Karen Wright
Northville
Summary
Human Resource and Operational Leader with experience in the Automotive, Aerospace and Professional services market. Proven ability to support organizational effectiveness by partnering with business units to provide professional expertise, service and solutions that result in greater alignment of people and organizational objectives.
Dynamic HR Manager with expertise in full cycle recruitment, HRIS management, and employee benefits administration. Proven track record of leading impactful projects that enhance organizational effectiveness and employee satisfaction.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Manager/Sr. Business Partner
Delta Precision Components
10.2024 - Current
- Automating processes and systems such as HRIS, ATS and Performance Management.
- Designed and managed the performance management system in Paycor.
- Full recruiting responsibilities. Recruits all positions from senior leadership to hourly team members.
- Automated non-exempt time and attendance and clock systems using Paycor HRIS system.
- Developed an apprenticeship program for skilled trades. Partner with local trade and 2 year colleges.
- Full responsibility for all employee benefits including broker and vendor selections.
- Created a Safety Committee and has prioritized safety for 3 manufacturing sites. Head of safety for the company.
- Responsible for all immigration matters for Delta team members.
- Manages three team member - HR, Facilities and EHS members.
- Responsible for all hiring and terminations.
- Member of the C-Suite management team, reporting data to investors.
- Won $55,000 of training grant funds for training and development from the Michigan Going Pro Talent Fund
- Aerospace & Defense Manufacturer
Senior HR Manager
Mobis North America
Plymouth
12.2022 - 10.2024
- Responsible for all executive HR decisions regarding policies, practices and strategies.
- Plan, lead and direct a department of 7 team members including human resources and general affairs departments.
- Partners with senior leadership to understand Mobis’s goals and strategy related to organizational design, talent management and retaining top talent.
- Full responsibility for all companywide health & welfare benefits administration which includes broker relations, benefit program selection, costing of benefit packages, open enrollment direction and team member counseling.
- Develops, designs and maintains yearly human resources and general affairs financial budgets including all areas of the department plus legal counsel.
- Collaborates with management team to plan and deliver employee training, develop and deliver leadership training. Ensures that all team members are given yearly compliance training following all current labor laws.
- Overseas all recruitment efforts to ensure that Mobis is effectively and efficiently sourcing and selecting the best candidates.
- Comprehensive reporting on the HR Department’s successes and downfalls. (KPI).
- Overseas all Mobis immigration initiatives in regards to company sponsorships of student visas, H1-B visas and green card selection committee.
- Cultivates a supportive, inclusive and positive work environment for optimal employee satisfaction and engagement.
- Successfully launched the Mobis succession plan which includes identifying key members as future leaders, individual development plans, and one-on-one coaching.
- Successfully developed the company’s compensation banding system.
- Team champion of new HRIS system – Paylocity, including payroll, performance management, benefit management, learning and development, benefits modules.
HR Manager/ Sr. HR Business Partner
CW Bearing USA
Northville
02.2016 - 01.2022
- Developed and implemented all HR policies and procedures; prepared and maintained the CW Bearing Associate and Safety Handbook for both corporate and manufacturing environments.
- Full responsibility for company health benefits administration which included benefit program selection, costing of benefit programs, full benefit package design, open enrollment, employee counseling and broker relations.
- Full responsibility for company benefits such as short term/long term disability, life insurance, spending accounts, 401K programs. Experience with strong broker/vendor relationships.
- Interfaced with various agencies such as Worker’s Compensation, Unemployment insurance, EEOC, etc.
- Conducted all recruitment efforts for all exempt, nonexempt and contract workers; Wrote and placed advertisements; worked with the hiring manager to screen and interview candidates; conducted reference checking; extended job offers; conducted new-employee orientations; monitored career-path program and employee relations counseling; conducted exit interviews.
- Implemented and annually updated the compensation program; Rewrote job descriptions as necessary; Researched and conducted annual salary surveys and designed the merit pool (salary budget); Analyzed compensation; monitored the performance evaluation program and revised as necessary.
