Brian D. Tennant, SPHR
PO Box ****; Ackerman, MS 39735
662-***-**** *********@*****.***
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Dedicated Human Resources professional with over 20 year's progressive
experience in manufacturing. Managed a full spectrum of Human Resources
programs, services, and functions. Strong command in employee relations,
employment law, compliance, benefit administration, workers compensation,
safety regulations, and recruitment programs. Ability to transition to any
size company and industry.
Employee & Labor Relations Employment Law
Safety & Workers Compensation Benefits & Compensation
Project Management Organizational Development &
Training
Talent Management/Succession Cultural Change Management
Planning
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Resolute Forest Products, (formerly AbitiBowater) Grenada, MS Sept
2011 - Mar 2014
180 employee paper mill- newsprint, non-union
Human Resources Manager
. Managed every facet of traditional HR manufacturing support for 24/7 mill
with 4 teams
. Responsible for providing direct management and guidance to 3 direct
reports to include Safety Manager, Training Technician and HR Generalist
. Partnered with Senior Manager providing direction on Labor Compliance,
Total Compensation, EEOC, Performance, Training, Employee Relations,
Budgeting, Strategic Planning, and Change Management
. Served as Lead Team member for entire mill, working in an advisory
council role to Mill Manager regarding concerns that impacted the mill
(safety, accounting, shipping, procurement, cost, etc.)
. Worked closely with employees to ensure needs were met to remain union
free
. Coached 2 General Managers during employment to acclimate to processes,
procedures and culture
. Reduced recordable injury rate to .50
. Reduced mill headcount by 13% without compromising safety or production
UPCHURCH PLUMBING Inc., Greenwood, MS
Jan - Sept 2011
280 employees, multiple locations, non-union
Director of Human Resources and Safety
. Responsible for Human Resource functions and labor compliance for
multiple federal contracts;
. Mentored for supervisors and employees, and provided training including
union avoidance, recruiting, training, investigations, workers
compensation management, labor issues and litigation, grievances, benefit
administration, drug testing, on boarding and separations
. Prepared and provided key shareholders with current HR statistics and
recommendations including; headcounts, applicant flow, turnover rates,
wage surveys, safety statistics, EO and Affirmative Action Program
oversight
. Provided overall management of safety compliance; responsible for all
OSHA compliance, partnerships with various risk management insurance
carriers, reducing injury/incident rates, inspections and investigations
. Reduced recordable injuries by 70% over previous year
GEORGIA-PACIFIC, Louisville, MS, Grenada, MS, Fordyce, AR, Hosford, FL
Feb 2000 - Sept 2010
Building Products Division, 400+ employees, multiple facilities, union and
non-union
Area Human Resources Manager
. Responsible for every aspect of Human Resources for multiple, 24/7
facilities including; mentoring supervisors and employees, performance
evaluations program, union avoidance, recruiting, training,
investigations, workers compensation management, labor issues and
litigation, collective bargaining negotiations, grievances, benefits
administration, drug testing, on boarding and separations.
. Provided divisional HR with monthly and quarterly reports on current HR
statistics including; headcounts, applicant flow, turnover rates, wage
surveys, safety statistics, investigation and performance evaluation
status
. Prior to a strategy change at division, my HR role also encompassed
safety management
. Achieved distinction of VPP Star status while serving in additional duty
as Safety Manager at Grenada, the first in our group.
. Maintained "Union Free" status despite difficult business decisions
driven by adverse market conditions.
HAWORTH (United Chair Company), Bruce, MS
1990 - 2000
Office Furniture Assembly Plant, non-union
Quality Control Manager, Material Manager, Production Manager, HR Manager
. Managed multiple departments in a 200 employee facility producing 2000
units (office chairs) daily, utilizing manual and robotic welding,
powder coat paint, CNC plywood shaping, and plastic injection molding
. Served as Quality Control Manager initially with additional duties as
Safety and Environmental Manager
. Promoted to Material Control Manager with responsibilities for shipping
and receiving, production scheduling, purchasing and inventory control
. Simultaneously served as Human Resource Manager and Production Manager,
1994-1996
. Promoted to plant's first HR Manager in 1996 due to growth and headcount
beyond "dual role" capacity
NALCO CHEMICAL COMPANY, Monroe, MI
1988 - 1990
Automotive Division
Technical Sales Representative
. After initial assignment as a corporate recruiter based at our
Naperville, IL Corporate Office, transitioned into a Field Sales
Representative role
. As a Field sales Representative, sold water treatment chemicals and
serviced delivery systems, primarily in the automotive plants in lower MI
and upper OH region
MILITARY EXPERIENCE
U.S ARMY - Active and Reserve
1984 - 2010
Lieutenant Colonel-Retired
. Primary specialty in Human Resources Management with a secondary in
Maintenance Management
. Gulf War and OIF veteran
. Bronze Star recipient
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Bachelor of Business Administration, Management
Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA
Master of Public Administration, Human Resources
SPHR CERTIFICATION, Senior Professional in Human Resources, 2011
INSPECTOR GENERAL, U.S. Army, 2005