Human Resources Talent Acquisition

KRISTIN ALBERS

Berrien Springs, MI USA 269-***-**** *******.********@*****.*** LinkedIn.com/in/Kristin-Albers Operations & Human Resources Director

Growth enabler scaling people, shaping culture, and driving operational excellence across complex organizations. Operations Director and Human Resource Director with 20+ years of experience driving payroll administration, HR, and financial operations across nonprofit, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Recognized for optimizing hiring pipelines to significantly increase staffing, reducing operational costs, and maintaining impeccable payroll compliance. Expert in process improvement, onboarding transformation, and budget management, with a proven ability to align HR and finance functions to support organizational growth and audit readiness. Committed to delivering strategic leadership that enhances operational efficiency and fosters employee development within professional services and consulting environments. AREA OF EXPERTISE

● Payroll Administration & Compliance

● Strategic Hiring & Talent Acquisition

● Financial Planning & Budget Management

● HR Policy Development & Compliance

● Process Improvement & Operational Efficiency

● Onboarding & Employee Training

● Audit Preparation & Risk Mitigation

● Leadership & Team Development

● Grant & Expense Tracking

● Customer Service & Retail Operations

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

● Increased plant staffing by 60% within four months by streamlining hiring pipelines and aligning recruitment with production schedules.

● Reduced operational costs by 15% through strategic financial planning and improved budget adherence.

● Maintained 100% compliance with payroll tax regulations and error-free quarterly and annual filings, strengthening audit readiness.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Chief Operating Officer The Abundant Acre United States May 2023 - Present Establish and lead a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization focused on providing healthy, accessible food options to underserved communities. Oversee strategic planning, financial operations, and donor relations to ensure sustainable growth and effective community impact. Cultivate partnerships with food banks and local organizations to maximize outreach and resource use.

● Launched and scaled a mission-driven nonprofit, distributing over 2,000 lbs of fresh protein annually to food banks and families in need.

● Directed all financial operations, achieving 100% compliance with nonprofit reporting requirements and ensuring transparent donor fund management.

● Built and sustained partnerships with 10+ local organizations, leading to an increase in outreach capacity within the first year.

● Expanded food production capabilities, improving year-round access to nutritious food for hundreds of low-income households.

Payroll Accountant Saint Mary’s College Notre Dame, IN 2023 - Present Manage all aspects of payroll accounting for faculty, staff, and student employees, including processing of payroll cycles, tax filings, and W-2 preparation. Ensure accurate position costing across departments to support budgeting accuracy and financial planning. Reconcile payroll-related balance sheet accounts and resolve discrepancies promptly. Collaborate closely with student employees to enhance their understanding of payroll procedures and empower their financial literacy.

● Streamlined the bi-weekly payroll process, reducing processing time while maintaining 100% on-time delivery.

● Ensured full compliance with payroll tax regulations, resulting in zero errors or penalties during quarterly and annual filings.

● Reconciled all payroll-related general ledger accounts monthly, contributing to improved audit readiness and cleaner financial reporting.

● Spearheaded a student payroll onboarding initiative, increasing student self-service registration accuracy and reducing administrative follow-up.

Staff Accountant YWCA North Central Indiana, Inc. South Bend, IN 2022 - 2023 Oversaw daily accounting operations, including payables, receivables, payroll for multi-location staff, and grant tracking, while preparing finance reports and supporting audits. Developed financial policies to ensure consistency and compliance. Also handled HR functions such as onboarding, benefits, PTO, I-9s, retirement plans, and tax filings, collaborating with leadership to streamline financial and HR processes.

● Coordinated payroll across two regional offices, ensuring accuracy and timeliness for all staff members.

● Successfully prepared and presented monthly financial reports, supporting data-driven decisions at the executive level.

● Improved onboarding efficiency by standardizing HR documentation and automating parts of the new hire process.

● Ensured 100% compliance with I-9 and retirement documentation during HR file audits.

