Paula L. Straus
********@*****.***
SUMMARY
Seasoned HR and Operations management professional with success identifying, developing, retaining and motivating talent to achieve financial results, operational excellence and strategic alignment. Creative, energetic and innovative candidate with expertise in identifying process improvement opportunities, within HR & Operations, at all levels of the organization.
20+ years of hands-on and oversight experience in benefits, labor relations, union avoidance, strike planning & implementation, training and development, talent acquisition, strategic planning, and process improvement. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; exceptional presentation and training abilities. Relies upon consultative approach for interactions across all business hierarchies. Areas of demonstrated value include:
-Learning, Leadership Development and Succession Planning Program Creation & Implementation
-Shared Services Development & Implementation - Collaborative Workforce Strategies
-Learning and Development Program - Full-cycle Recruiting
-Executive & Managerial Coaching/Talent Mgmt. - Compensation/Incentive Programs
-Regulatory Compliance/Diversity Training - HR Strategy/Project Management
-Change Management/Acquisition Integration - Leadership Development
-Sarbanes Oxley Implementation - Team Dynamics Assessment
-Recruitment/Retention Strategies - Microsoft Office
-SuccessFactors, PeopleSoft, Oracle, ADP, SAP - Cerner, AllScripts, CareWatch,
-Six Sigma & Kaizen OnBase, CPR+, HomeWorks
-Workday, Salesforce.com, Informa, enwisen - LBi Software, Servicenow
WORK EXPERIENCE
Independent Consultant Aug. 2016 – Present
Responsible for providing HR expertise in all areas of the function including developing and implementing policies and procedures, ensuring state and federal compliance, full cycle recruiting, training and development, and developing compensation policies and program.
Deloitte, LLP Oct. 2014 – Aug. 2016
Senior Consultant, HR
Responsible for providing HR expertise to a variety of organizations including a large Healthcare organization and a large chemical company.
BEAUMONT HOME HEALTH SERVICES Feb. 2013 – Oct. 2014
ACCELION HEALTH, Madison Heights, MI
Director, HR & Shared Services
Responsible for the management and oversight of the functional support departments of home services: Intake; Call Center (switchboard); Staff Development and Education; Records Management; Payroll; Communications. Specifically focused on the realignment and streamlining of processes to better service the customer and increase the profitability of the organization.
Lead and directed the Shared Services team to streamline processes and implement best practices across the lines of business into one Shared Services Model. Key focus was identifying redundant processes within the division and devising methods to consolidate and reduce waste where applicable.
Transitioned and integrated the human resources and operations for 700 employees from Accelion Health to BHHS.
HR Consultant, IL & MI 2010 – 2013
Provided HR services to organizations in Michigan and the Chicagoland area. Services included:
Implementing HR departments in four start-up businesses
Developing and implementing Learning and Leadership Development programs to support succession planning and future growth
Training and developing staff
Implementing succession planning programs
Merger and acquisition management
Implementing new benefits programs
Negotiating union contracts
Writing employee handbooks
DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, Northlake, IL 2009 – 2010
Regional Director, Human Resources
Lead and directed the HR function for 94 locations and 4800 employees across 18 states. Administered all benefits, corrective action programs, union contracts, safety programs, quality assurance initiatives, incentive programs, and associate accountability programs. Successfully implemented company initiatives such as “Call to ACTION”, DOT compliance conversion, and EEO audit procedures prior to any other HR team.
Streamlined the business unit’s HR team and territories, saving $275,000 in personnel and travel costs
Converted the business’s DOT recordkeeping to an outside source, which revealed several drivers that were out of compliance. Saved the organization significant dollars and potential legal and public relations issues
WESCO/EESCO/CSC, Chicago, IL 2007 - 2009
Regional Director, Human Resources
Supported the senior leadership teams of three distinct businesses, consisting of 3000 employees across the United States. Effectively integrated all corporate HR policies and procedures into a newly acquired business consisting of 1200 employees.
Developed and implemented a full-scale performance management system that identified and rewarded successful performance behaviors, promoted goal achievement and ensured consistency at every level
Partnered with a peer to build a career development program which was utilized to build the skills of high potential and promotable candidates in support of the succession process
ARAMARK FSS, Farmington Hills, MI 2003 - 2007
Regional Director, Human Resources
Responsible for providing HR guidance and the training and development of individuals at 160 locations across Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, a region totaling $130 million in sales. Developed and implemented programs including needs assessment/career advancement, DDI Targeted Selection and interviewing program, broadbanding compensation system, Quality University training initiative, 360-degree feedback performance system and a performance management system. Coached several individuals that were promoted from General Manager to District Manager, and then to the Vice President level.
Contributed to talent assessment and the development of a high performance team assisting region in advancing the financial position from -$1.5 million to +$300,000 in profit in less than two years
Successfully created and executed a safety program that saved $1.2 million in pure worker’s compensation costs within two years
Wrote and defended position statements for the EEOC, Civil Rights Commission of Ohio, Unemployment Division, and other federal entities; 100% successful conclusions
Prepared, defended and ultimately prevailed in several mediation and arbitration cases; 80% successful conclusions
Developed Affirmative Action plans and successfully completed the OFCCP audit receiving letters of compliance
INTERNATIONAL PAPER, Howell, MI 2002 - 2003
Regional Director, Human Resources
Responsible for administering all CDW, Balanced Scorecard, CSA, and one-on-one functions, ensuring that they were within legal boundaries and that they were designed to advance the individual and the organization. Administered all benefits, corrective action programs, union contracts, safety programs, quality assurance programs, incentive programs, and associate accountability programs. Drove policies and procedures to ensure VPP and ISO 9000 certification.
Successful in both union and non-union environment; negotiated contracts, resolved grievances, acted as management’s advocate during arbitrations, devised and implemented training and wellness programs, and initiated incentive programs
Wrote a strike plan, solicited and signed agreements with vendors, and had the implementation plan ready in case an anticipated strike occurred. Fortunately, a contract was signed in the 11th hour.
INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT, Ann Arbor, MI 2001 – 2002
Consulted for an Ann Arbor based organization, developing an employee handbook, and a full performance management system and compensation system. Implemented the systems with the executive staff and performed multiple training sessions for individuals at all levels of the organization.
ADT SECURITY SERVICES, INC., Dayton, Ohio 1997 - 2001
General Manager (Promotion)
Mid-West Regional Manager, Human Resources
District manager with full responsibility of a $20 million operation including P&L, budget, sales, service, installation, 86 associates and 6 managers. Total budget responsibility including commercial and residential sales, resales, discontinuances, dismantlements, annual service charge, advanced service charge, T&E and EBIT.
Successfully led a sales force of 20 individuals to overcome a deficit of $500,000 NSP
EDUCATION
PhD, Higher Adult & Lifelong Education
and Labor & Industrial Relations Michigan State University E. Lansing, MI
(Completed coursework &
comprehensive exam)
Master’s Degree, Business Administration Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant, MI
Bachelor of Science, Psychology & Business Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant, MI
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Six Sigma Kaizen Emotional Intelligence
7 Habits of Highly Effective Leaders Influencer 1&2 Leadership Essentials
DDI Certified 360-Degree Facilitator Managing within the Law
Lominger Certified ISO 9000 Certified Responding to the Media
Strategic Leadership Institute Miller Heiman Strategic Selling CCL Executive Leadership Certified Labor Negotiator Strategic HR – Delivering Results Gallup Certified
Advanced PowerPoint Skills Advanced Storyboarding Sr. Consultant Milestone