Denise Sutherland
Massillon,OH
Summary
HR professional specializing in employee relations, compensation, benefits, and succession planning. Experience includes building HR policies, supporting managers on disciplinary actions, and aligning staffing plans with business needs. Combines analytical judgment with hands-on support for compliance, talent development, and employee experience.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Director
Ferrero USA
North Canton, Ohio
03.2022 - Current
- Oversaw recruitment, onboarding, and succession planning for critical roles.
- Managed employee relations, investigations, and corrective action processes.
- Counseled managers on disciplinary actions.
- Developed and implemented human resources policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Implemented strategies aimed at improving employee retention rates.
- Assisted in the preparation of annual budgets related to staffing needs.
Manager Human Resources- Manufacturing & Supply Chain
TimkenSteel Corporation
Canton, Ohio
01.2017 - 02.2022
- Partnered with executive VP and senior business leaders in manufacturing and supply chain to develop and execute HR strategies, including succession planning, talent development, performance management, and organizational design, supporting approximately 350 people.
- Facilitated production ramp-up hiring for local plants to align the workforce with increased volume requirements.
- Led succession planning and development discussions to support long-term strategic plans.
- Designed and implemented new supervisor pay structure, enhancing retention, attraction, and employee morale.
- Oversaw and developed one direct report locally and two indirect reports at outlying plants, ensuring consistent application of policies and procedures.
- Publicly traded specialty steel bar manufacturer with approximately 2500 employees; formed following the July 2014 split from Timken Company.
Organizational Advancement Manager (HR Manager)
TimkenSteel Corporation
Canton, Ohio
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Achieved $50 million in cost savings by collaborating with business leaders on workforce reductions and restructuring.
- Partnered with executives and senior business leaders across finance, general services, sales, engineering, legal, and HR to develop and execute HR strategies, including succession planning, talent development, performance management, and organizational design for about 300 employees.
- Created and implemented recruiting and retention strategies for key roles in partnership with staffing team.
- Coordinated with global HR leads in China, Europe, and Mexico to ensure consistent application of corporate policies and directives.
- Approved employee transactions to ensure data accuracy in the HCM system. of all employee transactions to protect the accuracy of data in the HCM system.
- Publicly traded specialty steel bar manufacturer with about 2,500 employees, formed after a split from Timken Company in July 2014.
Manager- Health Plan Services
The Timken Company
Canton, Ohio
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Managed administration, customer service, and compliance for all U.S. health and welfare plans. Developed 8 direct reports to support superior service for 20,000 active associates and retirees.
- Supported implementation and execution of new benefits system configuration after company separation. Collaborated with internal stakeholders and plan administrators to ensure smooth transition within one-year deadline.
- Oversaw administrative plan changes required by law and plan design updates. Interpreted plan language to resolve appeals and grievances accurately while partnering with 16 administrators to uphold compliance with union contracts, ERISA, and governing plan documents.
- Directed administration, customer service, and compliance for all U.S. health and welfare plans. Built 8 direct reports into capable support staff serving 20,000 active associates and retirees.
- Led implementation and execution of new benefits system configuration following company separation. Drove completion within one-year aggressive deadline through close partnership with internal stakeholders and plan administrators for seamless employee transition.
- Guided administrative plan changes driven by law or plan design updates. Applied plan language to resolve appeals and grievances accurately. Coordinated with 16 administrators to uphold compliance with union contracts, ERISA, and governing plan documents.
- Strengthened administration, customer service, and compliance for all U.S. health and welfare plans. Elevated eight direct reports to deliver responsive support for 20,000 active associates and retirees.
- Delivered successful implementation and execution of new benefits system configuration during company separation. Completed transition within a one-year aggressive deadline through close coordination with internal stakeholders and plan administrators.
- Executed compliant administrative plan changes aligned with legal and plan design updates. Resolved appeals and grievances through precise interpretation of plan language while ensuring compliance with union contracts, ERISA, and governing plan documents in coordination with 16 administrators.
