Rebecca Columbus, SHRM-SCP

Human Resources Director, Business Partner, Senior level Manager

Louisville, KY

acvpvq@r.postjobfree.com - 502-***-****

A proven Human Resources leader with significant experience developing and implementing programs, policies and training initiatives, as well as building HR infrastructure from top to bottom. Background includes high volume recruiting non-exempt, management and skilled workforces and developing successful retention programs. Special expertise in improving workers’ compensation and safety programs and supporting start-up or strategic turnaround efforts. Reputation for building highly effective operations teams that promote positive employee life-cycle experiences. Academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Mississippi State University.

Authorized to work in the US for any employer

WORK EXPERIENCE

Human Resources/Labor Relations Manager

LEGACY Supply Chain Services - Jeffersonville, IN - 2013 to Present Responsibilities

Human Resources/Labor Relations Manager

Provide Human Resource expertise to 220 employee union (IUE-CWA) and temporary workforce of a growing third party logistics provider to General Electric Appliance Parts. Services include employee relations, benefits, FMLA administration, compensation, recruiting, and performance management. Respond to employee and management concerns, disciplinary actions and manage the grievance resolution and arbitration process. Developed action plans to address entropy identified in annual Cultural Values Assessment. Launched new online safety training program with 95% completion in first year and improved utilization of employee HRIS self-service tools. Supervise 2 direct reports.

• Completed union contract negotiations that contained employer wage and benefit costs to 1.5% over 3-year contract and avoided “Cadillac Tax”.

• Won one arbitration case and settled 2 others for minimal cost prior to arbitration. Human Resources Director

BAY HAVEN CHARTER ACADEMY INC - Panama City, FL - 2010 to 2011 Panama City, FL 2010-2011

[Bay Haven Charter Academy Inc. is a non-profit organization operating two tuition free public charter school campuses serving 1600 students in Bay County, FL]

Human Resources Director

Managed human resource function for the 200-employee, 2 campus organization including employment, reappointment, performance appraisal, contracts, counseling, compensation, and welfare and retirement benefit plans. Tracked the teacher certification and recertification process. Directed and monitored the application and employment process of certificated and non-certificated employees. Developed employment reports and coordinated record keeping requirements of the Bay County School District and Dept. of Education programs. Served as committee member for revision of appraisal and performance-based compensation systems in accordance with DOE “Race To The Top” goals. Director of Human Resources

RIVER REGION HEALTH SYSTEM - Vicksburg, MS - 2009 to 2010 Vicksburg, MS 2009 - 2010

[River Region Health System includes a 220-bed, acute-care medical center, behavioral health facility, and 3 physician practice clinics with net revenues of $165 million and 1,200 employees.] Director of Human Resources

Directed entire human resources function for 1,200-employee health system and served as member of Senior Management Team. Supervised team of 4 Direct Reports, including Generalists and Recruiter. Responsible for facility’s Affirmative Action Plan reporting and compliance. Led high-volume recruiting for clinical and non- clinical positions. Oversaw compensation plan for hospital, employee relations, performance management and coaching, customer service training, and management development training. Investigated all employee relations issues and recommend corrective measures for prompt resolution. Educated Department Directors on corrective-action and performance-improvement plans for employees.

• Reduced worker’s compensation claims by 73% over prior year through analysis of root causes, analysis of trends to identify training opportunities, improving light duty return-to-work program, and revising policies to prevent injuries.

• Identified pay discrepancies in one area that resulted in approximately 16% reduction in labor expense.

• Developed customer service training program for front-line staff to improve patient satisfaction. Relaunched customer service training hospital-wide, achieving 20% increase in patient satisfaction ratings.

• Created job-specific competencies with Department Managers for clinical and non-clinical employees incorporating specific quality and customer service expectations to support strategic goals of improved quality indicators and patient service.

Human Resources Manager - KY and Southern OH

EXEL LOGISTICS, INC - Louisville, KY - 2007 to 2009 Louisville, KY 2007 - 2009

[Exel is the leading global provider of 3rd party logistics and supply chain management and is a division of Deutsche Post WorldNet.]

