Heather Staples
Summary
Strategic HR leader with 30+ years of experience aligning HR strategies with business goals across diverse industries, including Aerospace, Semiconductor, Health Tech, and Industrial Automation. Proven success in driving organizational transformation, managing global HR operations, and leading talent management programs that enhance performance and engagement. Experienced in acquisitions, divestment, and cross-cultural HR management, with a strong track record in improving operational efficiencies, reducing costs, and advancing DEI initiatives. Skilled in executive coaching, board strategies, organizational design, and fostering high-performance cultures.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
VP, GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES
ISC2
Remote
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Led the development and execution of a global HR strategy across all functions, overseeing a $2M budget, and implementing an HRBP and COE structure to drive organizational effectiveness.
- Spearheaded the company's global expansion, successfully increasing the operational footprint from 3 to 7 countries.
- Coached and mentored executives on performance and leadership development, collaborating with external coaches and internal resources to design and implement tailored leadership programs.
- Facilitated Gallup Strengths discovery sessions with senior leadership, fostering a culture of self-awareness and strategic alignment across the executive team.
- Drove organizational effectiveness by providing strategic leadership in the creation of long-term goals, company policies, and measurable outcomes, informed by employee engagement data (Q12+).
- Managed comprehensive due diligence for all transformational projects, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, and regulatory requirements.
- Negotiated a 5% reduction in U.S. Benefits, costs beyond broker recommendations, and streamlining vendor relationships to reinvest savings into enhanced employee benefits.
- Championed a performance-driven culture by developing and implementing an HR dashboard to track team performance, leading to a 31% reduction in time-to-fill (from 90+ days to 62 days) within 12 months.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, HR AMERICAS
Celestica LLC
Remote
01.2018 - 01.2023
- Partnered with a $3B client group, overseeing HR for 5,000 employees across 21 sites in Aerospace, Semiconductor, Health Tech, and Industrial & Smart Energy, aligning HR strategies with business goals.
- Led integration activities for 3 acquisitions and drove organizational transformation projects, including executive assessments and leadership coaching to strengthen leadership alignment.
- Coached senior leaders using Gallup Strengths and facilitated team-building sessions, driving high-performance cultures across the organization.
- Managed executive selection, onboarding, and assimilation, ensuring seamless leadership integration.
- Created a management operating system to address recruitment challenges, streamlining processes and improving the talent acquisition cycle.
- Led OFCCP compliance efforts, including COVID-related policies, ensuring regulatory adherence.
- Designed and implemented an automated Operations Incentive Plan in SuccessFactors, reducing administrative costs by 80%.
DIRECTOR HR
GKN Aerospace, ACS
Tallassee, USA
01.2016 - 09.2018
- Transformed HR from an administrative function to a trusted advisor and business partner within the Composite Aerostructures segment, managing 5 facilities and 1,200 employees.
- Improved employee engagement by driving Gallup12 survey initiatives and action plans in partnership with leadership.
- Led the first site to achieve diversity goals for leadership and operations.
- Developed a partnership with the State of Alabama (AIDT) to create a state-funded pre-training program, improving retention and accelerating hires.
- Contributed to the launch of a new Florida site and the creation of the 'Pathfinder Program' for manufacturing engineers to gain operational and leadership experience.
- Increased the offer acceptance ratio from 20% to 83% at Auburn University.
- Guided the implementation of a talent management process, including session planning, organizational design, and internal promotion paths.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GLOBAL HR
Gerber Technology, Inc
Tolland, USA
01.2010 - 01.2016
- Led HR for a $200M industrial automation manufacturer, overseeing 8 North American, 7 Asian, and 10 EMEA sites with 2,000 employees.
- Spearheaded HR efforts for acquisitions and divestment, including the venture capital buyout of Gerber and the sale of Spandex, managing work councils, union negotiations, and the splitting of legal entities (UK, FR, IT, BE).
- Developed and implemented a back-office transformation, consolidating 10 countries into an EMEA Shared Service Center in Porto, Portugal, resulting in $4M USD in manpower cost savings.
- Managed HR for plant closures, including union negotiations for the migration of manufacturing operations from Denmark to China.
- Negotiated vendor contracts for background checks, ATS, benefits enrollment, and ACA compliance, reducing system-related spending by $100K.
- Directed global recruitment teams across North America, Europe, and Asia, launching a university relations program and redefined internship program to build a pipeline for entry-level engineering talent.
- Sponsored talent assessments and succession planning to ensure a strong leadership pipeline.
DIRECTOR EMEA HR
Gerber Technology, Inc
Zaventem, Belgium
01.2004 - 01.2010
- Led the creation of a shared HR model across 17 countries, managing 850 employees and serving as a strategic business partner and executive coach to senior leadership teams.
- Drove human capital due diligence for acquisitions, geographical expansions, and divestment, overseeing transition plans and integration activities.
- Recruited, onboarded, and inducted executive leadership and management staff, ensuring alignment with business goals and seamless transitions.
- Designed and implemented talent management programs, including career ladders and succession plans, to foster employee development and organizational growth.
- Harmonized contracts, benefits, and programs across divisions and implemented a one-legal-entity model per country, reducing legal, tax, and administrative costs.
- Managed restructuring, redundancy, and consultation processes across Europe, ensuring compliance with labor laws and minimizing operational disruption.
Various Roles
Gerber Technology
Tolland, CT
05.1999 - 08.2003
- Compensation Manager
- Compensation Specialist
- HR Specialist
Education
MBA - Finance and Global Business
Clark University
Worcester, MABS - International Business Management
UCONN
Skills
- Global HR Strategy & Organizational Alignment
- Executive Coaching & Succession Planning
- Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives
- Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures (Due Diligence & Integration)
- HR Technology & Systems (SuccessFactors, SAP, ADP, iCIMS, Bamboo)
- Workforce Planning & Organizational Design
- Employee Engagement & Culture Transformation
- Legal Compliance & Risk Management
- Recruitment Strategy & Talent Acquisition
- Compensation Benchmarking & Salary Structuring
- Benefits Program Design & Cost Optimization
Certification
- QP HR-Counsel
- Gallup Strengths Coach
- Certified in Cybersecurity
- GPHR (lapsed)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
VP, GLOBAL HUMAN RESOURCES
ISC2
01.2023 - 01.2025
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, HR AMERICAS
Celestica LLC
01.2018 - 01.2023
DIRECTOR HR
GKN Aerospace, ACS
01.2016 - 09.2018
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GLOBAL HR
Gerber Technology, Inc
01.2010 - 01.2016
DIRECTOR EMEA HR
Gerber Technology, Inc
01.2004 - 01.2010
Various Roles
Gerber Technology
05.1999 - 08.2003
- QP HR-Counsel
- Gallup Strengths Coach
- Certified in Cybersecurity
- GPHR (lapsed)
MBA - Finance and Global Business
Clark University
BS - International Business Management
UCONN
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