Cara Trebbensee SPHR, SHRM-CP

Experience

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  Gopher Resource

  Mar 2003 - Feb 2014

  Promoted to provide analytical leadership in the design, configuration, implementation, communication, and maintenance of HRIS modules and processes. Work with senior management to establish a strategic benefits program; manage leave-of-absence programs, ensure company compliance with provisions of ERISA and personnel records; administer benefits enrollment and programs. Resolve conflicts between employee and insurance carriers, coordinated health risk assessments to promote employee wellness. Serve as lead subject matter expert for HRIS application and company benefit design and program.• Led the Project Manager role ensuring the successful launch of HRIS application (UltiPro) and subsequent modules.• Structured and implemented the areas of training for change management of department leads and employees; including development of user guides.• Serve as the lead subject matter expert for HRIS applications. Have overall accountability for data integrity to include quality, accuracy, and usability of employee data and related interfaces with vendors.• Obtain bids upon renewal; confer with management regarding benefit costs, make recommendations as to employee/employer cost sharing.• Benchmark and recommend benefit programs to management by evaluating trends and developments in benefits offered within industry market.• Increased retirement program participation by 10% annually through continuous education and promotion of the program.• Participate in strategic planning for Health Care Reform and potential impacts and changes to current program design.• Manage and administered employee leave of absences, including but not limited to FMLA, maternity/paternity leave, military leave. Show less Promoted to provide support in a broad range of HR functions, including recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, employee relations, performance and compensation management, administering benefits, workers compensation administration, participate in disciplinary action meetings, participate in union contract negotiations, company representation during grievance and arbitration hearings, manage leave of absence programs and personnel records. Led the development and operations of the Human Resources department upon acquisition of second location in Tampa, FL.• Conduct, analyze, and communicate Performance Evaluations, 360 degree surveys, and employee engagement surveys.• Create and promote a workplace environment consistent with company core values, mission, and vision.• Negotiate, manage, and interpret multiple Collective Bargaining contracts with Teamsters Local 120.• Participate in union contract negotiations, all aspects of union grievances from resolving grievances to building and representing cases on behalf of the Company to joint committee to bringing cases to arbitration.• Create and manage job descriptions by working with department managers identifying their needs and requirements in conjunction with interviewing incumbents to identify skills and responsibilities.• Full-scope recruitment efforts; partner with department leaders with efforts attracting and retaining talent.• Reduce plant operation turnover by 17% through effective onboarding practices; improving pre-employment testing and new hire orientation program.• Led the success of increasing retirement plan participation by 10% in a one-year period. • Led the strategic efforts, planning, and implementation of Health Care Reform and Affordable Care Act.• Develop, implement, train, and manage the Affirmative Action Program (AAP).• Wrote employee handbook covering all federal and state laws, Affirmative Action Plan, disciplinary procedures, core values, code of conduct and policies/procedures. Show less Hired to provide support in various areas of human resources, including processing of union and non-union weekly and biweekly payroll.• Payroll processing for union and non-union; verify entry of new hires, changes of employment status, hours and overtime for hourly employees and process weekly payroll.• Reconcile each payroll and run reports before processing payroll.• Maintain attendance for hourly employees; verifying absent points and assigning warning slips.• Process required paperwork with the union; union dues and disciplinary warnings.• Create and maintain employee personnel records, including tracking system for vacation and sick leave.• Provide customer service to employees by answering questions regarding payroll, policies, procedures, and other HR related inquiries.• Assist with various audits; internal and external.• Provide support with special projects and company events.• Complete employment verifications and unemployment requests – completing required documents, submitting, tracking, filing, and participating in appeal hearings.• Ensure payroll deductions such as union dues, 401(k), and loans are entered and tracked in payroll with accuracy. Show less

  • Benefits/HRIS Manager

    Feb 2013 - Feb 2014

  • HR Generalist

    May 2004 - Feb 2013

  • HR/Payroll Coordinator

    Mar 2003 - May 2004
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  Asmodee North America

  Mar 2014 - Feb 2019

  Director of Human Resources

  Hired to develop the human resources department and provide the full spectrum of human resources support for a privately-held table-top game publisher and distributor. Manage the overall services, policies and programs of the department along with collaborating with executive-level to consult on organizational development and strategic planning. • Establish a functional human resources department; develop, design, and introduce policies and programs to the company. • Direct oversight of five staff members of the Human Resources and Operations team.• Design and manage the talent acquisition process including sourcing, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding to improve the candidate quality and experience. • Manage the full-scope of the performance management program that built performance accountability into all levels of the process.• Mentor and train the Human Resources staff and be a visible and knowledgeable resource for leaders and employees.• Serve as the primary point of contact and lead resource for employee relations, performance management, and corrective actions.• Participate in the successful acquisition of multiple creative studios nation-wide, resulting in rapid growth of the company from 80 employees in 2014 to 270 employees in 2018. • Coaching and counseling of executives, department leaders and employees to effectively resolve matters. • Maintained less than 4% annual voluntary turnover in an environment with continuous change. • Implemented new payroll procedures to streamline the entire payroll process. Show less

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  J.J. Taylor Companies, Inc.

  Jun 2019 - Jun 2022

  Director of Human Resources

  Reports to the President/General Manager as part of the senior leadership team. Proven leader in culture change and management. Thorough knowledge and experience with human resources philosophies, processes, and practices. Extensive experience with the recruitment life cycle. Understand the balance between human resource initiatives and day-to-day operations and organization goals. • Direct oversight of staff members of the Human Resources and Safety team.• Collaborate with executives and managers to build effective teams throughout the organization.• Oversee full scope recruitment process to ensure a structured and strategic process to identify diverse top talent.• Ensure a positive working environment is maintained and employee relations issues are resolved fairly, consistently, and in accordance with Company policies and procedures. • Champion initiatives to develop and measure company culture by utilizing effective change management communication. • Consult with legal counsel as needed to mitigate risk and strategically respond to employee relations and union matters that may have legal implications.• Oversee and actively participate in decisions related to compensation analysis, market wage surveys, and benefit program design/administration.• Work with Union Stewards and Business Agent to resolve union-related issues in a proactive manner. • Provide guidance with CBA interpretation. Participate in the grievance and arbitration process. • Collaborate with Labor Counsel in preparations for CBA negotiation; active participant in the Collective Bargaining process.• Work with leaders to develop strategic ideas and guidance to assure the company is providing new and creative ways to conduct business and HR related topics.• Collaborate with leadership team in the design and implementation of programs to drive employee development.• Consult with leadership team regarding employee performance, progressive discipline, and performance improvement plans. Show less

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  UNFI

  Jun 2022 - now

  Senior Human Resources Manager - Central Region