Lauren G. Smith

**** * ******** ** ******* MI ***02

269-***-**** adyqhe@r.postjobfree.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-smith-69045322/

HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL

Vendor Relations * Public Speaking * Effective Communicator

Dynamic, analytical, strategic-thinking professional with 20+ years as an HR generalist and specialist. Experience in union and non-union environments; private, federal, non-profit and for-profit sectors.

Logical/Analytical * Educator/Influencer * Time Manager/Responsive

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Green Bay Packaging, Inc Kalamazoo Division

●2022- Collaborated with WMU Communications department for assistance in developing a social media presence by serving as a ‘client’ for the COMM3480 class students.

●2019 – reduced recordable on the job injuries from five-year average of 12 per year to zero, receiving recognition from WC insurance carrier and the GBP Corporate office.

●2018 – current, awarded Bronze-level Veteran Friendly Employer by the Michigan Veteran’s Affairs Agency.

Lowe’s Home Improvement Center

●Portage #1110 – Increased employee engagement on the 2014 Gallup Employee Opinion Survey from 59 points to 72 points.

●Portage #1110 – 2014 helped store exceed sales goals by 14% by focusing on a credible staffing and training plan, resulting in more internal promotions and general employee retention.

●Portage #1110 – Reduced number of Worker’s Compensation claims by 50% from 2013 – 2014 through regular safety walks, recognizing individual departments for safety awareness initiatives, and encouraging store wide participation in corporate safety programs.

●Kalamazoo #0765 – increased employee engagement on the 2012 Gallup Employee Opinion Survey from 47 to 68 points by utilizing system of planned encounters to address employee concerns.

●Kalamazoo #0765 – reduced number of Worker’s Compensation claims by 67% from 2009 – 2010 by attending safety meetings, and adding provider-based training on safe lifting techniques as well as safe work practices.

Borgess Medical Center

●Headed successful conversion of defined benefit plan to a new vendor with updated plan design for over 4000 participants (active and retired), combining data from three separate payroll systems.

●Worked on team to redesign health plans to reduce costs to associates and employers.

●Service award recipient for effective design and implementation of an annual Benefit Fair.

Personal & Family Readiness Division

●Award recipient for designing a pre-retirement seminar for employees of Marine Corps Nonappropriated Fund.

●Project manager for development of total compensation statements.

●Organized quarterly Retirement Savings seminars. Participation in defined contribution plan increased by 34% over a six month period.

Lauren G. Smith p. 2

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

GREEN BAY PACKAGING, INC. Kalamazoo, MI 10/2015 – Present

Corrugated/Packaging Manufacturer

Human Resources Manager/Safety Director

●Assess staffing needs, arrange recruiting and bench strength development based on evolving needs.

●Created internship programs for business and packaging school students.

●Partner with local technical schools and veteran/IWD organizations to create streamlined talent pools.

●Manage annual open enrollment process, communicating with employees and supervisors, the corporate office, and the health care TPAs.

●Administer and interpret company policies and procedures, and the collective bargaining agreement. Frequent contact with the bargaining committee as well as participate in collective bargaining.

●Serve as trusted business partner to superintendents, supervisors, and managers, providing guidance on performance appraisals, coaching and mentoring, the disciplinary process, and terminations. Explain federal and state regulations that impact the employment relationship.

●Co-lead company safety program, ensuring compliance with MiOSHA standards. Review safety programs and update as needed. Investigate safety incidents and recommend appropriate corrective actions.

●Ensure programs are legally compliant with FLSA, FMLA, ADA, EEO, USERRA, HIPAA, GINA, etc.

●Establish and maintain personnel and medical records.

●Serve as SME for newly hired HR managers

LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTER, Kentwood, Kalamazoo, Portage MI 10/2008 – 10/2015

Home Improvement Retailer

Human Resources Manager

●Provided appropriate staffing levels to multi-department facility through effective recruiting and talent management.

●Partnered with management to ensure training opportunities were communicated to all associates.

●Administered benefit plans, worker’s compensation, and general liability claims.

●Promoted positive employee relations by providing strong, visible HR presence.

●Ensured HR role was proactive by serving on various committees; acted as mentor for the employee-driven Voice Team.

●Responded to unemployment claims and hearings.

●Processed payroll and ensured schedules were developed according to sales metrics and employee availability.

●Assisted in development of management team by serving as a consultant and guide for any employee issues they encountered.

●Provided interim HR support to stores within the Market that had no HR in place.

●Served as subject matter expert and “go-to” trainer for newly hired HR managers in Region 4 and Region 2.

REHRIG UNITED, Battle Creek MI 6/2008 – 10/2008

Steel & Plastic Manufacturer

Human Resources Consultant

Provided HR generalist function to a small manufacturing facility, serving both union and non-union employees.

●Recruiting for production and managerial positions.

●Interpreted union contract; processed grievances; initiated disciplinary action as needed.

●Administered benefit plans; worker’s compensation and safety programs, EEO reporting.

●Responded to unemployment insurance claims and participated in unemployment hearings.

●Worked closely with plant and production managers to determine manpower needs each week.

●Handled all aspects of layoff and recall of collective bargaining unit employees; employee and labor relations.

●Verified and processed all step increases in accordance with the bargaining agreement.

●Created position descriptions for hourly and salary positions.

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BORGESS MEDICAL CENTER, Kalamazoo, MI 2/2005 – 5/2008

Nonprofit Healthcare System

Employee Benefits Specialist

Administered all employee benefit plans for a large, nonprofit hospital.

Direct contact with 3,800+ employees; from physicians to housekeepers, union and nonunion employee groups.

●Record-keeping of the benefit budget to include health and life insurance, defined benefit and defined contribution plans, and education/adoption reimbursement.

●Daily administration of self-funded health insurance; monitoring claims, increasing participant awareness of new Wellness program designed to help identify employee populations that would benefit from disease management programs; claims adjudication and appeals.

●Ensured Borgess Health benefits were compliant with state and federal legislation (HIPAA, EGTRAA, WFTRA, ERISA)

●Conducted benefit in-service meetings and new employee orientation for new hires to provide high level introduction to the benefit plans and company policies/procedures.

●Wrote and formatted for printing handbooks for all benefit plans.

●Analyzed health claims data provided from Third Party Administrator. Used data to plan for future benefit needs.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

WEBSTER UNIVERSITY, St. Louis, MO

Master of Arts, Human Resources Management

THE COLLEGE OF WOOSTER, Wooster, OH

Bachelor of Arts, History/English

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

FMLA Master Class – The New Landscape of Eligibility & Compliance (Kalamazoo, MI)

MiOHSA Level 1 Safety & Health General Industry Certificate (Lansing, MI)

Hazardous Materials Training (Green Bay, WI)

Situational Leadership II (Indianapolis, IN)

Labor Relations Training (Washington, DC)

Writing Employee Handbooks (Quantico, VA)

Franklin Covey Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (Quantico, VA)

Mid-Management Training (University of Arkansas, Sam Walton Institute)

PHR Certification – 2000 – 2006

REFERENCES

Provided upon request.

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