Kaelen LaGrasse
St. Charles,IL
Summary
Experienced HR Manager with 15+ years of partnering with leaders to manage talent, employee relations, organizational development, performance, recruiting, compliance, and workforce initiatives. Skilled at translating business needs into practical people strategies, navigating complex employee matters, and leading organizational change. Recognized for sound judgment, strong relationship-building, and a solutions-oriented approach.
Overview
1
1
Language
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Human Resources Manager
Cadrex Manufacturing Technologies
07.2024 - Current
- Led regional HR operations across manufacturing sites and corporate platform, aligning workforce practices with business priorities.
- Partnered with plant leaders and senior executives to resolve employee relations issues and maintain consistent policy application.
- Managed performance review cycles, coaching managers on feedback, documentation, and corrective action.
- Partnered with plant leaders to resolve employee relations issues and maintain consistent policy application.
- Streamlined HR processes for increased efficiency and improved organizational performance.
- Directed benefits administration, leave programs, and employee support across assigned locations.
- Supported organizational changes through workforce planning, staffing analysis, and leadership guidance.
- Implemented successful change management initiatives, supporting employees during organizational transitions.
- Structured compensation and benefits according to market conditions and budget demands.
- Created open lines of communication between HR department and employees for timely resolution of issues or concerns.
- Maintained company compliance with local, state, and federal laws, in addition to established organizational standards.
Human Resources Manager
Cadrex Manufacturing Technologies (previously Elite Manufacturing Technologies)
05.2019 - Current
- Managed full-cycle recruitment for production, engineering, and support roles using ATS workflows and structured interview processes.
- Administered onboarding, orientation, and training programs to accelerate integration and support workforce retention.
- Oversaw performance management, coaching managers on documentation, feedback, and corrective action procedures.
- Directed employee relations, resolving conflicts and ensuring consistent application of policies across manufacturing operations.
- Maintained payroll and benefits for employees in various locations, minimizing financial discrepancies through detailed program management.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to align HR initiatives with overall business goals and objectives.
- Organized and led staff orientation programs and training to promote collaboration.
- Implemented customized performance management systems, providing ongoing feedback and development opportunities for employees.
Human Resources Manager
Two Men and a Truck
02.2017 - 05.2019
- Oversaw recruiting and onboarding for a multi-unit franchise using multiple recruiting platforms and communication mediums, increasing candidate pipeline quality.
- Managed payroll for all franchise units, implementing a new payroll system to ensure 100% accuracy and timely payments.
- Managed payroll for all franchise units, implementing a new payroll system to ensure 100% accuracy and timely payment.
- Managed employee discipline, terminations, unemployment claims, and grievances to uphold company policies and protect interests.
- Developed initiatives to enhance company culture focused on employee satisfaction and customer service, contributing to higher retention rates.
Human Resources Manager
Hilton Indian Lakes Resort
03.2015 - 02.2017
- Partnered with leadership to maintain compliance with employment laws, audits, and internal HR policies.
- Evaluated compensation, benefits, and leave administration to support employee needs and organizational consistency.
- Streamlined HR processes, improving record accuracy, reporting reliability, and response times for employee requests.
- Processed bi-weekly payroll for 300 salaried and hourly associates, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Coached managers on employee evaluations, goal-setting, employee relations, and performance recognition to improve productivity.
- Handled terminations, grievances, and other difficult situations in a fair and respectful manner, collaborating with legal counsel and managers.
- Developed job profiles and sourced candidates through various job boards; selected, interviewed, and hired employees in collaboration with department managers, maintaining SOPs and training programs to ensure associate productivity and effectiveness.
- Administered benefit communications and enrollment for all eligible associates, increasing benefits participation.
- Handled claim reporting procedures for all workers comp and general liability claims in an accurate and timely manner.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Management
Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL05-2017
Skills
- Employee relations
- HR policies and procedures
- Change management
- Workforce planning
- Compensation strategy
- Payroll management
- Benefits administration
- Leave administration
- HR analytics
- Training development
- Claims processing
- Claims management
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Regional Human Resources Manager
Cadrex Manufacturing Technologies
07.2024 - Current
Human Resources Manager
Cadrex Manufacturing Technologies (previously Elite Manufacturing Technologies)
05.2019 - Current
Human Resources Manager
Two Men and a Truck
02.2017 - 05.2019
Human Resources Manager
Hilton Indian Lakes Resort
03.2015 - 02.2017
Bachelor of Science - Human Resources Management
Roosevelt University