Amber Santana
Summary
Accomplished professional with several years of experience leading human resources operations and organizational planning. Well-versed in employment laws, performance appraisals, salary structure and benefits program management. Seasoned expert at protecting company interests and building successful office culture to promote employee retention and performance.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Consulting Service
Star Laundry Services - Interim VP of HR
Paterson, NJ
05.2024 - Current
HR Consulting
BSM Facility Services - Director People Officer
Brooklyn, NY
02.2024 - 05.2024
Consulting Serives -
Rent for Event - Director of Human Resources
Los Angeles, CA
07.2023 - 11.2023
HR Consulting Services
Cater To You - HR Director
New York, NY
03.2023 - 06.2023
Human Resources Senior Vice President
AFH Holding and Advisory
04.2022 - 03.2023
- Regularly updated HR databases to reflect employee information, changes in benefits and other details.
- Worked with department managers to assess needs.
- Facilitated delivery of HR services by establishing and maintaining positive relationships with teams and leadership across organization.
- Recruited and trained new employees to manage overall talent acquisition.
- Organized and maintained records to facilitate programs, events and activities.
- Developed hiring and recruitment policies to drive transparent and fair hiring process for selecting candidates on basis of merit and relevance with job.
- Developed job descriptions using targeted keywords and published job openings on company website and job boards.
- Met with current and leaving employees to conduct surveys and determine areas in need of improvement.
- Supported top talent identification processes by interviewing candidates and executing onboarding, orientation and benefits processes.
- Supervised HR Department employees by directing activities and monitoring performance.
- Created comprehensive orientation program to acquaint new employees with company programs, guidelines, policies and procedures.
- Designed employee performance evaluation process and merit program.
- Worked with HR department to devise and update policies as needed for corporate accountability and workplace health.
- Devised and executed employee development, performance oversight, compensation and benefits programs.
- Researched, identified and maintained knowledge of labor regulations, legal requirements and government reporting regulations.
- Created succession plans and promotion paths for staff to boost passion for reaching goals and objectives of organization.
- Complied with local, state and federal laws and established organizational standards.
- Directed process of organizational planning by evaluating company-wide structure, job design and manpower forecasting.
- Guided startup and management of HR operations, systems and programs for new location within company.
- Created compensation and benefits structures to align with market conditions and budget demands.
- Launched EEOC and Affirmative Action investigations and resolved employee complaints.
- Partnered with stakeholders to strategize and execute best-in-class hiring practices.
- Managed employee benefits, workers' compensation, health and pension programs and 401K plans.
- Reviewed payroll processing systems to verify accuracy of salaries, benefits, garnishments, taxes and other deductions.
- Prepared and maintained accurate records and reports of payroll transactions.
Human Resources Director
Interport Maintenance
Newark , NJ
02.2021 - 02.2022
- Developed and implemented human resources policies and procedures.
- Provided guidance on complex labor issues including discrimination, harassment, disability accommodations, leaves of absence.
- Served as a point of contact for employees seeking advice or assistance related to HR matters.
- Provided advice on career development opportunities within the organization.
- Conducted exit interviews with departing employees to identify areas of improvement in the organization's HR management system.
- Reviewed employee benefits packages and designed programs to maximize employee satisfaction with compensation plans.
- Monitored compliance with federal and state regulations regarding employment standards such as minimum wage requirements.
- Assisted managers in resolving conflicts between team members by providing mediation services.
- Provided support during labor disputes by representing the organization at hearings or meetings with unions or government agencies.
- Developed and implemented human resources policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Managed recruitment, selection, onboarding and training processes for new employees.
- Created compensation and benefits structures to align with market conditions and budget demands.
Contract HR Director
JCMS
Mercerville, NJ
06.2020 - 06.2021
- Maintained personnel records according to federal and state guidelines while ensuring confidentiality of information.
- Researched applicable employment laws and regulations to ensure best practices were followed in areas such as wage and hour law, equal opportunity employment, harassment prevention.
- Provided guidance on employee benefits plan design, administration, compliance, and communication.
- Implemented diversity initiatives designed to promote an inclusive work environment where everyone is respected regardless of race, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation.
- Managed payroll processing activities including timesheets, garnishments, tax withholding calculations.
- Reviewed job descriptions for accuracy and relevance to ensure legal compliance.
