Fern Downing, SPHR

**** ********** ***** ***********, ** 60527● 630-***-**** ● ac0xau@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE

Human Resource Professional with experience working with all levels of the organization from top executives to hourly workers implementing cost effective programs and enhancing the development of the workforce in union and non-union manufacturing and service environments.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Strategic Planning

Performance Management

HR Program/Project Management

Organizational Development

Management Consulting and Advising

Employment Law Compliance

FMLA/ADA/EEO/WC

Affirmative Action Compliance

HR Policies and Procedures

Employee Relations

Labor Relations

Union Contract Negotiation

Staff Recruitment & Retention

Benefits Design & Administration

Training & Development

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

BWAY Corporation, Chicago, IL June 2015 to Present

Manufacturer of Metal Containers

Sr. Human Resources Manager (5 Direct Reports- 500 Employees)

Reporting to the Director of Operations and VP HR

Working with the Executive Leadership Team developing the Human Resource 3 year strategic plan for the organization encompassing plastics and metals.

Implementing a two (2) year Professional Development program targeted to improve bench strength of Management Team selection with a goal of creating Plant Manager candidates. Allow development of talent across business units.

Implement strategy to improve the mechanical aptitude of hourly workforce- selected process for mechanical testing. Instituted a testing format for all new hourly new hires to improve retention and turnover rates.

Partnered with local agencies to retrain and reintroduce workers back into the workforce resulting in garnering $20,000 of the Chicago Metals plant.

Standardizing fee agreements across the 9 metal plants to ensure all agreements offer guarantees and protection for the business unit.

Implemented process to reduce Labor costs by $300,000 per month.

Design and implementation of the Employee Recognition program with offerings for all employees hourly and salary; rollout in Chicago with scheduled rollout to the other 8 locations

Develop team focused on reviewing employee engagement survey results and creating projects to improve results

Auditing all locations for required federal and state regulatory compliance.

Rebuilt the Chicago Leadership team within 6 months.

ASG- AGI-Shorewood Group, Melrose Park, IL September 2012 to June 2015

Special packaging and rigid box manufacturer.

Director/ Sr. Human Resources Manager (multi-sites; 9 locations 6 states) - (company sold-site closed)

Reporting to the General Manager and VP of HR. (800 employees- union and nonunion environments)

Oversight of all locations assisting with employee relations, labor relations, compensation structure, recruitment & onboarding as well as safety concerns. Updating the Global President and CEO on all possible HR related exposures. Working with the Executive Leadership Team to rollout Incentive Reward Program.

Working with Senior Management executing severance agreements and other terms relating to the separation process. Active leader on restructuring the CSR, Project Management and Planning operations roles; led job description team while working on Front End Optimization Team revamping job descriptions and creating job levels for the group.

Implementation of Performance Management System for the facility as well as the corporate team. Assisting and coaching managers on proper execution and communication of results. Calibrating the results to ensure consistency amongst all departments and functions. Complete Talent Matrix across the organization and develop a strategy for identifying top talent in the industry.

Developing and implementing a Change Management Strategy to drive the transformation of two business entities into one with comprehensive policies and procedures for all locations. Working with General Managers and other executives to create an organizational strategy focused on People, Passion and Performance to engage and empower the workforce.

Standardizing the on-boarding process as well as ensuring all fee agreements are consistent and all staffing requisitions are reviewed, approved and budgeted. Establishing new hire processes for all locations.

Led the Facility Leadership Team to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the operation by mapping out the process and noting gaps or areas for improvement. Creating strategies to close the gaps to increase profitability.

Developing and implementing a succession planning and talent acquisition matrix to identify talent and build for future growth.

Execute vendor management, Great West Plan Administrator, Sterling Background Services, Cigna Disability and other carriers.

ACH FOOD COMPANIES, Summit, IL 2010- 2012

Packaging and distribution of Mazola Oils and Argo Syrups

Manager, Human Resources (sought expanded role with corporate responsibilities)

Reporting to the Director of Plant Operations-responsible for 170 union and administrative personnel.

Responsible for the development of 3 direct reports, HR Administrator, HR Generalist and HSE Specialist.

Create strategies to drive culture change for the location in order to improve the overall operation of the facility. Identifying tools to measure the effectiveness of the changes initiated.

Routinely partner with corporate human resources to share best practices and develop strategic plans covering Performance Management, Talent Planning, Staffing & Retention as well as Succession Planning.

Calibrate performance reviews to ensure all managers are evaluating salaried personnel in a similar manner.

Develop and implement plan to maximize employee engagement and enhance talent management.

