DENICE M GASTON

916-***-**** adqvx9@r.postjobfree.com

HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONAL

High integrity well versed professional with ability to deliver strategic human capital solutions that increase employee engagement, advance business objectives, and increase HR functional excellence. Delivers innovation and alignment by improving processes, increasing efficiency and enhance productivity through strong partnership with business leaders. Successfully manage change within union and non-union environments for product development, finance, manufacturing, distribution, and refining organizations.

Competencies

Strategic Planning Labor Relations/Employee Relations Organizational Effectiveness

Process & Systems Improvements Grievance/Arbitration/Negotiations Talent Management Change Management Staffing & Recruiting Compensation Management Performance Consulting

Diversity & Inclusion General Project Management

EXPERIENCE

SABBATICAL

Taking a leave to care for self and family during global pandemic. 2021 – 2022

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTANT

Ivory Expertise, Inc 2020 – 2021

Through networking and prospecting obtained various HR and Leadership projects.

FIVE BELOW

Human Resources Manager, Houston, TX 2019 - 2020

Led the HR function through the successful launch of its newest Warehouse & Distribution center.

Maintained Union-Free site during tenure as the HR Manager, Conroe Site.

INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT 2016 – 2019

Organizational Effectiveness, Development, and Communication – work with leader to develop appropriate change

management path in support of business objectives and communication strategy for stakeholders.

Leadership Assessment – Using assessment tools to identify and overcome self-defeating behaviors in leaders, and master techniques

Labor Relations/Employee Relations – develop strategies for key labor issues using organizational health diagnostic tool, strategies for union avoidance campaigns.

Talent Development – using personality type assessment tool work with early to mid-career hi-pots to identify and minimize barriers to success through coaching.

Team Building/High Performance – using team assessment tools, developed engagement series to promote team effectiveness. Results of pre-and post-survey indicate a significant improvement in team cohesion and communication support High Performance Teams (HPT).

Process & System Evaluations – Examine effectiveness of clients’ HRIS platforms/systems and processes (PeopleSoft, SAP, Oracle, Workday, Banner and Colleague) and provide performance improvement recommendations.

PETROLEO BRASILEIRO SA (known as Petrobras) 2013 – 2016

Human Resources Director, PRSI (a wholly owned subsidiary), Houston, TX

Developed and launched, system integration between performance and learning objectives in support of succession planning for key roles and employees resulting in a 35% reduction in turnover and 15% increase in organizational commitment.

Achieved no strikes and no walkouts by working closely with union representation and settled 2015 USW negotiations within budgetary guidelines; reduced grievance/arbitration costs by $200,000.00 annually.

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Managed annual payroll of approximately $50MM comprising 500 employees (hourly, salaried and contractors) with team of 4 HR professionals, 5 Operations Trainers, Communications Specialist, and Training Specialist.

Designed, developed, and introduced HR Dashboard (HR analytics) as management tool for Leadership Team to track key people indicators of union management relationships, recruiting and process timing and budget implications of training and hiring.

GENERAL ELECTRIC 2011 - 2012 Senior HR Manager, Aero Global Supply Chain Organization, Houston, TX

Restructured HR organization to better serve clients resulting in increased satisfaction, visibility on the manufacturing floor and increased communication that ultimately led to successfully maintaining a union free work environment.

Led the HR team to improve organization effectiveness through organizational design, leader and team effectiveness assessment, coaching, process facilitation, problem diagnosis and action planning, and change leadership.

Drove acquisition and development of best talent in support of business growth plans and build strong succession plans.

CONOCO PHILLIPS 2009 - 2011

Senior HR Business Partner, Global Procurement Services, Houston, TX

Provided full suite of Human Resources leadership to the Global Procurement Services Leadership Team which encompasses, North America (US/Canada), Norway/UK/Middle East as well as the Asia Pacific region. The GPS population totals approximately 800 employees.

Developed long-term succession plan for 30 key senior leaders, which included talent development, workforce planning and recruiting strategy over 3-year period.

Served as advisor, mentor and coach to the VP, GPS to facilitate achievement of best-in-class leadership team dynamics that would drive business and organizational results.

ROYAL DUTCH SHELL, plc 2004 - 2009 Senior HR Consultant, Talent Management, Oil Products, Houston, TX

Developed organization-wide analytics for approximately 200 high potential diversity employees resulting in approximately 75% increase in developmental moves of diverse candidates and a 30% improvement in cultural environment score on annual employee survey for Downstream organization.

Implemented organizational change for standardized hourly hiring process resulting in improved recruiting efficiency, timing, and an estimated $150,000 savings per hourly recruiting event.

Managed organizational change process and implementation for drug testing method across Downstream refining business resulting in increased accuracy of results for hiring and random drug testing protocol.

Industrial Relations Manager, Martinez Refinery, Martinez, CA

Led Change Management Initiative for hourly competencies which included vendor selection, assessment, developing training curriculum and certification of skill attainment as well as recertification.

Provided interpretive council to General Manager, Technology Manager, Production Manager, Engineering Manager, USW Chairperson, IBEW Staff Representative and respective committees regarding labor issues in accordance with SOPUS IR policies, procedures, and contractual interpretation of the agreements for a 1,000-acre manufacturing site with 800 United Steel Workers (USW), 75 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) employees and over 200 exempt employees.

Implemented HR engagement with hourly workforce through increased presence in manufacturing as well as active engagement in site Health & Safety program with team of 6 (six) HR professionals and one intern.

Global Human Resources Consultant, Corporate Office, Houston, TX 2004-2006

Diagnosed, designed and delivered Corporate Functions Supervisor 101 training with HR peers to front-line supervisors: Positive Discipline, How to Conduct Employee Investigations based on the 7 Steps of Just Cause, Implementing Goals, Performance, and Appraisal Systems, Designing Individual Development Plans, Implementing Mentoring programs, Coaching for Performance Improvement, Coaching for Performance Enhancement, Succession Planning and Talent Management and Effective Interviewing Skill Techniques.

Conducted strategic full cycle recruiting for Finance leadership roles with support of Recruiting Excellence Center.

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ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ford Motor Company, Northwest Regional HR Manager, Customer Service Division, Manteca, CA Ford Motor Company, HR Director (International Service-Marketing, Sales and Service)

Joint Venture - Japanese Management Automotive Consultants and Ford Motor Company, Amsterdam, Holland

EDUCATION AND AWARDS

MILR, Industrial and Labor Relations School

BS, Agriculture and Natural Resources Communication

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Certified

DDI Targeted Selection®: Trainer Certification Workshop Six Sigma Green Belt for HR – Ford Motor Company Society of Human Resources Management, Member National Association of Female Executives, Member

References Available Upon Request

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