Octavia M. Garrett
**** *********** **., *******, ** 35756
256-***-**** (Home) 678-***-**** (Cell)
***********@*****.***
Education
American InterContinental University Graduated
MBA Business Administration/Operations Management
Auburn University Montgomery, Graduated
B.S., Business Administration/Human Resource Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Westminster Christian Academy, Huntsville, AL (Education)
Human Resource Manager (May 2013-Dec 2013)
• Managed new hire process; ensure new hires are in-processed, as well as enrolling new
hires in the various Benefit Plans available to employees and all paperwork is completed
and filed properly.
• Managed all employee benefit administration. (Health, Dental, COBRA, 403(b), FSA,
HSA, Voluntary, etc.) Including analyzing programs and vendors for competitiveness
and making recommendations for new vendors and new benefits. Coordinate open
enrollment and explain benefit options to employees and be available to answer
questions.
• Filed benefit claims for Life, STD/LTD and workers compensation. Assist employees
with Health and Dental claims resolution when necessary.
• Partnered with Operations Director on offer letters, contract and salary negotiations.
• Developed and maintain HR forms and files.
• Developed and assist Principals/Managers in implementation of yearly
evaluation/accountability process and Participate in staff /faculty meetings as required.
• Published handbook, monitor and update as required. Recommend employee policies
therein and assist in ensuring even application. Ensure that policies and procedures meet
federal guidelines and mitigate lawsuits.
• Sourced qualified Christian candidates for open positions and assist with interview and
selection process.
• Responsible for created and tracked internal and external job postings.
• Ensured that fingerprinting and Alabama database checking is consistent and complete.
• Worked closely with Administration to reduce turn over and retain top talent and the high
caliber of Christian of employee that WCA seeks to achieve excellence for their faculty,
staff and ultimately student body.
• Ensured compliance with State and Federal regulations concerning employment with a
private church base school. (I-9, EEO, FMLA etc.)
• Developed plan for setting up HR data base. Upon implementation of HRIS system,
ensure all employee information is accurately entered into system and maintained
effectively and efficiently so that reports are timely and accurate.
• Worked with Administration to develop and implement a fair and equitable compensation
plan. Maintain records of compensation changes and updates records. Maintains copies of
faculty contracts and staff offer letters.
• Offered advice regarding Employee Relation issues. Counsels employees and managers
regarding employee issues and maintain proper documentation. Conduct employee
terminations when necessary.
• Ensured that optimal use is made of professional development opportunities including
equitable access to all employees. Maintain credential, training and CEU files for
employees.
Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, Madison, AL (Retail)
Human Resources Manager (2006-2013)
• Managed the daily HR functions of a store location for a 180 employees.
• Addressed store talent needs during weekly management staff meetings through proactive
and effective recruiting, staffing, reports, succession planning, and training.
• Developed affirmative action plans to help diversify the company.
• Established and maintain contact with various employment services to strengthen a pool
of external candidates.
• Created and tracked internal and external job postings.
• Responsible for providing leadership for employee engagement, coaching managers of
people related issues, aligning HR processes and system with business and location
strategies, and providing HR solution for all people related processes (employee
relations, talent management, recruiting, staffing, onboarding, development, training,
safety and health/wellness).
• Facilitated the new employee orientation and the employee onboarding process
• Managed benefit programs, payroll, vacation, Worker’s Compensation, FMLA,
unemployment claims, disability, safety, security, and facilities management.
• Made sure our location is in compliance under the Lowe’s and OFCCP guidelines, federal
and state regulations
• Verified payroll for accuracy and document weekly schedules for proper staffing of
location.
• Investigated and observed employee relation issues.
• Planned, conducted and executed training/coaching to store management in key HR
areas, including employment law, sexual harassment, title VII, ADA, interviewing, Plan,
implement, and evaluate employee’s career development path.
• Coordinated and facilitate job fairs.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership if the field of human resources while maintaining a
high degree of performance.
• Solid working knowledge of HRIS, PeopleSoft, Micro-Soft and other systems in related
field.
The Fellowship of Faith, Huntsville, AL 1 hour Sunday/Wednesdays
Bookstore Ministry (4/2010-Present)
• Provide customer service to the congregation and visitors.
• Manage the store in the absences of church secretary.
• Answer customer’s questions about products and advise customers on merchandise
selections; respond to customer and supplier inquires about order status, changes.
• Arrange onsite guest speaker’s book sales.
• Perform opening and closing procedures.
The Home Depot At-Home Services, Marietta, GA (Corporate Office)
Production Support Coordinator/Recruiter/Trainer (2001-2006)
• Served as branch coordinator and partnering with peers on all key business functions.
• Built and maintained relationships with a cross segment of branch personnel.
• Responsible for providing leadership for the branch, order completions, data input, filing,
new hire orientations, training updates, feedback, development, and customer service.
• Trained newly hired employees in the production support department
• Attended career fairs to recruit and inform potential recruits about the organization as
great place to work.
Skills
• General Office Skills: Organization, management, communication, writing, editing, public
speaking, training, and customer service skill, experienced change agent in the improvement of a
process with Lowe’s in 2011-2012
• Computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, Office 2009, Power Point, Outlook, Windows XP,
Internet, Access, PeopleSoft, PeopleClick, Unicru, Type 50wpm, keystroke 6000, Career Portal
by Kenexa Recruiter BrassRing, Lexius Nexius, Kronos Payroll System.