● Streamlined grant expense tracking procedures, improving reporting clarity and audit readiness. Human Resources Assistant MAP of Easton Granger, IN 2021 - 2022 Supported recruitment and onboarding efforts by partnering with management to forecast staffing needs based on production schedules and client demand. Played a key role in talent acquisition during a critical ramp-up period prior to plant closure, ensuring all positions were filled efficiently and aligned with operational goals.

● Increased plant staffing by 60% in four months by sourcing over 150 candidates and conducting 100+ interviews

● Standardized onboarding process, cutting new hire setup time and boosting day-one readiness.

● Improved workforce planning accuracy by aligning hiring with production cycle forecasts

● Reduced average time-to-hire and improved candidate follow-up rates by 50% through enhanced tracking tools and communication logs

Director of Operations Villwocks Outdoor Living Berrien Springs, MI 2019 - 2021 Directed business operations by streamlining processes across departments through collaboration with staff and leadership. Led strategic planning to align goals with growth objectives. Partnered with department heads to develop financial plans and improve HR functions. Collaborated with project managers on budgeting for special projects. Served as HR manager to enforce policies and maintain compliance.

● Spearheaded process improvements that enhanced departmental efficiency, reducing operational bottlenecks and increasing productivity by an estimated 20%.

● Collaborated with executive leadership to create a 3-year strategic plan that positioned the company for sustainable growth and operational scalability.

● Developed comprehensive financial plans with department heads, resulting in improved budget adherence and a 15% reduction in operational costs.

● Conducted performance evaluations of HR functions and introduced policy updates that strengthened compliance and reduced employee turnover by improving workplace satisfaction.

● Partnered with project managers to design and manage budgets for special programs, maintaining projects within budget and on schedule.

New Business Development Fapco, Inc. Buchanan, MI Riyadh 2018 - 2019 Grew business by identifying and delivering cost-saving packaging solutions tailored to client needs. Conducted lead generation, sales calls, and plant tours to engage prospects and provide accurate packaging estimates that aligned with customer requirements.

● Generated new leads that expanded the client base and increased sales opportunities.

● Delivered customized packaging solutions that helped clients reduce costs and improve efficiency.

● Conducted detailed plant tours and presentations, enhancing customer understanding and trust. Vice President, Operations tca SynerTech, LLC Berrien Springs, MI 1999 - 2018 Led daily operations, including accounts receivable/payable, payroll tax processing, and staff scheduling. Led hiring and training initiatives, maintained strong customer relations and enforcing company policies. Administered employee benefits, I-9 certification, insurance, and inventory control. Recognized repeatedly for driving operational efficiency and growth.

● Reduced billing errors through streamlined accounts receivable processes.

● Trained and onboarded over 25 staff members, improving new hire ramp-up time.

● Developed HR protocols that ensured 100% I-9 and payroll tax compliance.

● Lowered inventory discrepancies by implementing a real-time tracking system.

● Earned President’s Award five consecutive years for outstanding performance and leadership. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sales Manager Gordon's Jewelers Benton Harbor MI

● Led daily operations of a $946K retail store, supervised and trained a team of six, and consistently surpassed warranty sales goals. Focused on delivering high-impact customer service and driving team performance. Administrative Assistant United States Army

● Provided administrative support across scheduling, training, and logistics; improved training effectiveness by 80% and supported operations during Desert Storm.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS

● President’s Award (Multiple Years) – Recognized as the most valuable employee at TCA SynerTech

● Army Commendation Medal – Meritorious service in support of the U.S. Army Central Command during Operation Desert Storm

● Soldier of the Quarter – Third Quarter 1994

● Army Achievement Medal – Outstanding performance and attention to detail

● Society for Human Resources – Member since 2006

● American Legion – Member since 2013

EDUCATION & Certifications

● Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration (EMNA) – University of Notre Dame – Notre Dame, IN

● Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (H.R) – Colorado Technical University – Colorado Springs, CO

● Fostering A Culture of Belonging (DEI) Certificate Association of College & University Educators (ACUE)

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