Principal Total Rewards Compensation Analyst
The Timken Company
Canton, Ohio
01.2008 - 01.2012
- Administered global merit and variable pay plans, managing system updates, communications, and accruals to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Recommended and implemented updates to U.S. salaried wage structures, overseeing integration with international structures to enhance alignment.
- Coordinated annual wage increase requests across global plants, ensuring timely and compliant execution of compensation adjustments.
- Led job evaluation process for U.S. salaried associates.
- Developed and delivered communication and training plans for executive education on executive compensation plan components.
- Supported an F-500 global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and steel with about 26,000 employees.
Principal Associate Services Analyst
The Timken Company
Canton, Ohio
01.2005 - 01.2007
- F-500 global manufacturer of highly-engineered bearings and steel with approximately 26,000 employees.
- Supported compliance work for F-500 global manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and steel with approximately 26,000 employees.
- Coordinated plan document restatements and amendments with outside counsel while representing Timken in Ohio unemployment hearings, safeguarding the company's interests.
- Prepared tax filings and annual summary reports for Timken’s 24 qualified retirement and welfare plans.
- Managed and disseminated 47 revisions of employee handbooks and summary plan descriptions, facilitating clear communication of policies to employees.
- Assisted health care and pension teams in compliance reviews, ensuring adherence to regulations and efficient administrative processes.
Shared Services Staff
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Akron, Ohio
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Managed corporate collections for $5.5 million national account portfolio.
- Initiated proactive outreach with internal and external contacts to resolve discrepancies, reducing past due accounts by 92%.
- Implemented process improvements to mitigate future issues with high-volume accounts.
- Collaborated with tire manufacturer supporting diverse sectors including automobiles, trucks, race cars, airplanes, farm equipment, and earth-mover machinery.
Employee Benefits Client Administrator
Key Bank, NA
Brooklyn, Ohio
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Counseled plan sponsors on terms and constraints of 401(k) plans, ensuring compliance and qualified status
- Interpreted plan documents and coordinated issue resolutions with internal resources to enhance plan administration
- Monitored compliance with internal policies and IRS guidelines
- Trained new hires on departmental systems and procedures to facilitate smooth onboarding and team integration
- Ohio based banking institution
Employee Benefits Research Analyst
Key Bank, NA
Brooklyn, Ohio
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Reconciled 35 401(k) plans daily, ensuring accurate postings of contributions and distributions and timely preparation of statements
- Recognized for identifying critical errors, preventing significant impacts for multiple clients
- Standardized processing, reducing processing time by up to 80% and improving overall efficiency
- Achieved QKA and QPA designations. Only 10% of the department accomplished
- Ohio based banking institution
Education
MBA - HR
Ashland University
Ashland, OhioB.S. - Accounting
The University of Akron
Akron, OhioSkills
- Succession planning
- Talent acquisition
- Performance management
- Employee relations
- HR policy development
- Compensation management
- Benefits administration
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and United Way
Timeline
HR Director
Ferrero USA
03.2022 - Current
Manager Human Resources- Manufacturing & Supply Chain
TimkenSteel Corporation
01.2017 - 02.2022
Organizational Advancement Manager (HR Manager)
TimkenSteel Corporation
01.2014 - 01.2016
Manager- Health Plan Services
The Timken Company
01.2012 - 01.2014
Principal Total Rewards Compensation Analyst
The Timken Company
01.2008 - 01.2012
Principal Associate Services Analyst
The Timken Company
01.2005 - 01.2007
Shared Services Staff
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
01.2003 - 01.2005
Employee Benefits Client Administrator
Key Bank, NA
01.2001 - 01.2003
Employee Benefits Research Analyst
Key Bank, NA
01.1999 - 01.2001
MBA - HR
Ashland University
B.S. - Accounting
The University of Akron