ERIC S. PLEMMONS, MS, SPHR, SCP
**** ********* **** ~ Apex, NC 27539 ~ 919-***-**** ~ **********@*****.***
STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL
Performance-driven professional with over 20 years of combined experience as a human resources and operations management leader. Proven demonstrated ability working with senior level management teams integrating complete spectrum of human resource functions to support the overall business strategy and objectives of the organization. Diverse background working in publicly held, privately owned, domestic and global logistics, manufacturing, sales and distribution, and educational organizations. Adept at managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously with expertise in all human resource generalist areas.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Durham, NC September 2012 – Present
Third generation, family-owned, independent franchisee sales and distribution operation of Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper products and services in a five-county territory comprised of 180 employees.
Vice President Human Resources
Strategic human resource position reporting to the President and Chairman of the Board and responsible for ensuring company compliance with all federal and state employment related laws and regulations, as well as, providing employee relations counsel, guidance, and support to all management and staff. Directly manage and coordinate all human resources, payroll, risk management, and safety functions for the organization. Serve as a key member of new territory acquisition team. Manage two direct reports.
Significant Accomplishments:
Led downsizing effort by eliminating bottling production facility and reorganized to solely sales and distribution; successfully transitioned affected employees into other roles within the company.
Realigned and enhanced employee benefit offerings, realizing approximately $200,000 in annual company savings, while providing a better benefit package for employees.
Established a safety culture by implementing a formalized safety training platform for all levels of employees, significantly reducing our injury and vehicle accident frequencies, and resulting in initial company savings of over $100,000.
Key role in the successful divestiture of food service and full line vending company, transitioning over 200 employees to the acquiring company.
Converted payroll and timekeeping platforms, resulting in a $50,000 company savings.
Redesigned the performance management and appraisal process to better develop employees and improve overall effectiveness of the organization.
Restructured retiree health care program, capping annual company expenditures and reducing the long-term benefit liability by approximately $3 million.
Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Hickory, NC, Inc., Hickory, NC April 2008 – August 2012
Third generation, family-owned, independent franchisee sales and distribution operation of Pepsi-Cola/Dr. Pepper products and services in a 17-county territory in western North Carolina comprised of 4 facilities and 315 employees.
Human Resources Director
Corporate based human resource position reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, responsible for managing and directing all human resources and safety functions, requiring frequent travel to 4 sales and distribution centers. Managed one direct and four indirect reports.
Significant Accomplishments:
Improved the recruiting, selection, and onboarding processes, resulting in higher quality new hires, lower turnover and longer retention rates.
Led the closure of production bottling plant and transitioned most of the affected employees to other roles within the company.
Created safety/health programs for all 4 sales and distribution facilities, reducing experience modification rate from 1.28 to .65 and lowering workers’ compensation premiums more than $100,000 annually.
Redesigned health/dental, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance benefit programs, resulting in a company savings of over $100,000.
Implemented a formalized supervisory development training program for all current and newly promoted management staff.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Hudson, NC Jan. 2007 – April 2008
Full service community college with multiple campuses, offering both day and evening courses, providing a job training center, and serving as a satellite campus for Appalachian State University.
Director, Human Resources
Director level human resources position housed within the business office operations of the community college reporting to the Vice President of Finance and Administration. Responsible for providing human resources administration, support and assistance to over 300 full-time faculty/other personnel and close to 200 part-time instructors. Managed one direct and two indirect reports.
Significant Accomplishments:
Participated in a college-wide safety enhancement initiative leading to the development of Emergency Action Response protocols for all campuses.
Effectively managed the annual performance evaluation and contract process resulting in all renewals/non-renewals being administered and submitted by established deadlines.
Streamlined recruiting, interviewing and selection committee responsibilities reducing the time for hire on average by two weeks.
Sarstedt, Inc., Newton, NC Mar. 2000 – Jan. 2007
One of the world’s leading providers of laboratory and medical equipment that develops, manufactures and sells equipment and consumables in the field of medicine and science. The Newton, NC facility was the North American corporate headquarters for manufacturing, sales, and distribution in the U.S. market.
Human Resources Manager
Reporting directly to the VP/General Manager of U.S. operations and was accountable for all human resources functions supporting FDA regulated production, sales (both in-house and field based representatives), and logistics/distribution. Also, provided human resources support/services for a satellite warehousing and distribution operation located in Sparks, NV. Managed two direct and one indirect reports.
Significant Accomplishments:
Shared Apprenticeship 2000 program coordination duties which had an end goal of offering technical career opportunities to motivated high school students in skilled trade areas such as: injection molding, machining, mechatronics, tool and die making.
Substantial role in total restructure and reorganization of U.S. based salesforce resulting in greater market coverage with approximately 30% less personnel.
Created and implemented safety management processes, complemented with an employee- led safety committee, greatly reducing occupational hazards and lowering accident/incident rates.
EARLIER WORK EXPERIENCE
Phillips Technical Staffing, Hickory, NC, Branch Manager/Technical Recruiter
United Parcel Service, Hickory and Lenoir, NC, Operations Supervisor; Driver; Preloader – experienced in managing and directing unionized workforce in the areas of package sorting, loading, and delivery operations.
EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATIONS
Master of Science – Human Resources Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
Bachelor of Science – Business Administration Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, NC
Certificate in Human Resources Management Western Piedmont CC, Morganton, NC
Associate in Applied Science – Accounting Western Piedmont CC, Morganton, NC
Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
SHRM – Senior Certified Professional (SCP)
Management by Commitment Certification
OSHNC 30-Hour OSHA Course for General Industry
SOFTWARE
MS Office Applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Access; Outlook
Human Resources Software: ADP Workforce Now and Time/Labor Manager; Paycom Payroll; Global Employee Management System (GEMS); AS-400
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Member: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Member: Raleigh Wake Human Resources Management Association (RWHRMA)
Member: Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association (CCBA) Loss/Risk Control Group
Member: Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association (CCBA) Financial Management Group