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Work Background
Build-A-Bear WorkshopVP Human Resources Operations & Administration
Nov. 2023
Career BreakCareer transition
Jun. 2022 - Oct. 2023Greater St. Louis AreaFollowing the sale of Huttig, the executive team was released as part of the change in control. I took this opportunity to visit family overseas and in the US; travel; oversee the construction of our new home; along with checking off a couple of bucket list items.
Huttig Building ProductsVice President Human Resources
Mar. 2017 - May. 2022St. Louis, MOEngaged as a member of the senior executive team, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. Developed and executed the human capital components of the company’s turnaround strategy and contributed to a dramatic improvement in business outcomes and profitability. As a result, the company’s stock price improved from $1.05 to $10.70.
● Developed a benefits strategy that reduced medical expenses by 37% ($3.6M) in the first year.
● Redesigned the short-term incentive program for branch General Managers resulting in improved operating profit. ● Implemented a succession management process that ensured the seamless transition of two senior executives into critical roles.
● Negotiated favorable collective bargaining agreements and generally improved the tone of labor and employee relations. Maintained “union free” status at other sites through a quarterly employee pulse survey process. ● Supported the Board of Directors in the process to sell the company and ensure a smooth transition to new ownership.
MilliporeSigmaGlobal HR Business Partner - Integrated Supply Chain Operations - Biologics
Jan. 2015 - Dec. 2017Greater St. LouisResponsible for sites in the United States (10), the United Kingdom (2), and Israel (2). One of my key roles was to direct the business unit's transition and integration management efforts, including organization design and placement, leadership team building, staff "welcome" training, all-employee learning events on market dynamics and business strategy, and leadership talent development and succession. Besides that, I coached a group of 11 HR Business Partners charged with providing business-focused HR services to 3K employees.
A small section of my achievements is stated as follows:
● Played a key role in post-merger integration for many acquisitions and, in 2016, the post-sale integration of Sigma-Aldrich into the Merck, KgaA organization.
● Appointed interim Global HR Business Partner for the CIO and Chief Digital Officer during a colleague’s extended leave of absence.
MilliporeSigmaVP Human Resources - Americas
Jan. 2013 - Dec. 2015Greater St. LouisFormerly Sigma Aldrich. Led a team of 26 to delivery HR services to 4.700 employees in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, reporting to the Corporate VP Human Resources. I successfully provided intensive talent management support to staff the redesigned sales and marketing organizations using a "build-buy-borrow" model. Additionally, I implemented quarterly employee "pulse" surveys to monitor engagement levels during a period of continuous change, complicated by several broad internal investigations. Furthermore, I oversaw HR integration activities for a Brazilian acquisition.
Some of my contribution to the organization includes:
• Restructured the Americas HR organization to increase strategic alignment and improve HR:FTE ratios at higher-risk locations.
• Played a vital role as an interim HR business partner to the President, Asia-Pacific, the President, Research Markets, in addition to Corporate IT, Finance and Legal/EHS.
MilliporeSigmaVice President Organization Development
Jan. 2013 - Dec. 2013Greater St. LouisFormerly Sigma Aldrich Developed and implemented processes and tools to support the implementation of a new business strategy, reporting to the Corporate VP Human Resources. Served as interim HR business partner to the President, Asia-Pacific and the President, Research Markets.
Key achievements:
• Implemented a common SAP-HR performance management system for 9,000 employees in 11 languages, to ensure clear objectives alignment and more consistent performance feedback.
• Streamlined global employee survey-feedback process to measure and improve A.C.E. (the degree to which employees believe they are aligned with, capable of executing, and engaged in the new business strategy.
MilliporeSigmaVice President Human Resources - US & Canada
Jan. 2009 - Dec. 2013Greater St. LouisFormerly Sigma Aldrich Led a team of 23 to provide HR services to 3,750 employees during a time of significant change and challenging business conditions. I served as the lead HR business partner for two business units and the corporate functions, reporting to the Managing Director, US-Canada. I collaborated with the Information Systems team to consolidate three web-based HR point solutions into a SAP-HR platform to provide similar functionality at a lower cost. Additionally, I trained and coached a traditional employee relations-focused HR team to begin the transition to the business partner model.
Key accomplishments:
• Restructured the department to drive improved transactional efficiency and quality using a combination of strategies including outsourcing, shared services, centers of excellence and HRIS-enabled employee and manager direct access.
• Streamlined the executive talent and succession management process and cascaded this new "light" model to middle-management.
MilliporeSigmaDirector Organization Development
Jan. 2006 - Dec. 2009
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