Jason J. Buss
Columbus, NE ***01
*********@*****.***
My energy, Strategic Global HR/OD experience and ability to speak Spanish enable organizations with diverse teams to surpass their goals.
Education
University of Denver Denver, CO Projected Fall of 2013
• Pursuing a Masters of Science in Strategic Innovation and Change online
Missouri Western State University St. Joseph, MO 2003
• Earned a Bachelors Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resource Management, and minor in Spanish
The Spanish Language Institute Cuernavaca, México 2000, 2001
• Completed both the summer program and later the semester-long fluency attainment program.
Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) HRCI / SHRM 12/2007 – 12/2010
• Studied the SHRM learning system program over a 9 month period and attended a SHRM preparatory course.
• Attained GPHR certification, one of less than 2000 GPHR certified professionals in the world; www.HRCI.org
Skills
Interpersonal, Creativity and Management Skills:
• Lean Leader – Seeking efficiency in the HR process, empowering our employees and allowing my team to be more effective; ultimately reducing costs, Lean Leader Trained
• Strategic Partner – working with operations to anticipate and adapt to their needs in order to achieve business goals
• Adept Interpersonal Communicator- instilling confidence, creating positive culture change, effectively resolving conflict, and providing a positive work environment
• Bilingual; my ability to communicate in both English and Spanish is an invaluable tool
Computer Skills:
• Proficient in the use of the entire Microsoft Office line and various graphic and website design programs
• Experience various HRIS programs including Ultimate Software, Prisma, ABRA, PeopleSoft, ADP Enterprise, CITRIX report writer, Mercer Compensation Reports, Netlink.
• Developing many simplified and time saving reporting systems to better equip the operations group with the tools necessary to make the best decisions
Experience
Behlen Mfg. Co. - www.behlenmfg.com Columbus, NE May 2011-present
Director of Organizational Development and Continuous Improvement
Leading Development and the Lean Transformation while maintaining Behlen’s enduring culture.
• Leading Improvement teams utilizing Lean culture/tools to discover wastes and to plan and execute improvement projects in manufacturing, logistics and Administration
• Introducing new recruiting tools such as LinkedIn, Facebook Ads, and online recruiting services, college outreach, training programs from Vocational Rehab, OJT
• Developing Partners in Progress by adding various training programs; Sales, Leadership Behlen, CSR Training, Basic, Advanced and Robotic Welding
Covidien - www.covidien.com Norfolk, NE August 2010-May 2011
Plant HR Manager
Responsible for HR for a facility of 400+ highly technical employees with 3 shifts and 6 crews.
My short term mission at Covidien was to build a compliant HR structure and streamline processes and to develop the Assistant HR Manager into the next HR Manager
• Implemented High Performance Initiatives Including; a salaried IDP, mentoring program, simple (but effective) 1 page Hourly Performance Review, Pay for Performance
• Put into Compliance various systems to mitigate legal risks in excess of $500k, participated in HRIS implementation
• Cut Costs by better reporting for higher scrutiny of overtime, ending wasteful spending, focusing on value added employee relations activities, leading Lean Initiatives
• Mentored and Coached the HR team through the final stages of a restructuring project, PeopleSoft payroll implementation and Technical Recruiting Challenges
• Leading High Performance Organization initiatives such as the Training Council, Lean engagement, 6S, various training initiatives to achieve BEST Certification QIP Gold
• Developed the Assistant HR Manager and prepared her to assume the HR Manager role
Vishay Intertechnology - www.vishay.com USA (various), México, Costa Rica, Canada 2004-August 2010
Sr. HR Manager
Based in Columbus, NE; responsible for HR in 5 production facilities and 6 field sales offices (1000 employees, 8 payrolls)
My primary role in Vishay has been as a change agent; making many large strategic HR improvements that both cut cost and improved service
• Promoted to Sr. International HR Manager after 1 year to assist with assessing and developing HR groups in Latin America and Canada
• Reduced Headcount: Developed/Empowered a team of 5 HR employees in Cd. Juarez to efficiently perform what had been done by 38 employees in years prior
• Reduced costs: Continued to cut various HR/employee relations costs from 350k to just 70k, cutting to even less during the economic downturn of 2009
• Drove many productivity advances for payroll, benefit administration, and headcount reporting that made such headcount reduction possible
• Implemented various Global policies, ethics handbook revision and other guidelines with compliance to local legal and cultural needs in all 3 countries
• Actively participating Sr. HR Mgt team making further improvement of North American policy and practices
. Managing various functions for all sites the Americas: International Relocation, Immigration, ITAR, and Foreign assignment/taxes/compensation
. Assimilating all NA site Worker’s Compensation and Safety Information for Global reporting, providing support for WC claim issues in various locations
• Adjusted interview and new candidate process to reduce process time and improve new employee retention throughout various different hiring climates.
