Human Resources Management

Lucia Owens

Senior Human Resources Professional

As a dedicated Human Resources Professional with 15 plus years of progressive experience, my goal is to join an enterprising and forward-thinking organization in which I could add value and leadership.

* Knowledge spans various industries and cultures coupled with multi-site and interstate locations (Retail, Business Solutions/Service Products, Non-Profit, Education, Financial Services, Manufacturing, and City)

* Practical problem solver in conflict resolutions and employee relations

* Strong organizational and strategic planning, project and compliance management

* Considerable experience in conducting extensive, sensitive investigations

* Experienced in supervising and managing people, training and development, and streamlining systems    

* Effective change management leader, talent management and retention specialist

* Full-cycle recruitment for all levels (hourly, technical, specialty and C-level)

* Ability to manage DOL and Unemployment inquiries and hearings

* California Federal and State Law HR subject expert

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Regional Human Resource Manager – Laid-off

3/2009 - 3/2010 – General Parts International Inc. /CARQUEST, Bakersfield, CA

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) aftermarket auto parts retailer

Employed to manage, coach, train and mentor Regional Directors (Sales/Ops) and Store Managers to successfully turn around poor performance and management styles and to increase diversity initiatives while gaining the respect and trust of teammates

* Planned, coordinated and executed HR management and safety compliance polices for 95 retail stores and approximately 1,000+ teammates across California

* Responsible for reducing turn-over by 15% and increasing diversity by 25%

* Budget management

* Oversight of all aspects of staff performance; performance evaluations, progressive discipline, mediation of staff disputes and grievances

* Managed and prevailed in CA Wage and Hour, and Unemployment hearings

* Provided leadership in managing meal and rest period violations to minimize penalty costs

* Travelled intra- and interstate 90% of time

Human Resource Manager (Generalist) – Laid-off

8/2007 - 3/2009 – Kroll Background Screening, Chatsworth, CA

Security, Risk and Restructuring Consulting Firm

Tasked with redefining the HR role and how it interacted with all levels of management and line staff; created a cohesive and productive work environment. Provided comprehensive HR support for the background screening division.

* Responsible for the day-to-day generalist HR functions such as payroll, performance management, employee relations, safety management, recruiting, on-boarding, training, terminations and supervising 130 employees in various business units (Customer Service, Quality Assurance, Verifications, Criminal Records, Drugs & Physical, Sales, Marketing and IT)

* Mentored, coached, counseled and developed 6 new supervisors to become effective leaders utilizing various techniques

* Successfully managed the RIF of over 40 employees, while maintaining the respect of all without issue

Human Resources Manager

10/2003 - 8/2007 – The Center for Learning Unlimited, Rolling Hills Estates, CA

A non-profit/special education start-up

Employed to design, develop, manage and implement all aspects of Human Resources management, policies and practices

* Saved the company over $100k in my first year by installing a comprehensive small business benefits program (medical, dental and vision); designing pay scales in line with other schools, yet affordable for a non-profit; and streamlining all purchasing efforts

* Managed a $1M budget

* Provided extensive knowledge to the Executive Director, Board of Directors and Finance Manager in developing strategic goals and objectives, by designing and implementing a 3-5 year business succession plan

* Development and oversight of all aspects of staff performance; performance evaluations, progressive discipline, mediation of staff disputes and grievances

* Completely revamped staff to be inline with a growing institution

* Managed the success of team building efforts to develop effective communication and leadership strategies

* Liaison between the various school districts to ensure annual contractual compliance

* Successfully designed and wrote company evacuation and in-shelter disaster plans and conducted evacuation drills

* Supervised, scheduled, trained and mentored three direct reports – a receptionist and two program coordinators -- and 20 independent contractors (indirectly)

* Managed, hired and scheduled after-school tutorial program staff

* Managed the day-to-day educational operations and functioned as the back-up to the Executive Director

* Directly responsible for CLU obtaining Non-Public School (NPS) certification

Human Resources Consultant

3/2001 - 10/2003 – AEGON USA/Transamerica Life Companies, Los Angeles, CA

Financial Insurance & Investment Organization

Employed in this newly created position to build a collaborative and cohesive partnership with leaders in the AEGON and Transamerica organizations

* Consultant for over 500 employees in various business units (IT, Finance, Procurement, Sales, Legal, and Marketing)

* Due to acquisition, provided HR expertise and analysis to management in restructuring and aligning job descriptions and compensation

* Initiated and managed a six-month team building workshop for the IT department to resolve ER issues which resulted in increased efficiency, productivity and created a cohesive work environment

* Redesigned and implemented a functional and comprehensive New Hire/On-boarding process

* Initiated and implemented behavioral interviewing practices to reduce time-to-fill efforts

* Actively participated in and functioned as the HR department’s Safety Coordinator

* Shared supervision of receptionist, HR assistant, Leave/WC and HRIS specialist

* Managed cross-divisional HR polices/procedures/compensation practices amongst AEGON USA and TA employees

* Supported ongoing streamlining efforts through RIF

Human Resources Generalist

9/1996 - 3/2001 – Leiner Health Products, Carson, CA

Nationwide manufacturer of A-Z vitamins, herbal supplements and over-the-counter pharmaceutical products

* Immediately changed the perception of the HR department through valuable hands-on communication and proactive techniques

* Promoted 3 times over course of employment

* Successfully managed and designed a job fair yielding 30 new hires; resulted in like efforts for Valencia, CA and South Carolina locations

* Four years of successful design and planning of employee appreciation day events for over 3,000 employees, on- and off-grounds

* Managed and prepared annual AAP, Vets 100 and EEO-1 reports

* Managed senior level recruitment and relocation requirements

* Managed all aspects of workers' compensation claims and leaves

* Managed over 100 temporary employees for campus-style locations, and saved over $250k in temporary agency fees, while reducing direct hire fees 

* Participated in the company’s first RIF of 100+ employees

EDUCATION AND AFFILIATES

* Master of Science (MS), Human Resources Management – Chapman University

* Bachelor of Science (BS), Business Management – University of Phoenix

* Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)

* Professional in Human Resources Association (PIHRA)

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

* Advanced knowledge of all MS Office programs including Access and MS Project * PeopleSoft * Oracle * Kronos * MyTime * Peopleclick * Taleo

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