Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Other
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Timeline
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Elizabeth Castañeda

Santa Barbara,CA

Summary

Highly motivated and results-oriented Human Resource Director with over 15 years of experience in developing and implementing strategic plans and procedural improvements to support organizational growth. Proven ability to lead employees with exceptional stewardship, relationship-building, and management skills, incorporating attention to detail, analytical thinking, and multitasking with high integrity. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an emphasis on tact and diplomacy.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Human Resources Director

MarBorg Industries
12.2016 - Current
  • Conducted research and initiated a Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) benchmark analysis to negotiate a reduction in payroll service costs with the current provider, which resulted in annual savings of $10,000
  • Additional benefit modules were also included at no extra cost
  • Spearheaded the implementation of Electronic Data Integration (EDI) feeds for health insurance and 401(k) plans, resulting in administrative cost reductions, preserved data integrity, and streamlined operations through the elimination of manual entries
  • Strengthened employee benefit offerings without incurring additional costs by identifying the value of including voluntary plans, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Dependent Care Accounts (DCA) to our suite of benefits, resulting in pre-tax cost savings for employees
  • Developed and implemented procedures to leverage HRIS technology to convert the time-off request process to an electronic paperless system, which resulted in cost reductions and an alleviated administrative burden for supervisors and the payroll department
  • Instilled a culture of productivity and effectiveness by conducting training sessions, follow-up monitoring, and corrective guidance to encourage the application of best practices and regulatory protocols
  • Executed a strategic plan for analyzing and benchmarking brokers for health insurance plans and recommended changing to a fee-for-service structure with a new broker, which resulted in cost savings exceeding $50,000
  • Authored and implemented a payroll training guide for management, ensuring standardization of payroll processing procedures with respect to industry standards while maintaining compliance with all legal requirements
  • Administered the leave of absence program while consistently monitoring cases and thoroughly documenting all leaves of absences in accordance with federal and state law and established company procedures
  • Initiated and coordinated all activities in support of employee interactive processes, light duty, and return-to-work programs
  • Managed employee benefits such as vacation, sick leave, 401(k), medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and voluntary plans
  • Conducted a cost analysis and arranged and coordinated onsite physicals with a medical provider for employees with commercial licenses
  • This resulted in a 50% reduction in company costs per employee for onsite medical screenings, in addition to added convenience for employees
  • Managed and ensured compliance with all existing governmental labor laws and government reporting requirements, including any related to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Department of Labor, Workers Compensation, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), etc
  • Transitioned the company to a self-insured medical plan and low premium rates for dependents while maintaining no cost for employees
  • Ensured legal compliance throughout human resources management and nurtured a positive working environment by being transparent and upholding high standards of ethical integrity and strong business acumen
  • Collaborated closely with the Chief Financial Officer to oversee payroll, 401(k), and general company accounting operations
  • Maintained knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law
  • Applied this knowledge to communicate changes in policy, practice, and resources to senior leadership
  • Implemented a wage garnishment lien service that was fully integrated with our payroll service provider to streamline internal administrative processing
  • Introduced and implemented a structured responsibility assignment matrix (RACI) for the Human Resources and Safety Department to ensure efficiency in workflow processes, eliminate duplication of efforts, and identify training gaps and opportunities for career progression
  • Coordinated and promoted onsite vaccination clinics to encourage employee health and wellness
  • Provided consultation to managers and the executive team in a variety of HR-related areas, including organizational development, performance management, recruitment, retention, and compensation administration
  • As a member of the fiduciary committee, identified gaps in the benefit offerings of our 401(k) provider, which resulted in an evaluation and change that yielded over $1 million in service fee savings for employees
  • Implemented an Employee Recognition Program to acknowledge employees’ years of service and promotions
  • Instituted a system to track employee safety trainings and certifications by leveraging our HRIS system to track OSHA/Federal/State compliance and provide supervisory visibility
  • Managed and updated the HRIS-ADP system as it pertains to core HR responsibilities, recruitment, and benefits modules
  • Oversaw and facilitated compliance projects such as Employee Handbook revisions, I-9 Audit, EEOC reporting, California Pay Data reporting, and companywide policies

