Robert Kennedy, MBA, CTR

Experience

• 

  US Army

  Jan 1991 - Jan 2001

  Nashville Recruiting Battalion, Knoxville Company, Cookeville RS Active Duty U.S. Army Recruiter

  • Recruiting Station Cmdr.

    Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  • Recruiter

    Jan 1997 - Jan 1999

  • Field Artillery - 13M30

    Jan 1991 - Jan 1997
• 

  Commonwealth of Kentucky

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  LVER -Workforce Development Specialist

  Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) / Workforce Development Specialist. Supported Veteran employment and engagement programs within a 6 county area in south-central Kentucky. Worked with local area employers to develop veteran focused hiring and training plans, outreach and recruitment plans. Worked individually with over 2,000 local area veterans to remove employment barriers related to education and skill deficiencies. This opportunity to serve fellow Veterans was one of my most satisfying and rewarding endeavors. Show less

• 

  Teleologic Learning Company

  Apr 2004 - Apr 2007

  HR Manager

  Provided Human Resource management to start-up joint venture between Teleologic Learning Company and the Center for Advanced Learning. Primary objectives included developing 24/7 call center and subject matter expertise support to Department of Homeland Security and Bureau of National Guard training programs. Designed unique recruiting and on-boarding processes to recruit and hire highly specialized personnel with military and foreign service officer backgrounds. Designed and developed all HRIS protocols and daily operations guidance for training facilitators and call-center personnel. Responsible for direction and coordination of all human resource and payroll functions to include talent acquisition, workforce planning, HR & Operations budget planning, employee relations, new employee welcome program, annual organizational talent review and performance management. Show less

• 

  Hendrickson

  Apr 2007 - Jun 2008

  Human Resource Representative II

  Lead HR generalist supporting all plant wide HR functions and plant safety programs during start-up phase of operations. Worked closely with plant management team to design and implement staffing plans, hourly workforce policies and procedures, employee driven safety teams and payroll procedures. Worked within budgets to meet start-up financial and headcount goals.

• 

  The Center for Rural Development

  Jun 2008 - Nov 2010

  Director of Homeland Security Training Programs

  Reporting directly to the Center for Rural Development CEO and Board of Directors, coordinated all technology, training and workforce resources provided by the Center for Rural Development (CRD) to the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC) and the Institute for Preventive Strategies (IPS). Requested and administered 12M dollar annual training budgets from Department of Homeland Security for the purposes of training Rural First Responders across the United States. Oversight and supervision of 15 personnel with specialized experience in Information Technology, enterprise level Learning Management Systems, web design, graphic design, video production. Organized and directed RDPC technology support to partner consortium members at Eastern Kentucky University, University of Findlay, East Tennessee State University, North West Arkansas Community College and North Carolina Central University.Key Accomplishments: over 4,000 personnel trained; 4 new courses developed. Directed consortium partners in the delivery of first ever RDPC live webcast with Q&A session. Lead the design, development and roll-out of new RDPC website that included online training request and course registration system. Show less

• 

  Lockmasters Security Institute Inc.

  Nov 2010 - May 2011

  Program Manager

  Implemented student recruitment program focused on increasing enrollment of recently separated veterans, and disabled veterans into Lockmaster’s Physical Security Specialist and Locksmith training programs. Promoted LSI's Veterans Affairs Post-9/11 G.I Bill Certification as a funding option for transitioning service members seeking Locksmith and Physical Security careers with Department of Defense agencies and private sector security firms.

• 

  Hendrickson

  Jun 2011 - Mar 2018

  HR Manager for a large (450+ EE) trailer axle manufacturer. Provide purpose, direction and motivation for 5 person HR/Safety team while reporting directly to the Plant Manager and indirect reporting to the Division Director of HR. Member of the Plant Management Team offering strategic guidance regarding people management and industrial safety.Responsible for all HR functions and plant safety programs including but not limited to working closely with plant management team to design and implement staffing plans, hourly workforce policies and procedures, employee driven safety teams, succession planning and payroll procedures. Identify the employee's due process rights under applicable labor laws and current company policies; engage in continuous negotiations to informally resolve employee/management concerns, and avoid formal actions. Develop department managers’ ability to identify actions that are consistent with the facts and the organization's policy on discipline; advise for the performance appraisal leveling sessions, proficiency rating, competency assessment, and merit increase process for the facility; advise management about writing critical elements and performance standards. Advise management on job analysis, determining pay grades and compensation levels. Determine candidate qualifications and advise selection managers on appropriate grade and compensation levels. Manage and advise company employees on eligibility for various company benefits and training programs; assist in designing programs that support and align with organizational goals.Key accomplishments: Implemented Safety Line Lead program for each shift to increase participation in site safety programs. Guided site through TN OSHA Voluntary Protection Program site inspection resulting in acceptance into 5 yr onsite audit plan. Updated hourly compensation plan to provide training incentive pay. Developed front line supervisor training program. Show less HR Manager for a large (550+ EE) trailer axle/suspension manufacturer in South East KY. Provide purpose, direction and motivation for 4 person HR/Safety team while reporting directly to the Plant Manager and indirect reporting to the Division Director of HR. Member of the Plant Management Team offering strategic guidance regarding people management and industrial safety.Key Metrics:- Reduced facility annual workers compensation costs by $200K 2013-2015- Reduced facility Total Recordable Case Rate by 75% 2013-2015- Scored highest internal Safety audit rating 2014, 2015- Delivered 99% of hourly staffing plan 2013,2014,2015 Show less

  • Human Resources Manager

    Jan 2017 - Mar 2018

  • Human Resource Manager

    Jun 2011 - Jan 2017
• 

  Fresenius Medical Care North America

  Sept 2018 - Sept 2021

  Manager, HRBP

  Directs the planning, development, implementation, administration, and budgeting of human resource functions: employee relations, organizational development, change management, affirmative action, and health and safety services programs. Advises company management in personnel policy and program matters(Compensation, Employee Relation and Collective Bargaining Agreements, Talent Acquisition & Retention Employee Shared Services), making or recommending appropriate decisions as consistent with strategic direction. Selects, develops, and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the function.Works closely with Site Leadership Team to connect Corporate HR Shared Services and Centers of Experience to meet the Knoxville Facility's Manufacturing and FDA compliance goals.Key projects and accomplishments: FY2019 - Updated site Workers Compensation program by adding Occupational Medicine Physicians to Medical panel - Reduction of OSHA Recordable injuries by 55%; Reduced contingent labor staffing by 25% due to streamlined annual staffing plan and facilitating increased collaboration between talent acquisition and local hiring managers; met 95% of annual staffing plan; 25% increase in diversity hiring by leveraging relationships with the Manufacturing Institute's STEP Ahead program and Heroes Make America program. Show less

• 

  Great Dane

  Nov 2021 - Aug 2022

  Human Resources Manager
• 

  ORAU

  Aug 2022 - now

  Workforce Solutions Senior Recruiter

  Oak Ridge Associated UniversitiesFor more than 75 years, we have helped our customers advance their mission by providing science, health and workforce solutions. Through our specialized teams of experts and a consortium of more than 150 universities, we connect the right people and resources to help our customers solve our nation’s most challenging issues.