LJ Johnson
Lenexa,KS
Summary
Strategic HR leader with over 8 years of experience in human resources, operations, and leadership development. Expertise in reducing turnover, coaching leaders, enhancing employee satisfaction, and fostering inclusive teams. Strong ability to build effective business partnerships and develop a diverse, engaged workforce.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
IKEA
03.2024 - Current
- Manage labor and expense budgets. Own HRIS system accuracy. Manage a team of HR professionals that support workforce planning, payroll, and HR operations.
- Partner with key stakeholders to analyze, create, and influence necessary changes to drive the organization forward. Develop and provide coaching to managers regarding employee relations issues.
- Develop and provide coaching to managers regarding employee relations issues, investigations, re-organizations, change management and leadership training.
- Coached managers on employee relations issues, investigations, reorganizations, change management, and leadership training.
- Ensure that internal investigations include an understanding of allegations, appropriate interviews, analysis and documentation, and recommendations for conclusion and course of action. Partner with legal and field specialists for risk aversion.
- Liaised between business unit of 180+ employees and service center for leave management, benefits, accommodations, payroll, and workers' compensation to streamline employee services.
- Ensured compliance with internal and external employment and labor standards to mitigate organizational risk.
HUMAN RESOURCE GENERALIST
IKEA
05.2021 - 03.2024
- Supported onboarding initiatives by creating a more efficient and consistent way for hiring managers to provide. Ensured every department in the location had a 100-day onboarding plan. Helped in reducing turnover to below 20%.
- Partnered with leadership team to develop employees through targeted leadership training and performance coaching, enhancing overall team capabilities.
- Led DEI initiatives and employee forums; established ambassadors and executed engagement programming.
- Assisted multiple locations in implementing DEI initiatives within the Inclusion team for IKEA US locations.
- Collaborated with Market Area People and Culture Manager and P&C partners to enhance people initiatives at unit level, driving employee engagement and satisfaction.
- Provided support with Unit People and Culture Manager to develop succession and growth through yearlong talent cycle. Facilitated workshops to support managers' competence with succession planning.
SALES MANAGER
IKEA
07.2020 - 05.2021
- Led sales team to exceed quarterly targets through strategic planning and effective coaching.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE & LOYALTY LEADER
IKEA
11.2017 - 06.2020
- Developed training programs to mentor staff on best practices and operational standards.
ACCOUNT MANAGER
BASYS
10.2016 - 10.2017
- Managed client account portfolio as primary contact for business needs, ensuring alignment with client expectations
- Developed account strategies that aligned client goals with company objectives, enhancing collaboration and outcomes
- Acted as a trusted advisor by understanding client business needs and delivering tailored solutions
- Resolved escalated client issues swiftly, reinforcing client satisfaction and loyalty
SOLUTION ANALYST
CERNER
07.2015 - 10.2016
- Developed recommendations enhancing operational efficiency and optimizing system performance
- Validated solutions ensuring alignment with business requirements and stakeholder expectations
- Facilitated change management processes and system adoption efforts
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Communication
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Olathe, KS01-2010
Skills
- Employee relations
- Change management
- Coaching
- Workforce planning
- Leadership development
- Employee compensation
- Compensation management
- HR operations
Accomplishments
- Achieved the highest Employee Engagement score among all 50+ U.S. IKEA locations in 2025, positioning the unit as the top-ranked market for coworker engagement and organizational culture.
- Transformed location with an Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) of -17 to sustained high-performance levels of 20+ for consecutive years, representing an improvement of more than 37 points and significantly enhancing coworker advocacy and retention.
- Led organizational and operational change initiatives that contributed to multiple consecutive years of profitability, helping reverse historical performance trends and improve overall business sustainability.
Timeline
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER
IKEA
03.2024 - Current
HUMAN RESOURCE GENERALIST
IKEA
05.2021 - 03.2024
SALES MANAGER
IKEA
07.2020 - 05.2021
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE & LOYALTY LEADER
IKEA
11.2017 - 06.2020
ACCOUNT MANAGER
BASYS
10.2016 - 10.2017
SOLUTION ANALYST
CERNER
07.2015 - 10.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Business Communication
MidAmerica Nazarene University