Mathew Guss
Salt Lake City,UT
Summary
With extensive experience in global HR operations, change management, performance development, and workforce planning. Proven expertise in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, improving employee engagement, and leading HR initiatives across multiple countries. Skilled at driving cultural change, ensuring compliance with international labor laws, and supporting global talent development. Senior Certified Professional, SHRM.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Human Resources, West Region
Summit Materials
West Valley, Utah
01.2024 - Current
- Directed a 7-member HR team, providing HR support to 1,800 employees across five Western states and British Columbia, Canada
- Implemented a 2025 leadership development program, reducing turnover by 10% through improvements in employee selection and engagement
- Centralized HR operations, improving service delivery and reducing ticket backlog by 30%
- Realigned HR business partner responsibilities to emphasize succession planning and leader development
Director of Human Resources
Pride Transport
West Valley, Utah
05.2023 - 01.2024
- Led HR strategy for a privately held inter-state refrigerated goods transporter, overseeing compliance, talent strategy, and employee engagement initiatives
- Salvaged ISO 14001 certification campaign, securing approval on the first audit attempt
- Increased company scores on global Ecovadis sustainability program by 20%, retaining key customers and attracting new business
Talent Development Partner
Adobe Inc.
Lehi, Utah
02.2021 - 03.2023
- Developed and delivered soft skills programs across all geographies, job levels, and functions
- Led global mentoring program, improving mentor-mentee matching and ensuring optimal program outcomes
- Initiated review and restructuring of employee onboarding for acquired companies, introducing key metrics for real-time program adjustments
Principal Human Resources Business Partner
Workfront
Lehi, Utah
11.2020 - 02.2021
- Principal HR Business Partner for VPs of Marketing and Product Development, co-leading HR efforts during Adobe acquisition
- Led workforce transition during acquisition, minimizing employee turnover to 1%
Director of Human Resources [Workforce Planning]
Graymont Inc.
Sandy, Utah
06.2012 - 05.2020
- HR lead for North America and Southeast Asia operations, ensuring global policy enforcement and alignment with labor laws
- Directed succession planning and performance management processes across all Graymont locations, improving leadership development and retention
- HR lead for five acquisitions totaling $1.5B, integrating performance culture, values, and policies in aggressive timelines
- Managed HR functions for New Zealand operations, including recruiting, labor relations, and employee relations
Manager, Sustainable Development
Graymont Inc.
Sandy, Utah
01.2011 - 05.2012
- Evaluated stakeholder engagement for North American sites, leading improvement initiatives and overseeing public sustainability reporting
Manager, Human Resources (US)
Graymont Inc.
Sandy, Utah
08.2005 - 12.2010
- Developed and implemented HR strategies across U.S
- Operations, enhancing productivity by 10% and reducing turnover by 25%
- Introduced performance management and recruiting systems that reduced time-to-hire from 3 months to 5 weeks
- Reduced first-year turnover by 50% through the establishment of a formal onboarding program
Human Resources Generalist
Qwest Communications
Tempe, AZ
02.2002 - 07.2005
- Partnered with leadership to streamline workforce planning and improve operational efficiency while maintaining customer experience
Human Resources Manager
Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing
Cambridge, OH
06.1998 - 01.2002
- Successfully led two labor organizing efforts, ensuring positive relationships between management and hourly workforce
- Developed skills database improving internal promotions and reducing job vacancies by 50%
Education
Bachelor of Science - Communications
University of Utah
Skills
- Performance Development & Management
- Global Workforce Planning and Succession Planning
- Global Change Management
- HR Policies & Compliance
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Talent Development & Leadership Programs
- Compensation & Benefits Strategy
- Employee Engagement & Organizational Culture
- Strategic HR Leadership & Partnership
- Employee engagement
- Compensation strategy
- Organizational development
- HR analytics
- Talent acquisition
- Succession planning
- Labor relations
- Retention strategies
- Onboarding process
Key Achievements Contributions
- Led change management initiatives, implementing global performance management and succession planning processes across multiple countries.
- Drove the development of competitive compensation and benefits policies in New Zealand, ensuring market alignment and compliance with national requirements.
- Supported DEI initiatives globally, focusing on gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated roles, such as sales and engineering, in New Zealand.
Education Certifications Service
- Bachelor of Science, Communications, University of Utah
- SPHR, 2023, Society for Human Resources Management
- Certified StrengthFinders Trainer
- Co-Lead, Adobe Action Circles, 2022-23
- Mentor, iCouldbe, 2022-23
Affiliations
- Published cartoonist with work appearing in Popular Mechanics and Dragon magazines.
- Commissioned creator of tabletop wargaming and role-playing gaming scenery and gaming pieces.
Certification
- Senior Certified Professional, Human Resources, 2023
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director of Human Resources, West Region
Summit Materials
01.2024 - Current
Director of Human Resources
Pride Transport
05.2023 - 01.2024
Talent Development Partner
Adobe Inc.
02.2021 - 03.2023
Principal Human Resources Business Partner
Workfront
11.2020 - 02.2021
Director of Human Resources [Workforce Planning]
Graymont Inc.
06.2012 - 05.2020
Manager, Sustainable Development
Graymont Inc.
01.2011 - 05.2012
Manager, Human Resources (US)
Graymont Inc.
08.2005 - 12.2010
Human Resources Generalist
Qwest Communications
02.2002 - 07.2005
Human Resources Manager
Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing
06.1998 - 01.2002
Bachelor of Science - Communications
University of Utah
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