Human Resources Director
Omega Pharmacy Group
Cranbury, NJ
06.2019 - 02.2020
- Built and formalized the Human Resource department for a start-up company
- Successfully sourced talent nationwide
- Managed and optimized organization and space planning
- Managed performance management cycle
- Conducted orientation sessions, provided developmental support, and delivered training programs to facilitate new hires' success and foster career growth.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations.
- Led the development and execution of associate compensation plans.
- Developed positive employee relationships
- Managed various aspects of the HR system including payroll management and employee benefits administration.
- Participated in consultations and offered coaching support to the Management team.
USA Human Resources Director
RBF International
Edison, NJ
11.2017 - 06.2019
- Contributed significantly to the growth and development of the organization, overseeing its expansion from no staff members to more than 100 across 16 offices throughout the country.
- Partnered closely with top executives to establish and operationalize a company-wide strategic roadmap.
- Handle end-to-end recruitment process for new hires.
- Managed disability and worker's compensation claims
- Closely collaborated with upper management to address and resolve a wide range of employee relations issues, delivering efficient solutions in compliance with company policies.
- Established and enforced a comprehensive 90-day evaluation system
- Achieved improved processes and increased effectiveness through annual review management.
- Enhanced payroll systems with the integration of HRIS system for efficient time and attendance tracking.
- Rewrote Employee Manual to incorporate Policies & Procedures
- Oversaw the execution and management of both weekly and semi-monthly payrolls using ADP and Viventium.
- Managed vendor agreements and successfully negotiated Union contracts.
- Managed procurement and inventory of office supplies, as well as computer equipment for 16 locations.
- Responsibly guided and directed a group of 5 team members
- Sorted and evaluated job applications, recommending top candidates for key positions.
- Assisted in enhancing the effectiveness of appraisal, counseling, and performance optimization techniques for increased workforce satisfaction and productivity
- Revamped H-1B, J-1 Visas and Green Card filing procedures while collaborating closely with immigration attorneys and labor relations team
HR / Chief Clerk
City of Newark - Office of the Mayor
Newark, NJ
01.2013 - 10.2017
- Successfully organized and directed clerical operations for the mayor’s office encompassing diverse departments including Mayor's Office, Law Department, and Affirmative Action, Public Defenders and Municipal Courts.
- Organized the daily operations of administrative staff in the mayor’s office.
- Created a comprehensive budget proposal for the mayor's office, showcasing the renewal of Union Contract to be presented at the Municipal Council meetings.
- Took charge of on-boarding all newly hired staff members
- Devised effective plan to reach out and connect with Latinx business owners
- Drove successful fundraising efforts by managing events targeting the Latino Business community in support of the mayor's campaign
- Managed call time database for voter registrations
- Successfully directed and supervised Northward Office operations for the City of Newark, NJ.
Business HR Manager
Marlton Pike Foods
Camden , NJ
05.2008 - 12.2012
Education
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice -
Kaplan University
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Benefits programs
- Workers Compensation
- Staff Supervision
- Recordkeeping
- Legal Compliance
- Performance Evaluation
- Onboarding and Orientation
- Employee Relations
- Human Resources Management
- Compensation Structuring
- Talent Acquisition
- Training programs
- Job Analysis
- Policy Implementation
Certification
- SHRM
- State of NJ Civil Service Commissions Certification - HR / Chief Clerk
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
English
Native/ Bilingual
Affiliations
- Volunteer of America - English tutor
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Consulting Service
Star Laundry Services - Interim VP of HR
05.2024 - Current
HR Consulting
BSM Facility Services - Director People Officer
02.2024 - 05.2024
Consulting Serives -
Rent for Event - Director of Human Resources
07.2023 - 11.2023
HR Consulting Services
Cater To You - HR Director
03.2023 - 06.2023
Human Resources Senior Vice President
AFH Holding and Advisory
04.2022 - 03.2023
Human Resources Director
Interport Maintenance
02.2021 - 02.2022
Contract HR Director
JCMS
06.2020 - 06.2021
Human Resources Director
Omega Pharmacy Group
06.2019 - 02.2020
USA Human Resources Director
RBF International
11.2017 - 06.2019
HR / Chief Clerk
City of Newark - Office of the Mayor
01.2013 - 10.2017
Business HR Manager
Marlton Pike Foods
05.2008 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice -
Kaplan University
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