LAURA M. THOMPSON, PHR

908-***-**** adc1o5@r.postjobfree.com

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Experience: Certified HR professional with progressively responsible roles in tactical and strategic human resources and a proven record of implementing and administering world class HR programs. Expert in conflict resolution, immigration, FMLA/disability, payroll, benefits, talent acquisition, OFFCP/EEO compliance, confidential investigations and disciplinary actions.

Strategic HR Management: Forward-thinking business partner adept at analyzing People and Business needs by partnering with C-Suite to design cost effective business plans, resulting in implementation of best-fit solutions that foster positive corporate cultures, achieve organization’s business goals, and attract/retain top talent.

Communication & Collaboration: Effectively communicates and collaborates across all levels of the organization including front line managers and executives, creating a collaborative working environment resulting in positive employee relations while meeting budget goals

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Employee Relations – disciplinary actions, litigation

Change Management

Startup HR Departments

Labor Negotiations

FMLA Administration & Compliance

Talent Acquisitions & Management

Mergers & Acquisitions

Immigration Compliance

Benefits & Payroll Administration

Succession Planning

401k Administration & Compliance

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

HUDSON, A DUFRY COMPANY EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ 7/2019 – 4/2020

A leader in travel retailers across North America with over 10,000 employees representing 50 nationalities, operating over 1,000 stores.

HR Compliance Manager

Subject matter (SME) for HR policies, providing advice to CHRO, CFO, Regional HR Managers, General Managers, Regional VPs, impacting business operations and securing new business contracts

Design and develop clear, effective HR policies, procedures, programs and standards while ensuring employment and labor law compliance

Enterprise wide identification of areas of compliance vulnerability and risk, develop and implement corrective action plans

Partner with VP Development reviewing new business contracts, reviewing applicable state/federal laws (EEO, Fair Work Week, etc.) impacting new business and ensure proper state licenses are in place

Mergers & Acquisitions – comprehensive review of applicable state/federal laws advising of findings, provide guidance to Regional HR Managers to ensure seamless onboarding of new staff, etc.

Review all existing union contracts and ensure all clauses are implemented and administered correctly

Partner with Labor Relations Director in preparation for negotiations for existing and new collective bargaining agreements, communicate all changes to respective internal stakeholders for implementation (HRIS, Benefits, Payroll, etc.)

Conduct internal audits and investigations

Design and deliver enterprise wide training programs – ADA compliance, I-9s, internal investigations, etc.

Interpret, disseminate information, and train supervisory staff on regulatory matters for the organization while evaluating risk

Partner closely with Senior Counsel on potential legal matters, respond to regulatory and private complaints

Immigration administration – global executive relocations, secure necessary work visas, partner with parent company Dufry to ensure smooth transition of talent overseas

Additional projects assigned as needed

KSI TRADING CORP SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ 11/2018 – 5/2019

Privately held aftermarket auto parts wholesale distributor servicing 23 locations across 14 states in the Northeast.

Human Resources Manager

Partnering with the CFO, CEO, VP Sales, VP Operations and other leadership team members, serve as head of Human Resources providing HR services for entire organization (approximately 700 employees) in the areas of employee relations, talent management, recruiting, organizational development, investigations and other duties as assigned.

Supervise and mentor team of 4 HR reps

Vendor management: PEO Trinet, external attorneys Reed Smith, multiple staffing agencies across entire organization

Partner with VP Sales, VP Operations, Regional Sales Managers, and Regional Operations Managers to review growth plans, create staffing strategies, and execute accordingly.

Partner with managers and other department leaders to ensure operations are within established headcount and monetary budget limits.

Oversee administration of FMLA/LOA/WC, unemployment, payroll, employee onboarding/offboarding

Serve as go-to for complex employee investigations, conflict resolutions, performance improvement plans, severance agreements, contract interpretations and more

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ 7/2016 – 10/2018

Advance Auto Parts, a Fortune 500 company, is the largest automotive aftermarket parts provider in North America, serving both the professional installer and do-it-yourself customers. Advance operates over 5,200 stores, over 100 Worldpac branches and serves approximately 1,300 independently owned Carquest branded stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. Advance employs approximately 74,000 Team Members.

