Human Resources Customer Service
Resume:
STEVEN D. BLANKENSHIP
Knoxville, TN 37912
***********@*****.***
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
Senior-level HR manager with broad experience in all aspects of human
resources.
Extensive experience in working for international organizations.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including Japanese
language skills.
Effective communicator with all levels of employees.
Familiar with Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System, Kaizen, 5-
S
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
EXEDY AMERICA CORPORATION Mascot, TN
Automotive Supplier 2013 to
present
Human Resources Director
. Overall responsibility of all aspects of human resources.
. Directly involved in disciplinary actions to ensure correct
interpretation of company policies, and consistency of their
application.
. Conducted union avoidance training for management team members.
. Headed investigations into employee complaints.
. Worked with benefits broker to obtain a 2% reduction of healthcare
benefit costs.
JEFFERSON SOUTHERN CORPORATION Rockmart, GA
Tier One Automotive Supplier 2001 to 2013
Senior Manager - Administration
Senior Manager - Human Resources
. Oversight and review of the activities of the accounting, human
resources/general affairs, purchasing and sales departments.
. Created and implemented company-wide policies and procedures.
. Implemented policies relating to business ethics and corporate
governance.
. As Ethics Compliance Officer, spearheaded investigations of complaints
of violations of policies and procedures.
. Directly responsible for all recruitment, hiring and disciplinary
proceedings.
. Established wage and salary structures which were reviewed annually to
ensure competitiveness.
. Worked with senior production management to develop annual manpower
plans.
. Developed and oversaw performance management systems.
. Responsible for all associate relations and union avoidance
activities, including management training.
. Developed annual cost targets and was responsible for corporate
property and liability insurance, workers compensation insurance and
all corporate benefit plans.
. Negotiated contracts with external vendors and was responsible for
overseeing the performance of security, housekeeping, uniform, vehicle
maintenance and vending services.
. Developed annual departmental budgets and annual corporate donations
strategy.
. Established annual training strategies and worked with internal
departments and external providers to ensure the delivery of training
programs.
ISMAC, INC. Calhoun, GA
Tier One Construction Equipment Supplier
1996 to 2001
Business Manager
. Responsible for all aspects of human resources, general affairs and
customer relations.
. Created company handbook and policies and procedures manual.
. Established hourly and salaried wage scales.
. Undertook staffing of all hourly and salaried associates.
. Negotiated annual contracts for corporate property and liability
insurance.
. Established a 401(k) plan, and handled all matters pertaining to
associate benefits.
. Recorded and reported all accidents and injuries, handled workers
compensation claims and filed OSHA reports.
. Responsible for all communications with associates and spearheaded
union avoidance activities.
. Following training at Toyota assisted in the implementation of a
kanban production system.
. Worked with production and quality departments to ensure that customer
requirements were met.
ITOCHU INTERNATIONAL New York, NY
International Trading Company 1988 to
1995
Assistant Personnel Director
. Directly responsible for all recruitment and hiring activities for the
company's New York headquarters, and undertook recruitment activities
for several subsidiary companies.
. Established the company's first on-campus recruiting activities and
recruited college graduates for the U.S. operation and for the
Japanese parent company.
. Worked with an outside consultant to develop a performance
management/bonus system, then conducted training on the system at all
U.S. and Canadian branch locations.
. Implemented a new company orientation program and training programs on
harassment, business ethics, management skills, and working with
Japanese/Americans, which were subsequently delivered to all U.S.
branch locations.
. Undertook all immigration matters for U.S. offices including
acquisition of visas, and renewals/extensions of travel documents.
. Responsible for employee relations activities at the New York and U.S.
branch offices.
. Assisted Japanese staff members in enrolling in academic programs at
U.S. universities.
DIAMOND-STAR MOTORS Normal, IL
Mitsubishi/Chrysler Automotive OEM 1986 to
1988
TRAINING SPECIALIST, GENERAL AFFAIRS STAFF
. Negotiated and directly oversaw all aspects of a $6 million housing
contract for Japanese guest technicians.
. Designed layout of plant production and administrative offices,
negotiated purchasing contracts and oversaw the installation of
furniture and equipment.
. Worked with Illinois State University on the development of
orientation programs for all new hires, and delivered the Japanese
language component of these programs.
. Conducted new hire orientation programs for over 1000 newly-hired
associates.
. Negotiated contracts with uniform and vending services, and oversaw
the installation of the company cafeteria.
. Represented the company at meetings with the mayor, city council and
chamber of commerce.
. Worked with immigration attorneys to ensure the timely issuance of
passports, visas and other travel documents.
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR Takaoka and Nagoya, Japan
Translator, Editor, Writer
NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
Lecturer- English Department
SUGIYAMA WOMEN'S COLLEGE
Assistant Professor - English Department
EDUCATION
YALE UNIVERSITY New Haven, CT
Master of Arts, East Asian Studies
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN Madison, WI
Bachelor of Arts, East Asian Studies
SKILLS
. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
. Good knowledge of Japanese, with some reading and writing skills
. Good computer skills with Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint
and ADP payroll for Windows
Contact this candidate