Penny Hibbs

Results-oriented Human Resources professional with 15 years of experience in optimizing employee benefit programs and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Expertise in developing and administering benefits programs, evaluating competitiveness, and managing FMLA, ADA, and PLOA. Proven ability to enhance employee satisfaction through innovative wellness initiatives and strategic planning.

• Analyze current benefits and evaluate plan design and impact analysis to support improved decision making and proposal development.
• Meets with third-party administrators for best plans, options, and rates to be presented to Directors.
• Project manager of all new benefit implementations, coordinating with broker, vendors, and benefits enrollment system to ensure timelines are met, plan documents are reviewed, employee communication materials are developed and disseminated, and any testing of files or employee interface is completed to provide an outstanding customer experience for employees.
• Research plans and providers in order to develop benefits programs that optimize costs, maintain external competitiveness, and meet organizational goals.
• Oversee support staff’s maintenance of employee benefits files, maintain group benefits database, and update employee payroll records.
• Evaluates and revise internal processes to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
• Acts as subject matter expert for issues relating to benefits technology. Develops thorough knowledge of all benefits and HRIS to troubleshoot file errors, run reports, and ensure a smooth experience for employees.
• Oversees benefits data integrity and enrollment processing in HRIS and resolve administrative problems with the carrier.
• Coordinates and oversees the transfer of data to external contacts for services, premiums, and plan administration.
• Gather employee data and oversee the processing of monthly billings for all SCA plans.
• Perform plan audits. Verify the calculation of the monthly premium statements for all group insurance policies and ensure they match the deduction formula in HRIS/PayCom.
• Develops benefits education and engagement campaigns highlighting key vendors' and programs. Works closely with internal communications teams to develop employee communications materials.
• Document and maintain administrative procedures for assigned benefits processes.
• Coordinate daily benefits processing which includes enrollments, COBRA, terminations, changes, beneficiaries, disability, accident and death claims, rollovers, QDROs, QMCSOs, distributions, loans, hardships and compliance testing.
• Maintains materials for benefits orientations, open enrollment, and summary plan descriptions. Provide training and support to group benefits associates, home office associates, and the field staff.
• Develop, document, and maintain administrative procedures for leave administration processes.
• Effectively interprets and facilitates FMLA, ADA, and additional leaves implications as they relate to leaves of absences.
• Ensures leave compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing laws and regulations as well as updates to legal requirements.
• Manages direct reports and daily operations of a comprehensive health and welfare program for a fast-paced, rapidly changing organization.
• Provide and promote a proactive approach to resolving internal and external customers' concerns. Develop communication tools to enhance understanding of the company's benefits package.

• Fostered a teamwork/open-door environment conducive to positive dialogue across the facility.
• Developed staffing tools to provide accurate staffing levels and strategies to Senior Leadership.
• Conducted a comparative pilot study to review the effectiveness of application process.
• Negotiated mutually beneficial and competitive contracts with staffing agencies to acquire additional candidates to fill immediate need to onboard talent.
• Implemented effective retention plan.
• Trained and developed Operations Managers and Supervisors to include positive associate relations, effective interactions, and re-introduced policies and associate-related procedures, allowing for consistent messaging.
• Developed and maintained relationships with community groups and charitable organizations.
• Provided operations support as necessary.
• Performed staffing duties, including addressing understaffing, investigating associate concerns/complaints, exiting associates, and administering coaching-to-grow conversations and action plans.
• Plan and conduct new hire orientation to foster positive attitude toward organizational objectives as well as conducting exit interviews to identify reasons for employee resignation.
• Perform and plan 21-day meetings with associates, partnering with an exempt member of operations leadership to answer questions and compile feedback from associates. Filling in for HRM on 45 and 75-day associate meetings, as well as Birthday Round Table meetings.
• Plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate work activities of HR Coordinators. Provide cross functional training to obtain a team that is cross trained and flexible.
• Provide current and prospective associates with information about policies, job duties, working conditions, wages, FMLA, LOA and opportunities for promotion and employee benefits.
• Analyze statistical data and reports to identify and determine causes of personnel problems and develop recommendations for improvement of organization's personnel policies and practices.
• Develop or administer special projects such as:
• Develop employee handbook covering issues including disciplinary procedures, code of conduct, code of ethics, safety, FMLA policy and benefits information.
• Co-created a new behavior-based hourly review process to be implemented throughout all PetSmart distribution centers.
• Policies/Forms and SOP community folder project - Worked with team to gather and provide single access point for all HR related policies/forms and SOP’s. Resulting in efficiency and consistency within the HR DC departments.
• Updated candidate pre-screen questions specifically for distribution.
• Compensation Committee – Worked with the committee to change the Pay for Performance incentive program. Reviewed proposal from compensation and provided feedback and testing. Identifying opportunities and providing solutions to the system and the new program.
• Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee Information Board - Co-developed communication strategies for all DC’s
• Develop relationships with charitable organizations to coordinate volunteer opportunities for DC associates.
• Coordinated “Family Fun Day and Animal Adoption Event” – This involved coordinating vendors, tours, awards, adoption opportunities through HALO no kill animal shelter and activities.
• IPad Mobile App – Assisted with implementation and development of project. Travelled to other DC’s to assist with general knowledge and report writing.
• Attendance Policy Updates – Assisted with updating policy to reflect current changes in policy.