• Utilized Mercer Salary Survey Data to efficiently evaluate salaries at all levels to control increases during a large upturn in competition and turnover in Cd. Juarez
• Integrated global personnel budget format for 8 different payrolls, providing detailed headcount and fringe cost analysis to assist operations in planning for costs
• Developed/translated several training programs to the local dialect, including Lock-out/Tag-out, emergency procedures manual, and many others mentioned below
• Performed due diligence evaluation of liability and integration procedures for various acquisitions, entity sale and closures in Brazil, Canada, and the US.
HR Manager
HR Manager of a 600 employee facility in Columbus, NE as well as another 150 employee facility undergoing closure in Norfolk, NE
My primary role at Vishay Columbus/Norfolk was a department revitalization revising all areas of the department during a plant consolidation
• Performed Transfer or Severance of final 150 employees, in compliance with the WARN Act
• Complete review and “overhaul” of North American policy and procedures and Local specialized guidelines
• Improved internal communication through streamlined monthly supervisor meetings and subsequent line meetings
• Implemented and/or Developed several training programs including Forklift Certification, Performance Evaluation, Ethics, Corrective Counseling tactics/documentation, effective line meetings, proper interview tactics, time management practices for supervisors, Emergency Exit planning, laser and plating safety and many more
ConAgra Foods Company – www.conagra.com Hastings, NE 2003-2004
HR Generalist (functioning as an Interim HR Manager)
Performed all essential HR functions for a plant of 575 employees
My primary role at ConAgra was to work as a strategic partner with operations - plant growth projects: addition of a 3rd shift and a production line
• Originally I was to work as a generalist, but in the sudden absence of a manager, I assumed both roles of the generalist and HR Manager
• Hiring of personnel both hourly and salaried in English, Spanish, and (with the use of interpreters) in Vietnamese and Nuer (Sudan, Africa)
• Incident investigation, Disciplinary action, conflict resolution, grievance investigation, and training of both hourly and salaried employees
• Benefits administration, AAP Report organization and analysis, Processing FMLA leave requests with an outside vendor
• Coordinating employee recognition programs and enrichment events
Gibbon Packing, Inc. Gibbon, NE 2003
HR Assistant/Benefit Clerk
Recruiting individuals for both entry level and highly-skilled positions both in English as well as in Spanish, HR Administration
• Responsible for benefit administration and entry including 401k and insurance, administration of unpaid time off, vacation requests, and FMLA leave documentation/notices
• Leading the Communications Committee
• Facilitating disciplinary action and termination of employees
• Evaluating and corresponding to unemployment claims, assisting with workman’s compensation claim management
• Compilation and filing of various EEO-1 reports, and aiding in the implementation of new AAP software, Complete AAP, resulting in $15,000 saved
• Coordinating employee events such as the company picnic, kids day, and holiday parties, implementation of employee reward programs such as “Employee of the Month”
• Functioning as an translator/interpreter of documents and for Spanish-speaking employees
Budget Rent a Car Kansas City, MO 1999 - 2002
Airport Shift Manager
Direction of 20 employees in a busy airport location, Promoted from customer service representative to manager in 6 months
• Responsible for recruitment and disciplinary action of my staff (no local HR staff)
• Implemented new review software and procedures
• Redesigned customer service representative training program
• Controlled weekly forecasting of fleet utilization as well as daily operations reporting
• Satisfying customer questions and problems on a daily basis
Non-Profit Eperience
Columbus Area Recreational Trails – www.columbusnetrails.com Columbus, NE January 2007 - present
President
Leading Development of Recreational Trails in the Columbus Community, Coordinating Grants, Fundraising, Volunteers and overall direction of 501c3 Organization
• Leading a Trail project with the Mayor to fund and build an extension of the Pawnee Park Trail August 2012
• Coordinating fundraising efforts with the Chamber of Commerce for “Taste of Columbus”, raising over 50k October 2011
• Building our Project “Hopper” our first organized multi-project ranking/management report August 2010
• Elected as a board member in January 2007, Elected Secretary in March 2008, Elected President in August of 2010
Justice for our Neighbors – www.jfon-ne.org Columbus, NE July 2007 - present
Spanish Intake Coordinator
Translating immigration intake paperwork for persons seeking immigration assistance for legal council review
• Utilizing my ability to speak Spanish to help people with their immigration situation
• Coordinating immigration information to legal council, validating information recieved
• Frequently attending immigration training sessions, assisting with fundraising and volunteer drives
• Referring clients to JFON for assistance
Columbus Duathlon – www.columbusduathlon.com Columbus, NE August 2008 - present
Race Director
Leading Marketing, Safety, Sanctioning and Timing of the Columbus Duathlon
• Donating more than $6000 to Non-Profit Organizations
• Developing a Website, Online Registration and an electronic timing system
• Growing the event in terms of participants and $ donated
• Integrating chip timing, dry-fit shirts, and various other improvements
• Sanctioning the event with USA Triathlon, drawing elite racers from many states away