Regional HR Manager – East Coast

Reporting to the VP Employee Relations based in NC, serve as Regional HR Business Partner for Commercial/Professional division – WorldPac - throughout the East Coast (from Boston to Miami plus Puerto Rico totaling 45 branches, 2 Distribution Centers or approximately 900 employees – largest region)

Provide world class HR service to assigned region in the areas of conflict resolution, recruiting, benefits, payroll, unemployment hearings, workers comp, FMLA/disability, immigration compliance, investigations, and special projects as assigned.

Supervise and mentor HR Generalist, resolve escalated NJ DC HR issues and investigations.

Supervise 2 staffing agencies at the NJ Distribution Center and address issues with DC Director

Review, edit, and approve all employee write ups, make sure no steps are missed in the progressive discipline process, discuss as necessary with Senior leadership prior to terminating employees/managers.

Attend monthly Chief HR Office meetings and translate business needs into HR action items, implement as necessary throughout the region.

Attend weekly Operations Management calls with Regional Managers, provide feedback on hot issues to Corporate headquarters, discuss and identify solutions, implement as necessary.

Daily partnership/contact with VP Operations, East and Legal on escalated matters, EEOC charges, investigations, terminations, litigation, etc.

Monitor Ethics Points and address all new cases which includes conducting investigations both on site and remote, document interviews, and provide resolutions.

Travel to branches within assigned region to conduct investigations (as needed), meet with teammates/managers, and establish/enforce open door policy and positive employee relations.

CONSULTING ASSIGNMENTS 2015-2016

CONVATEC BRIDGEWATER, NJ 4/2016 – 7/2016

A global medical products company providing solutions to address chronic ailments, wound care, ostomy, continence and critical care. Convatec employees 8,500 globally. Assigned via Henderson Harbor Group.

Reporting to the HR Operations and Talent Acquisition Directors, provided HR consultative services in the areas of talent acquisition/retention and HRIS.

Partnered with hiring managers, including senior leaders/stakeholders, to assess their talent needs, develop recruitment strategy, source, identify appropriate talent and provide hiring recommendations.

HRIS needs assessment and assisted with implementation of Workday modules, data integrity and mapping via audits.

Assisted with the accurate and timely mapping of integrations between ADP payroll and Workday.

Managed training projects from conception to completion while providing timely updates to HR Business Partners, Department Leaders as necessary.

PHARMSCRIPT SOMERSET, NJ 10/2015 – 4/2016

Long term care pharmacy servicing multiple healthcare facilities across 10 states in the Northeast, Texas, and Florida.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, provided HR Business Partnership services to corporate leaders (CEO, COO, VP of Analytics) and pharmacists in charge across entire organization. Included advice on topics such as recruiting strategy, retention efforts, employee grievances, EEOC charges, litigation, disciplinary actions and terminations.

Benefits administration – enrollments, terminations, status changes, Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance, 401k plan administration, Open Enrollment, COBRA.

Talent Management – full cycle recruiting, new hire onboarding, orientation, security access, resignations and off-boarding.

Compliance – immigration, DOL audits, background checks, NJ State Board of Pharmacy, 401k audits, 5500 filings, DEA site visits/investigations/audits.

SHIPCO TRANSPORT HOBOKEN, NJ 2/2014 – 6/2015

Position: General Manager, HR Administration North America

ELEMENTIS EAST WINDSOR, NJ 2010 – 2012

Position: Corporate HR Generalist

SEAN JOHN CRANBURY, NJ 2006 - 2010

Position: HR Generalist

DOW JONES & CO. PRINCETON, NJ 1999 – 2005

Positions: Human Resources & Customer Service

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Professional in Human Resources (PHR) - Certified since 2009

EDUCATION

Master’s in Labor & Employment Relations Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ

GPA 3.67

Bachelor’s in Business Administration Rider University Lawrenceville, NJ

Graduated Magna Cum Laude GPA 3.69

SKILLS & LANGUAGES

Proficient in Microsoft Suite of products along with payroll, timekeeping & HRIS including:

ADP – Workforce Now, HRB, Payexpert, EzLabor, GLI

Workday

Taleo, iCims

Kronos

Fluent in Spanish, conversational French

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