Human Resources Manager

Iris J. Alvarez

* ****** ****** ****: 609-***-****

Hainesport, NJ 08036 ****.***@*****.*** Cell: 609-***-****

Profile

Human Resources Professional with experience in recruitment and retention, conflict resolution, change management, labor relations,

benefits administration, workers’ compensation and compliance. Proven experience collaborating with senior management to conduct

strategic planning in support and enhancement of company goals. Broad knowledge of a variety of sectors including union and non-

union environments with a large number of exempt/non-exempt employees. Demonstrated experience initiating cost containment

strategies resulting in significant savings. Excellent ability to address and implement strategic plans for talent acquisition, retention and

succession planning. Proven skills in labor and employment law including complaint investigation.

Areas of Expertise

• •

Human Resources Generalist Affairs Compensation/Benefits Management

• •

Management Training and Development Wage and Salary Analysis

• •

Organizational Development/Change Project Planning and Management

• •

Collective Bargaining Contracts Employee Grievance Proceedings

• •

Employee Relations and Retention Operations Management

• •

Policy Design and Administration EEO/AAP Plans/Regulatory Compliance

• •

EEOC Investigations and Resolutions Worker’s Compensation Analysis

• •

Preparation of Form 5500 Personnel Handbook

• •

FMLA/NJFLA Administration Property and Casualty Insurance

• Bilingual

Professional Experience

Arc Mercer, Ewing, NJ 10/2013 to Present

Director of Human Resources, a not-for-profit organization committing to empowering all people with developmental and intellectual

disabilities to chose and realize their goals. Report directly to the Executive Director and part of the Executive Team. Transformed HR

from administrative role to strategic partner, including working with management to drive key business and implement performance

initiatives. Conducted extensive analysis of existing HR organization and developed business plan to update all policies, procedures,

services, programs and operations. Direct human resource functions, including recruiting, compliance, hiring practices, benefits and

compensation.

• Conducted strategic negoation to obtain a decrease of 10% on health insurance renewal.

• Ensure compliance with DOL, OSHA, ADA, FMLA/NJLA, FLSA, DDD, and CARF.

• Attained 100% win rate in unemployment claims.

• Build a respectable working relationship with union, decreasing grievances by 40% within the first year.

• Chair person of the Team Atmoshere Committee.

• Deveopled and revised policies and procedures increasing compliance and improving morale.

Occupational Training Center of Burlington County, Burlington Township, NJ 8/2005 to 10/2013

Human Resources Director, leading the corporate HR multi-functional activities with a direct staff of 5 HR professionals. Social

Services non-for-profit organization with over 750 union and non-union employees. Member of the Executive Management Team with

complete strategic planning, leadership, and operating management responsibility for all HR activities. Accountable for ensuring

compliance with federal and state fair hiring practices and EEO regulations. Investigate all sexual harassment, discrimination, and

wrongful termination complaints for the organization, including EEOC and NJ DCR complaints. Serve on the Safety Committee.

• Restructured the HR department, consolidating the work flow between 3 positions saving $50,000.

• Reduced cost by conducting orientations, training and background checks for the entire organization reducing cost by approximately

30% over 3 years.

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• Developed, revised, and added new policies to 5 Site Specific Employee Handbooks increasing compliance and improving morale.

• Conducted strategic negotiation to obtain cost savings on premium renewals and improved benefits plans, including Property and

Casualty Insurance and Worker’s Compensation.

• Strengthened relationships with functional departments, making HR a strategic partner in process development, staffing and

employee relations.

• Rebuilt benefits programs by consolidating providers and renegotiating contracts. Successfully maintained

benefit costs with 1% increase in premium over 2 years and achieved savings of $60,000 in first year.

• Ensure compliance with DOL, OSHA, ADA, HIPAA, FMLA/NJFLA, EEOC, and COBRA labor laws.

Ecce Panis, Inc., New Brunswick, NJ 2/2004 to 5/2005

Human Resource Generalist, manufacturing plant with over 200 employees. Responsibilities included assignment auditing

various compliance processes such as I-9, affirmative actions, applicant tracking, and hiring processes. Effectively resolve

conflict, coach and counsel supervision on methods to improve absenteeism, turnover and plant efficiencies. Administer

paid and unpaid leave of absence to include FMLA and state provisions where applicable. Develop benefit information,

statistical and census data for actuaries, insurance carriers and management as bases for decision-making.

• Supervised Human Resources Assistant, providing direction and assignment of duties as needed.

• Ensured compliance of company policies and procedures reducing company liability and risks.

• Analyzed training needs and made recommendations for training programs that increased productivity by 25%.

Accu-Weld, LLC, Bensalem, PA 9/2002 to 1/2004

Human Resources Generalist, vinyl replacement windows manufacturing company with over $1.8 Billion in annual revenues.

Managed human resources activities to support over 350 union and non-union employees. Directed recruiting efforts

from senior to middle management positions in a multi-site manufacturing industry. Established strong relationships with

client divisions, maintaining a critical needs list with the highest priority openings. Developed and established

performance management, progressive discipline policy and recruitment policy guidelines for hourly and salaried

employees. Initiated and developed Human Resources Department by consolidating related functions.

• Revised outdated policies to ensure compliance and adding new policies to improve morale.

• Conducted wage surveys within labor markets to determine competitive wage rates.

• Prepared reports and made recommendations to reduce absenteeism, turnover and overtime.

• Administered benefits programs such as life, health, dental and disability insurance, retirement plan.

• Developed in-house disciplinary actions training programs, resulting in approximately $50,000 training cost savings.

• Assisted in preparing a $1.5 million budget for the Human Resources Operation.

• Attained 100% win rate in unemployment claims.

• Reduced position vacancies turnaround time from average of 120 days to 40 days.

• Introduced new employee orientation and individualized training, resulting in 97% satisfaction record.

• Reduced absenteeism by 65% through the implementation of a "No fault" absentee policy.

Carvel Corporation, Moorestown, NJ 2/1999 to 04/2002

Human Resources/Office Manager, ice cream manufacturing company with over 100 non-union employees. Directed recruiting efforts.

Consolidated two positions into one, streamlined the work process.

• Shortened hiring cycle to meet the demands of accelerated growth.

• Spearheaded a new employee orientation and training program.

• Reduced payroll and invoicing discrepancies to zero.

• Provided labor and production efficiency percentages to the Plant Manager.

• Handled internal/external recruitment function, reducing recruitment expense by approximately $50,000.

Education/ Training/ Affiliations

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, California State University, Stanislaus

Iris J. Alvarez

6 Dorset Circle Home: 609-***-****

Hainesport, NJ 08036 ****.***@*****.*** Cell: 609-***-****

Conducting Serious Incident Investigations, EEOC-Conducting an Internal Investigation, FMLA-Master Class, OSHA 30 hour

Certificate, E-Verify

Member, Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM)

Technical

ADP, Millennium, Microsoft Office Suite, Kronos Time Keeper, Genesis, Time Traks, OSHA Manager, Training Manager, HR

Advantage, Report Smith, Primepoint

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