Human Resources Manager - KY and Southern OH

Provided human resources support for territory encompassing 7 locations across Kentucky and Southern Ohio, with 400+ associates. Conducted compensation analysis to attract and retain productive workforce. Oversaw key performance indicators (KPI), including training, retention, turnover, and associate relations. Led training in areas of leadership, investigations, union avoidance, labor relations, and diversity. Coached management teams on resolving employee issues in effective manner. Organized recruiting initiatives for seasonal volume and carried out reductions-in-force in response to fluctuating economic conditions.

• Implemented employee engagement and communication programs at one location that resulted in increased morale and productivity and 34% increase in overall employee satisfaction.

• Increased employee satisfaction in region by average of 11% over prior year through training of management teams on positive employee relations, promptly resolving employee concerns, reducing OT, and improving safety.

• Cut controllable turnover by 8% by training managers on effective interviewing techniques, promoting individuals from within organization, and improving employee relations and communication.

• Met or exceeded all HR metrics and deliverables in retention, training, turnover, and associate relations, resulting in region maintaining compliance with corporate KPIs. Senior Human Resources Manager

CAFEPRESS.COM - Louisville, KY - 2005 to 2006

Led opening of Louisville production facility, including staffing of 150 non-exempt positions and over 100 seasonal temporaries. Established local facility policy and procedures, compensation standards, and employee-relations programs. Ensured legal compliance for facility operations. Trained management on employee disciplinary matters and enforced company policies.

• Developed staffing forecast tool based on expected order volume/mix, productivity levels of team members, and training times.

• Surpassed 1st-year goal for diversity recruitment of 20% minority team members, and 80% minority retention.

• Transitioned eligible production employees from closing California facility to new Kentucky facility with structured relocation and assimilation program.

Corporate HR &Benefits Manager

AXIOM AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES - Louisville, KY - 2001 to 2005 Participated in acquisition and merger of sister company into one corporate structure, including company policies, procedures, benefits, and payroll. Counseled Branch Managers throughout company's 50+ locations on employee issues. Presided over FMLA leave program and exempt salary continuation programs. Prepared monthly cost analysis to ensure that benefit and payroll costs remained on target with targeted goals.

• Revamped benefit plan that cut administrative costs by $500,000 as part of company turnaround plan.

• Contained company's welfare plan costs increases to 8.5% over 4-year period by implementing plan design changes to share costs between employees and company.

• Facilitated shut down of Louisville facility and transfer of corporate functions to Pittsburgh.

• Cut administrative costs by 40% through successful contract negotiations with benefits outsourcing vendor. Regional Human Resources Manager

AXIOM AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGIES - 1999 to 2001

Headed human resources function for Southern Region's 12 locations and supervised team of 2 Facility HR Manager and 2 Benefits Assistants. Served as contact person for employment dispute and litigation matters.

• Established human resources policies, programs, and procedures pertaining to wage and salary structure and performance appraisals to achieve consistency across 3 regions.

• Designed recruiting strategies to meet exempt and non-exempt staffing needs for qualified candidates.

• Assisted with closing 3 plant / branch locations, including WARN notification, outplacement, and severance programs.

EDUCATION

B.B.A. in Management

Mississippi State University - Starkville, MS

CERTIFICATIONS

SHRM-SCPP

May 2016

SHRM-Senior Certified Professional

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Core Competencies include:

Employee / Labor Relations Staff Recruitment & Retention Employee Benefits & Compensation

Multi-Site Operations Start-Up / Turnaround Mergers & Acquisitions

Project & Program Management Workforce Planning & Development Strategic Planning

Presentations / Public Speaking Staff Training & Development OSHA / Regulatory Compliance

Policy Development & Implementation Logistics & Distribution Change Management

Customer Service Performance Management Employment Law Compliance COMPUTER SKILLS

Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, ADP Payroll, Kronos, Oracle, PeopleSoft, UltiPro HRIS

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