- Designed, developed and maintained the Human Resources Information System (HRIS. ADP Workforce was the HRIS system where Employee Services, Payroll, Compensation and Benefit programs, Training and Development and Performance Management was maintained.
- Responsible for overseeing all payroll activities including time-keeping systems (Paylocity)
- Designed, developed and facilitated all management training for HR compliance training, coaching, leadership, performance management and legal matters.
- Managed and maintained all OSHA standards and practices. Head of the building Safety, Health and Continuity Management program. Partnered with the Plant Manager to ensure our facility was top notch in regard to maintaining a safe and comfortable work environment. Responsible for all health and safety training for manufacturing staff.
- Lead and managed the organizational effectiveness initiatives such as an automated Performance Management system, managed all Talent Development and Succession Planning that will enable the organization to achieve objectives.
- Researched, developed and implemented the Employee Reward and Recognition application for the company. Implemented the company Recognize Application which was an online reward and recognition program for the entire organization.
- Partnered with the Plant Manager on workforce planning and actions necessary to ensure proper staffing levels for production at all times. At one time, this included 3 shifts. Staffing also included Quality, R & D, Manufacturing Engineering and skilled machining positions.
- Key team member representing all Human Resource matters in regards to ISO (quality and environmental) certifications.
- Handled all immigration items for the company, including local and ex-pat visas and green cards.
- Designed and facilitated a cross-cultural training/mentoring system for our Chinese partners.
- Key contact for all HR related items in North America. Partnering with overseas HR centers in China, Germany, Mexico and Brazil to determine the best global strategies.
- Created and maintained the Human Resource and Facility yearly operating budget.
- Responsible for all training and development programs for both operational and manufacturing staff. Wrote and designed all State of Michigan Go Pro Talent training grants. Partnered with MMTC (Michigan Manufacturing Training Center) to bring training on-site and developed hands-on programs.
- Partnered with Schoolcraft College Mechatronics program. Developed a paid apprenticeship program to develop skilled workforce members.
- Created and maintained a work atmosphere, which fostered an “open door” policy that improved employee communication and job satisfaction. Responsible for all inclusion practices.
- Managed a small staff of 2 HR associates.
- Accomplished special projects such as the full facility build out, R & D Center build and design.
Senior HR Business Partner
Hayashi Telempu North America
Plymouth
05.2015 - 01.2016
- Directed all corporate training and organizational development activities for 1,000 associates in the Americas, including corporate and manufacturing team members.
- Conducted a needs assessment and analysis to identify new development needs and recommended training methods accordingly.
- Developed and created a succession planning system by working with management to identify future leaders, identifying gaps in leadership, and develops and implements plans to meet succession goals.
- Researched and purchased a Performance Management System (Halogen), creating all data in the system and will be the Super User for the Software.
- Worked with senior management to select and identify “successors” of key and critical positions. Designed plans for the development of the key players through a short team and long term plan.
- Provided corporate and culture coaching to senior leaders and work teams, lead feedback work streams, recommend development strategies at both an individual and group level.
- Conducted 360 feedback surveys for all leadership at HTNA.
- Designed an HTNA Onboarding Process and 90 Day Associate Plan.
- Developed a Cross Cultural Learning Program for Japanese and Non-Japanese associates.
Senior Human Resources Partner
Willis Towers Watson
Farmington Hills
05.2013 - 05.2015
- Planned, developed and implemented the regional human resource functions and performance.
- Worked closely with Corporate Human Resources in North America to standardize HR policies and procedures and improvement activities.
- Developed staffing strategies and implementation plans to identify talent within and outside the region. Identified appropriate and effective external sources for candidates for all levels within the company.
- Developed progressive and proactive compensation and incentive/rewards for effective performance.
- Identified training and development needs for the region; worked with the management team to develop job-specific training and career progression.
