Development (promoted)

• Developed and piloted talent management program. Successfully used top grading recruitment techniques,

designed system, and collaborated with senior management to assess organizational talent and structural design

to achieve organizational growth through calibration sessions and improved talent profiles to assist in being

‘talent-ready’ development program.

• HR lead in the transition/integration of multiple acquisitions including ($150M Canadian consumer-products

company, 2004, $350M; a Pet Division in 2004; and $1B lawn and garden retail division in 2005). Experienced in

due diligence, initiating large-scale change programs involving corporate restructuring, productivity, organizational

redesign and efficiency initiatives. Create a sense of urgency to drive positive organizational change, business

improvements, benchmarking and best practices.

Director of Human Resources, Operations (promoted)

• Directed Human Resources functions to support multi-site operations (1,000 employees) accountable for

delivering the following results:

• Develop and implement diversity program and initiatives

• Responsible for overall strategies for recruitment and retention of top talent.

• Successfully negotiated a 3-year labor contract with Painter’s District Council #2 with creative wage package,

benefit enhancements, an overall cost savings of $650k, and ratified prior to expiration date. Interacted

extensively with union officials and managed a positive labor relations environment.

SUSAN A. CONTI Page Three

Excaliber Holdings Corporation, St. Louis, MO (1/2000 – 10/2001)

Corporate Director, Human Resources

Top human resource executive for start-up steel tubular and fabrication manufacturer. Excaliber operated 8 locations,

sold to over 4,000 accounts and employed approximately 3,000 employees. Reported to President and CEO.

• Company oversight for all Human Resource functions. 100% start-up function. Developed infrastructure and all

programs, policies and process to support newly-integrated business.

• Created and administered base compensation programs.

• Responsible for all benefits administration, contract negotiations including risk management.

• Contract spokesperson in negotiating successful union contract with United Steelworker’s of America

• Led all corporate HR initiatives throughout a full Chapter 11 initiative.

President Casinos, Inc., St. Louis, MO (1/1998 – 1/2000)

Director, Human Resources

Human resource executive with responsibility for employee relations, labor relations, safety/loss control, recruiting,

compensation and benefits, and training for a Casino that employed 800 employees (both union and non-union).

Reported to President and General Manager.

• Implemented new performance appraisal system for hourly and salaried employees and led implementation of

new merit pay program.

• Successfully negotiated a new 4-year labor agreement with two unions (SEIU, Service Employees International

Union and the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union, HERE)

• Administration of employee benefit plans including medical, life, disability, 401k plan. Led team to implement

Employee Handbook.

• Developed and implemented management training program.

Whitney Design, Inc., (Consumer Products) Director of HR

Clark Refining & Marketing, Inc., (Oil and Gas) Regional HR Manager

Highland Packaging/Bock Pharmacal, (Pharmaceuticals) HR Manager

Arthur Andersen & Company, (Financial Services) HR Generalist

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AFFILIATION

Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, IL

Major: Business Administration

Kepner Tregoe – Certified, Project Management

Society for Human Resource Management (Member)

Board Member, Mindset Solutions (2006 – Present)

Board Member, Life Crisis Services (1995 – 1998)

The OD Network (Member)

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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