Manuel Velazquez
Smyrna, GA
c: 787-***-****
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Bilingual, MBA, Project Manager Professional (PMP), Global and Senior Certified Human Resources Professional (GPHR and SHRM-SCP) with over 12 years of experience building human resource capital and over 20 years of business experience aligning structures with strategic goals bringing double-digit revenue growth through various consecutive business cycles. “2017 Best Employer Award” for leading world-class human resources practices resulting in top levels of employee engagement and employee experience.
Areas of Expertise
• Project Management
• Engagement & Company Branding • Strategic Human Resources Planning & Management
• High Performing Workforce Acquisition & Retention
• Leadership Coaching & Mentoring • Change Management & Culture Transformation
• Federal & State Law Compliance
• HRIS & Business Analytics • Learning & Organizational Effectiveness
• Global Compensation Programs
Professional Experience
Suiza Dairy Corp., San Juan, PR (Manufacturing, Marketing & Distribution Operation)
Director of Human Resources Senior HR and Legal Advisor, October 2010 - Present
Key Contributor of Executive Team reporting to the General Manager and VP of HR led high volume of projects in the Human Resources department across five job sites in Puerto Rico and Orlando, Florida. Transformed company culture through talent management and strategic human resources planning fostering communication and retention, while increasing key measures of business effectiveness in all departments. Implemented learning and leadership academies, designed and championed mentoring and coaching programs, and positioned the company as a top employer to reduce turnover and ensure optimal succession planning.
• Identified talent gaps at all levels, led recruitment and re-assignments to new rolls for 90% of all directors through DISC tests, Succession and Development Programs based on a five-year human resources strategic plan and management projects calendars resulting in record-breaking business results cycle after cycle.
• Increased engagement levels in 16% through the design and implementation of competitive salary scales and retention incentive programs, revised job descriptions and compensation programs, revised policies on diversity, affirmative action plan, and recognition programs to attract and retain key personnel fostering transparency and communication.
• Led change management and employee relations improving the internal company brand and employee work experience through learning and leadership programs as per engagement surveys, receiving continuous internal and external recognition for large-scale transformation of culture and world-class practices in human resources as “Best Employer for 2017”.
• Championed first integrated Health & Wellness Center in Puerto Rico's manufacturing industry, reducing claims by $600,000 annually since 2012. Reducing cost of Wellness Program from $550 to $398 per employee by 2017. Decreased turnover by 8.33%, OSHA cases by 27%, and lost work days by 63% from 2010 to 2016.
• Championed implementation of Shared Services for payroll and benefits and implemented a new HRIS system for business analytics, reducing processing time by 20%, overtime by 210%, and generating annual savings of $220,000, creating best practices for the corporate division.
• Championed employee relations in the closure of entire job site and relocation to a new facility capable of accommodating 400% increase in space and staff aligning resources with strategic business goals. Maintained union-free environment at company's largest jobsite.
Various Law Practices ThinkStrat Consulting, LLC O’Neill & Borges, LLC Chapter 7, 12, & 13 Trustees, San Juan, PR
Human Resources Consultant (Project Manager) Attorney Student Attorney, June 2007 - September 2010
Led Human Resources right-sizing initiative for 80,000 employees across 78 organizations with three Data Analysts and a team of twenty-five Independent Contractors to manage, investigate and resolve 1,900 labor claims. Developed labor law legal strategies and presented them to Board of Directors and Senior Management. Researched COBRA and ERISA law, contract clauses for multiple organizations. Litigated cases relating to unjustified layoffs, union issues, and seniority. Prepared depositions, conducted interviews, and drafted legal documents.
• Eliminated or restructured 17,044 positions, generating $645 million in annual savings.
Vector Marketing, San Juan, PR (Marketing & Sales Operation)
Manager of Human Resources and Sales December 1995 - May 1999
Responsible for the Recruiting, Training, and Development of five district offices in Puerto Rico and one office overseas in Costa Rica with a fluctuating sales force of over 500 employees. Weekly training for managers and supervisors (small groups of 5 to 10) and for sales groups (big groups of 300+) assuring individual and division financial objectives.
• Designed, created and implemented trainings on motivation, time management, team building, goal development, communication skills, conflict management, personal development plans, closing a sale, how to increase the average sale, balance of work with family responsibilities, and how to reach financial objectives.
• 27 International Sales Records, repositioned main Division Office from #50 to #2 among 400 offices.
Additional Experience
Johnson & Johnson, Key Account Manager, 2006 - 2007
Kimberly-Clark, Key Account Executive Sales Planner, 2001 - 2006
Gerber Products, Human Resources Liaison Sales Analyst, 1999 - 2001
Education & Credentials
Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate, 2018
The Knowledge Academy Ltd., 37.5 hrs. Online Course.
Senior Certified Professional in Human Resources (SHRM-SCP), 2015 - 2019
Society for Human Resources Management, Alexandria, VA
Global Certified Professional in Human Resources (GPHR), 2013 - 2020
Human Resources Certification Institute, Alexandria, VA
Juris Doctor (JD) and Licensed Attorney with expertise in Labor Relations, 2009
University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Finance and Marketing, 2004
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
Bachelor of Science (BS), Natural Sciences, 1998
University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
MIT Executive Program Certificate - Artificial Intelligence (AI): Implications for Business Strategy, 2018
MIT Sloan School of Management & MIT CSAIL, 6 Weeks Online Management and Leadership Course
Professional Affiliations
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 2010 - Present
• Project Management Institute (PMI), 2018
• Puerto Rico State Bar, 2010 - Present