Samuel Rivera

• Serve as a strategic HR Business Partner to the VP of Customer Care and Senior VP, providing consultation on workforce strategies and project execution across U.S. and Canadian operations.
• Directly manage an HR Coordinator, and have supported over 1,300 associates with comprehensive HR services, including benefits, compensation, compliance, training, recruiting, and labor relations.
• Designed and led initiatives such as Customer Care career pathing, employee engagement programs, and Homer Huddles, fostering a collaborative and solution-oriented culture.
• Spearheaded the Canadian integration of The Home Depot Pro and HD Supply, ensuring seamless alignment with Canadian labor laws while migrating data on compensation, benefits, and employee records.
• Key contributor to the rollout of the Workday HRIS system, collaborating with cross-functional teams to streamline workflows and improve HR efficiencies.

Key Achievements:

• Successfully consolidated five Customer Care sites (NJ, CA, OK, FL, GA) from 2022–2024, ensuring compliance and smooth employee transitions.
• Developed innovative engagement tools that reduced employee turnover and enhanced team morale.

• Directed HR operations for six restaurants with over 900 employees, encompassing full-cycle recruiting, onboarding, training, payroll, and compensation.
• Managed a team of four HR professionals, cultivating a high-performing department aligned with organizational goals.
• Partnered with San Antonio area based community organizations to amplify recruitment efforts and advance corporate social responsibility initiatives.
• Led the development of a benefits auditing process for our self-funded benefits program, improving accuracy in tracking claims and premiums while optimizing cost-efficiency.

Key Achievements:

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, innovatively transformed operations into curbside supermarkets and a soup kitchen, ensuring employee retention and supporting furloughed staff.
• Streamlined the new-hire onboarding process, reducing onboarding time by 30%.

• Delivered comprehensive HR support to a workforce of 250 across healthcare, maintenance, and food service departments.
• Oversaw compliance training for healthcare professionals (Registered Nurses, LVN's, CNA's, CMA's), ensuring adherence to state regulations and industry standards.
• Acted as sole payroll administrator and benefits manager, providing seamless service to employees and leadership.
• Chaired the Retention Committee, creating targeted initiatives to enhance employee satisfaction, recognition, and retention.

Key Achievements:

• Designed and implemented the “New Beginnings in Leadership” training program, equipping newly promoted and hired managers with critical leadership skills.
• Increased retention rates by 20% through employee engagement strategies and recognition programs.