Successfully negotiated 2 union collective bargaining agreements in 2010. Also partnered with Legal department by preparing responds to 5 NLRB charges and several EEOC charges; all resulting in no findings. Prepared documentation to defend company in 5 arbitration hearings.

Designed and implemented Leadership development program spanning 24 months.

Upgraded the talent and experience within the human resources department through redesign of roles and responsibilities. Also updated all salaried job descriptions to ensure management core competencies are identified and executed. Constantly working with department managers in coaching for improvement and managing change within the organization.

Implemented hourly training format for new hires and transfers as well as updating and publishing a new Employee Handbook as well as design and facilitate Compliance training for all personnel.

Overseeing the Health Safety and Environmental program for Argo/Summit facility including implementation of a plant wide strategic plan to reduce workers compensation claims and manage costs. In addition, effectively reduced the number of recordables by 82% by implementing programs to focus on corrective actions and preventative measures.

ALCAN PACKAGING, Chicago, Illinois 2007 – 2010

Leading manufacturer of plastics packaging material. (Company was sold- position eliminated)

Regional Human Resource Manager, (multiple sites)

Reporting to the Director of Manufacturing with responsibility for two plant locations with 200 union workers. Managed 2 direct reports.

Utilized Key Performance Indicator’s (KPI) to measure effectiveness of HR activities within each facility resulting in creation of more effective programs for recruitment turnaround time and employee recognition. Improved diversity rates within the leadership team by 32%

Developed and implemented Health and Wellness programs which improved the experience data and reduced the employee contribution amount for 2010.

Administration and interpretation of Hogan Assessment results- Developing plan to enhance employee skills

Managed day to day relationships for two union locals, decreasing the number of grievances filed by 70%. Successfully represented the company on two claims. Both claims were dismissed.

Established partnership with a local university to provide onsite training for hourly and salaried workers which saved $27,000. Obtained additional training grants of $10,000 to further reduce costs.

Led 2 Green Belt projects focused on reducing labor variances and developing cross training structure to reduce headcount.

PEPPERIDGE FARM INC., Downers GROVE, ILLINOIS 2001 – 2007

National leader of quality premium baked goods.

Manager, Human Resources

Reporting to the Plant Manager supervising 5 direct reports and managing all functional areas of HR, medical department, company store and cafeteria.

Administer and interpret leadership 360 degree results working with Corporate HR to design Individual Development Plan for each participant as well as tracking the results/ success of the plan.

Established policy consistency and interpretation by creating an Employee Handbook and Policy Manual for managers and supervisors. Trained all to the new documents.

Implemented a plant wide Recognition Program resulting in an increase of employee suggestions for process improvements and downtime reduction.

Led the Maintenance and Engineering team in mapping their work order process resulting in a 23% increase in work order completion rate.

Developed maintenance evaluation process to better assess the skill level of the maintenance personnel. Partnered with Joliet Junior College to provide on site PLC training to reduce machine downtime.

Reduced cost of workers compensation claims by providing more direct care with onsite contract physicians and monitoring claims. Created comprehensive list of transitional duties to keep injured workers on the job.

MFRI, INC., Skokie, Illinois 1998 - 2001

Multi-line company providing pre-insulated specialty piping systems, custom-designed industrial filtration products, thermal transfer equipment and installation of HVAC for large buildings. Oversaw multiple locations in IL, VA and TN.

Corporate Manager, Human Resources (multiple sites- 5 entities; 3 states)

Reporting to VP of Administration/CEO of Midwesco Inc. Hired to establish the HR function for 1100 employees in four locations for MFRI and Midwesco Services. Managed one direct report and three dotted line reports.

Managed vendor selection process and transfer of account data during transition of company’s 401k plan.

Led a team to transition the Ceridian payroll system into an integrated robust HRIS system for all locations.

Worked with Mesirow (TPA) to annually review and modify the health care plan to seek out cost saving plan designs based on experience rate.

Provide direction and oversight for all employee relations issues throughout the organization.

SWEETHEART CUP COMPANY, Chicago, Illinois 1995 - 1998

Paper and plastics manufacturer of products used for the consumer/retail foodservice markets.

Human Resources Manager

Reporting to the Director of HR with one direct report supporting 1300 employees managed the day to day administration and policy interpretation.

CONTINENTAL CABLEVISION, Elmhurst, Illinois 1992 - 1995

Human Resources Analyst, (1994 - 1995)

Human Resources Coordinator, (1992 - 1994)

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Benedictine University - Lisle, Illinois: Masters in Management and Organizational Behavior

Marquette University - Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

Lean Manufacturing-Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, 2009

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