JEANNEAN THOMAS
Florence,KY
Summary
Senior human resources business partner with 20+ years leading employee relations, labor relations, workforce planning, and organizational development across manufacturing, distribution, logistics, and corporate settings. Partner with executive leaders on investigations, performance management, coaching, compliance, and change initiatives that support engagement, retention, and business goals.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Resources Business Partner
Cremer North America
Cincinnati, OH
07.2024 - Current
- Collaborated with senior leadership to align HR strategies with organizational goals. to align HR strategies with organizational and operational objectives.
- Advise leaders on performance management, corrective actions, employee development, and organizational effectiveness.
- Directed employee relations initiatives to address workplace issues and foster a positive culture. investigations involving harassment, discrimination, policy violations, workplace conflicts, and performance concerns.
- Collaborated with legal counsel on employment matters, preparing position statements for EEOC investigations to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
- Develop and deliver leadership and employee training programs focused on compliance, performance, and workplace culture.
- Enhance onboarding processes and new hire integration programs to improve employee experience and accelerate productivity.
- Conducted exit interviews to gather feedback from departing employees about workplace experiences.
- Facilitated team-building initiatives and cross-functional collaboration, strengthening workplace relationships and enhancing organizational effectiveness.
Director, Employee & Labor Relations
Coca-Cola Consolidated
Louisville, KY
07.2023 - 06.2024
- Directed employee and labor relations strategies across multiple operational facilities.
- Advised leadership on policy interpretation, employee relations challenges, and performance management strategies to ensure informed decision-making.
- Led union and non-union investigations involving employee complaints, compliance concerns, and workplace misconduct.
- Facilitated employee engagement sessions and collaborated with operational leaders to implement action plans that improved workplace culture.
- Conducted stay and exit interviews, identifying trends and recommending retention strategies.
- Maintained employee relations case management systems and ensured accurate reporting and documentation.
- Supported organizational initiatives, policy rollouts, leadership development efforts, and workforce engagement programs.
- Reviewed policies and developed proactive risk mitigation strategies to enhance compliance across the organization.
Employee Relations Business Partner
Coca-Cola Consolidated
Louisville, KY
03.2021 - 07.2023
- Managed employee relations matters across multiple locations, ensuring compliance with company policies and employment regulations to mitigate risk.
- Partnered with leadership teams to address performance concerns, conflict resolution, and organizational change initiatives.
- Conducted workplace investigations and provided recommendations for appropriate corrective actions.
- Liaised between leadership and employees to resolve concerns, fostering trust and maintaining productive working relationships.
- Collaborated with key stakeholders to improve employee engagement, strengthen culture, and support retention efforts.
- Led diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to enhance employee experience and cultivate a positive workplace culture.
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
AAA Club Alliance
Lexington, KY
05.2019 - 03.2021
- Aligned workforce strategies with business objectives through partnership with operational leadership.
- Managed employee relations matters, investigations, performance management, and disciplinary processes.
- Provided coaching and guidance to leaders regarding employment practices and HR policies.
- Supported organizational change efforts and drove continuous improvement initiatives.
- Conducted employee engagement initiatives and exit interviews to pinpoint organizational improvement opportunities.
- Utilized Workday to maintain workforce data and reporting accuracy.
Human Resources Director
Laurel Grocery Company
London, KY
03.2015 - 05.2019
- Directed all HR functions including recruiting, employee relations, benefits administration, training, performance management, and compliance.
- Partnered with leadership to develop employee retention, development, and succession planning strategies.
- Developed and administered HR policies and employee programs that aligned with organizational objectives and enhanced workforce effectiveness.
- Led employee engagement initiatives and facilitated company-wide communications through town hall meetings and organizational updates to foster transparency and connection.
- Managed employee benefits programs and open enrollment processes while promoting wellness initiatives that supported employee well-being.
- Created and implemented an updated employee handbook that improved accessibility and administrative efficiency.
Human Resources Manager
SourceHOV
London, KY
04.2000 - 11.2014
- Managed full-cycle HR operations for a workforce of over 400 employees, enhancing support for federal and commercial contracts.
- Led recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, workers' compensation, leave administration, and compliance initiatives.
- Advised leadership on employment law, policy interpretation, corrective actions, and performance management.
- Administered affirmative action programs, EEO reporting, and HR audits, ensuring compliance and enhancing security clearance processing.
- Managed employee investigations, unemployment claims, and employee relations matters.
- Developed and delivered management training programs covering leadership, workplace harassment prevention, interviewing skills, and performance management.
- Supported organizational restructuring and workforce planning, facilitating successful acquisitions and change management initiatives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications & Public Relations
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KentuckySkills
- Performance management
- Employee conflict resolution
- Labor relations
- Employee engagement
- Talent management
- Organizational development
- Change management
- Workforce planning
- Succession planning
- Training and development
- HR analytics
- HRIS Systems (ADP, Workday)
- Strategic human resources leadership
- Policy compliance
- Conflict resolution
- Team development
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- More than 20 years of progressive Human Resources leadership experience.
- Extensive background in employee and labor relations, investigations, compliance, and organizational effectiveness.
- Proven partner to executive leadership teams in manufacturing, distribution, and corporate environments.
- Experienced in EEOC response management, corrective action administration, workforce planning, and employee engagement strategies.
- Recognized for building strong workplace cultures while balancing employee advocacy and business objectives.
Timeline
Human Resources Business Partner
Cremer North America
07.2024 - Current
Director, Employee & Labor Relations
Coca-Cola Consolidated
07.2023 - 06.2024
Employee Relations Business Partner
Coca-Cola Consolidated
03.2021 - 07.2023
Senior Human Resources Business Partner
AAA Club Alliance
05.2019 - 03.2021
Human Resources Director
Laurel Grocery Company
03.2015 - 05.2019
Human Resources Manager
SourceHOV
04.2000 - 11.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Communications & Public Relations
Eastern Kentucky University