- Monitored and managed the performance evaluation system (WillAchieve) and assured that annual employee job performance assessments are effectively conducted. This included all areas (objectives and goal setting, actual assessment, follow-up). Provided coaching and consulting to the management team to ensure the process is conducted properly.
- Developed appropriate policies and procedures for effective management of our people resources.
- Ensured regional compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations.
- Managed other areas such as employee communication, employee safety and health and was responsible for our charitable activities in Michigan, including an annual golf outing which raises over $25,000 a year for the Willis Foundation.
- Mentored with the Employee Benefits Department to gain a full understanding of employee benefits from a broker and client viewpoint.
- Formally Willis of Michigan
Senior HR Business Partner
SiriusXM Radio, Inc.
Farmington Hills
05.2008 - 05.2013
- Maintained HRIS records and compiled reports from the database using BambooHR.
- Maintained the company organizational charts and employee directory.
- Managed comp and benefits administration which included claims resolution, filed EEO reports annually; maintained other HR records, reports, and logs to conform to corporate HR policies.
- Conducted recruitment effort for all exempt and non-exempt personnel.
- Responsible for the entire onboarding cycle for new employees including the new employee orientation and 90-day plan.
- Maintained office efficiency by planning and implementing office systems, layouts, construction and equipment procurement.
- Arranged travel schedules and reservations for executive management as needed, including extensive overseas reservations.
- Prepared confidential executive documents, reports and presentations. Maintained human resource budgets.
- Responsible for all local immigration activities coordinated with the corporate attorneys.
Senior HR Business Partner
Panasonic Automotive Systems America
04.2000 - 06.2003
- Coordinated all recruiting resources such as job boards, job fairs and external recruiting sources. Screened, interviewed and recommended prospective candidates for employment.
- Maintained records of personnel transactions such as onboarding/hiring, promotions, performance reviews, performance improvement plans and terminations.
- Developed a progressive and proactive compensation and benefits program to provide motivation, incentives and rewards for effective performance.
- Relocated Japanese Ex-Pat executives and Management trainees to the U.S.
- Conducted human resource roundtable meetings to receive feedback regarding company and job satisfaction.
- Handled all employee relations counseling, outplacement counseling and exit interviewing.
- Managed Panasonic’s HRIS system.
- Developed and implemented a corporate wide training and development program; managed a training budget of $500,000 a year.
- Counseled and coached professional staff in areas of performance management, recognition and motivation and personal competencies and performance goals.
- Functioned as an objective consultant to executive management with regard to organizational issues which impacted people including organizational structure, managing change, promotions, job titles, career and successional planning. Developed and implemented effective communication plans to ensure optimal organizational impact.
- Directed and lead the company employee satisfaction survey. Reported findings to the President and top executive staff with recommendations for improvement.
- Designed and maintained the employee rewards and recognition program.
- Leader and Administrator of the Matsushita Corporate Contributions program, yearly budget of $1 million.
- Created the Automotive group’s competency models by job description.
- Analyzed organizational/department structures, responsibilities, teamwork, business and operating procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business, International Business
Madonna University
Livonia, MichiganSkills
- Full cycle recruitment
- Full employee health and welfare benefit management
- Compensation and succession plan modeling
- Coaching and mentoring from C-level to internships
- Complete HRIS management including payroll, time management, performance management, learning & development, benefits enrollment modules
- Immigration management
Timeline
HR Manager/Sr. Business Partner
Delta Precision Components
10.2024 - Current
Senior HR Manager
Mobis North America
12.2022 - 10.2024
HR Manager/ Sr. HR Business Partner
CW Bearing USA
02.2016 - 01.2022
Senior HR Business Partner
Hayashi Telempu North America
05.2015 - 01.2016
Senior Human Resources Partner
Willis Towers Watson
05.2013 - 05.2015
Senior HR Business Partner
SiriusXM Radio, Inc.
05.2008 - 05.2013
Senior HR Business Partner
Panasonic Automotive Systems America
04.2000 - 06.2003
Bachelor of Science - Business, International Business
Madonna University