Laura Brandt

Elevated to GM role under new CEO while retaining all previous responsibilities. After transitioning through additional new CEO, currently report directly to board of directors with 3 remote admin direct reports.

• Planned & executed reorganization of business model to realize significant savings of 95% in overhead costs by shutting down manufacturing facility & transitioning to contract manufacturing arrangement with minimal remote administrative support to improve margins & provide future positive cashflow. Maintained production activities until 2 weeks prior to exit from building.
• Controlled expenses to ensure efficient use of resources within plant operations while navigating extreme cash flow challenges prior to Chapter 11 filing & throughout bankruptcy proceedings.
• Successfully retained staff through effective honest communication & support throughout bankruptcy proceedings & up until eventual plant closure.
• Represented company as main contact with bankruptcy counsel, US Trustee, Chapter 5 Trustee, various creditors & our financial partners throughout bankruptcy proceedings, including providing all necessary information, reports, budgets & forecasts as needed, as well as creditor negotiations. Reorganization plan confirmed by court Aug 2023.
• Implemented debtor in possession financing, including AR factoring & PO Financing.
• Successfully obtained $732K in ERC funds in order to pay down largest secured creditor by over 50%.

Led daily operations of 342,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant with annual sales up to $33 million. Retained HR management responsibilities, as well as additional accounting functions. Direct report of CEO, provided direction & leadership to 6 managers, 5 supervisors & up to 130 hourly employees.

• Obtained $719K PPP Loan to assist in funding company & maintained all required documentation on use of funds. Later applied for & received 100% forgiveness of loan.
• Promoted culture of adaptability & responsiveness while successfully executing complete revamp to format of entire product line, increasing throughput by 500% while minimizing waste & labor to meet significant sustained jump in demand. Fostered collaborative work environment to motivate & engage staff in achieving company goals.
• Maintained lasting customer & supplier relationships using strong issue resolution & dynamic communication skills during unprecedented pandemic demand & later during uncertainty following Chapter 11 filing which allowed us to continue to function as debtor in possession.
• Maximized plant safety through proactive strategies, policies, procedures & well-structured training throughout COVID pandemic. (First positive case in August 2021 & only 1 day shut down.)

Full HR Management for $20 million frozen food manufacturer/distributer with 65 employees. Sole HR employee reporting directly to CEO.

• Retained by new ownership to assist in reorganization & planned turnaround following years of instability, internal change & attempted restructuring, amid cash flow challenges.
• Supported, retained & transitioned 99% of Gourmet Express employees to new company with no loss of key skilled personnel following last minute asset purchase agreement out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• Revised staffing model to minimize labor expenditures & maximize production efficiency during critical rebuilding phase that followed.
• Implemented company wellness program, resulting in 7%+ savings (flat renewal) with health insurance carrier - negotiated 3 additional flat renewals.
• Mentored newly hired QA Manager, successfully achieving a score of 98% on annual GFSI audit (SQF Level 2) after only 4 months in position.
• Assumed responsibility for administration of all insurance coverage (general liability, property, flood, WC, product recall, ocean cargo, EPL, D&O) & check signing authority following departure of CFO.
• Provided backup for accountant & QA Manager as needed.

Full HR Management responsibilities for $75 million frozen food manufacturer/distributor with up to 200 employees. Direct report of COO, supervising one HR Assistant.

• Established HR department following company startup in IL, including development, implementation & administration of all benefits plans (health, ancillary, and 401(k)), formulation of policies, procedures & programs (ie. employee handbook, job descriptions, crisis management plan, food defense plan & training program meeting requirements of UDSA, FDA, SQF & OSHA).
• Converted workforce from nearly 90% temporary day labor to 98% PEO employees within first 60 days - resulting additional productivity allowed two shifts to merge into one, providing overhead savings in addition to labor reduction. Later transitioned to 100% W2 employees to benefit from KY KREDA tax incentives package worth $5 million over 10 years.
• Executed 2 WARN closures (2008/2015), providing support for 2 plans operating concurrently for 4 months during relocation from IL to KY.
• Planned & implemented all HR activities related to startup of new facility in KY, including sourcing, onboarding & training of initial 100 employees, relocation of 20 key employees & wind down of IL facility.
• Partnered with COO & Controller to develop standard labor cost to effectively manage variable labor & profitability; devised improved reporting tools for department managers allowing additional visibility & control of expenses.
• Enacted Managing by Objectives program as part of strategic culture change to a more formal, structured environment following company reorganization.
• Assisted consulting firm in facilitating due diligence & transfer of knowledge to potential new owners during bankruptcy proceedings in absence of senior leadership.

Attained Store Director position after progressing through increased leadership positions in Customer Service & Operations. Responsible for all facets of daily operations in $9-20 million retail store. Direct reports included 4 managers & up to 50+ employees.

• Developed 4 new managers who were successfully promoted during tenure.
• Supported team during execution of company-wide strategic initiative to transition from commissioned sales force to hourly employees.
• Assisted in grand opening of flagship location.
• Selected to participate in district-wide operations task force to assist stores struggling with inventory issues.