Human Resources Manager

MarBorg Industries
06.2006 - 11.2016
  • Administered all company benefit programs, including Health, FSA, and 401(k) enrollments
  • Oversaw the processing of transfers, promotions, retirements, and terminations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
  • Reduced company liability and expenses by analyzing and implementing a new vacation benefit accrual structure for new hires
  • Vetted and contracted a background screening company to eliminate risk and negligence in the hiring process
  • Oversaw talent acquisition strategies, including outreach and recruitment
  • Ensured that selection processes were performed in accordance with policies, procedures, and applicable employment laws
  • The organization experienced growth of 35%, expanding to over 300 employees
  • Planned, organized, and oversaw the payroll processing functions and activities of the company
  • Developed principles and techniques involved in payroll preparation, monitoring, and control
  • Identified areas in which the company was deficient in HR procedures and implemented solutions
  • Created and implemented a robust, company-wide safety program that was CAL OSHA/OSHA compliant while leveraging HRIS to track training records
  • The streamlined process resulted in improved compliance and efficiency
  • Managed the workers' compensation partially self-insured program and audits
  • Was responsible for day-to-day claim management and implemented quarterly claim reviews with the Broker of Record and workers' compensation carrier to ensure oversight of claims and minimize company costs
  • Implemented a professional development training program for management staff to oversee leaves
  • Investigated and coached management on how to resolve employee relations issues
  • Responded to inquiries regarding policies, updated procedures, and programs
  • Oversaw leave management functions, including administration oversight of statutory leave entitlement and the interactive process
  • Created a Return to Work program for workers' compensation claims
  • Created a new hire onboarding program in partnership with department supervisors and the safety department
  • Completed audits for Workers' Compensation, the 401(k) plan, and Liability Insurance
  • Provided communication within the organization to promote employee understanding of programs, policies, and objectives, as well as developing positive employee morale
  • Started the company's first employee newsletter
  • Was responsible for establishing, maintaining, and securing personnel records and employee benefits files
  • Coordinated staff training and professional development while establishing performance objectives
  • Monitored and evaluated employee performance
  • Oversaw the administration of wage and benefit plans, benefits billing, and payments
  • Reported required plan changes and made recommendations on voluntary plan changes to the executive committee and President

Education

Bachelors of Art - History

University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara

Human Resources Management Certificate -

University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara

Human Resources Management Certificate -

The George Washington University School of Business

Skills

  • Exit interviews
  • Human resources
  • Internal communications
  • Human resources operations
  • Workforce planning
  • New employee training
  • Training development
  • Retention strategies
  • Staff compensation
  • Leadership coaching
  • Leadership development
  • Training programs
  • Proficient in Microsoft Suite
  • Payroll management
  • Organizational development
  • Company organization
  • Grievance handling
  • Benefits programs
  • Compliance
  • Performance appraisals
  • Investigative oversight
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Talent acquisition
  • Team guidance
  • Succession planning
  • Employee relations
  • Payroll coordination
  • Labor law compliance
  • Labor negotiations
  • Compensation structuring
  • Recruitment and hiring
  • Labor relations
  • Employment record verification
  • Benefits administration
  • HR Policy Development & Enforcement
  • Project and Program Management
  • Talent Acquisition & Retention

T

Other

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Human Resources Information Systems, ADP, Advanced fluency in speaking and writing English and Spanish, Beginner French, Santa Barbara Human Resources Group, PHIRA, SHRM, SHRM-CP in progress, United Way Young Leaders Society- for over 10 years., Volunteered for United We Read, Free Lunch meals, Fun in the Sun summer program, Habitat for Humanity, Member of The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), Increased staffing by 65% to fill 150 incremental positions to support business growth., Drafted and implemented policies, procedures, and employee handbooks for +300 employees., Reduced company medical insurance premiums by 35% through negotiations and an improved benefit plans., Created and led the development of department specific safety training project, for 8 departments in collaboration with the safety department. Identified safety training gaps.

Languages

Spanish
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Human Resources Director

MarBorg Industries
12.2016 - Current

Human Resources Manager

MarBorg Industries
06.2006 - 11.2016

Bachelors of Art - History

University of California, Santa Barbara

Human Resources Management Certificate -

University of California, Santa Barbara

Human Resources Management Certificate -

The George Washington University School of Business

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Elizabeth Castañeda