Sandra Choi
Placentia,CA
Summary
Results-driven Director of Human Resources with a strong track record in mentorship and servant leadership. Expertise in team and program development has led to significant reductions in employee turnover and enhanced onboarding processes. Committed to fostering a culture of high productivity through innovative training initiatives while maintaining a focus on the human element of workplace relationships. Seeking to leverage extensive business acumen to align HR strategies with organizational goals.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Human Resources
Worldwide Golf Shops LLC
05.2021 - Current
- Lead all HR functions for golf retail, e-commerce, distribution/warehouse, and club manufacturing for an organization of over 1,800 employees, 29 states, 90+ golf retail locations, 4 warehouse facilities (1 globally operated), 3 corporate offices, and 2 manufacturing sites.
- Successfully completed 11 mergers and acquisitions, with a combined company growth of $200 million.
- Revamp talent acquisition strategies, resulting in a 75% reduction in time-to-fill for critical positions, and a 95% increase in candidate quality.
- Designed and implemented scalable HR processes, integrating technology solutions that streamline HR operations, resulting in a decrease in cross-department workflows, and an increase in overall efficiency and compliance.
- Spearhead cross-functional teams for HR projects, including benefits redesign and performance management initiatives, contributing to the improvement of employee satisfaction.
- Strategic leader in transitioning the company’s benefit plan from a fully insured model to a self-funded structure, resulting in projected savings of $1.2 million.
- Plan administrator of company’s $38 million retirement plan. Spearheaded the move to a 3(38) plan, removing the legal liability of the plan from the company, reducing in-house administration, and increasing compliance with the plan.
- Organized team building activities to foster collaboration among staff members.
- Created a company-specific performance review process.
- Cultivated relationships with external vendors providing services related to human resources functions.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive human resources policies, procedures, and processes to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Successfully navigated international HR challenges, ensuring compliance with global labor laws, health, and retirement standards, and fostering a cohesive global culture.
Human Resources Director
Worldwide Golf Enterprises Inc.
04.2018 - 05.2021
- Maintain company compliance with all local, state and federal laws, in addition to establishing organization standards for multi-state, multi-location retail company.
- Successful completion of 4 mergers and acquisitions.
- 22 states, 83 golf retail locations, 1 warehouse facility, and 1 corporate office.
- Provide guidance on policies and procedures, with effective, relatable responses to grievances, with appropriate investigation and resolution.
- Utilize compliance tools, corrective actions, and identification of deficiencies to mitigate audit risks.
- Plan sponsor and co-fiduciary of the company’s retirement plan, with experience in record-keeper transition from Principal to MassMutual, to Empower.
- Fundamental influence in finding the company’s financial advisory firm for the retirement plan by executing an extensive RFP process.
- Growth of plan assets from $24 million in 2018 to over $31 million.
- Maintain workforce HRIS usage to ensure accuracy of digital data. with 97% employee usage of HRIS.
- Improved morale by educating executives on effective communication skills and leadership qualities.
- Successful in fine-tuning Company’s “mind-set” to utilize the Human Resource Department as the hub of communication.
- Initiated programs pertaining to employees' engagement. such as quarterly financial wellness program, monthly HR publications and corporate committees.
- Experience with effective M&As for location, brand, and company growth.
- Responsible for the creation of the company’s Talent Acquisition by strategically targeting the game of golf, the reason to work in golf retail, and creating awareness of the legacy of the brand.
Human Resources Manager
Worldwide Golf Enterprises Inc.
04.2015 - 04.2018
- Instrumental in the HRIS implementation of the benefit administration system from Benetrac to B-Swift.
- Fundamental influence in the integration and implementation of the Company’s digitalization of New Hire/Onboarding procedures.
- Manage the recruitment and selection process.
- Develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives aligned with the overall business strategy.
- Bridge management and employee relations by addressing demands, grievances or other issues.
- Support current and future business needs through the development, engagement, motivation and preservation of human capital.
- Develop and monitor overall HR strategies, systems, tactics, and procedures across the organization.
- Nurture a positive working environment.
- Oversee and manage a performance appraisal system that drives high performance.
- Maintain the pay plan and benefits program.
- Assess training needs to apply and monitor training programs.
- Report to management and provide decision support through HR metrics.
- Ensure legal compliance throughout human resource management.
- The main analyst, along with the HR director, is involved in the implementation of the HRIS transition from Paylocity to Paycom.
Payroll Specialist/HR Assistant
Worldwide Golf Enterprises
05.2013 - 04.2015
- Ran bi-weekly payroll for over 500 employees, Paylocity.
- Oversaw day-to-day processing of payroll, including the review of timesheets and computing pay in accordance with the FLSA.
- Managed and remained up to date on multi-state sales and use tax filing, and set up new states as needed.
- Assisted with both internal and external audits relating to the processing of payroll.
- Maintained a current understanding of state and federal policies, such as EEO and ADA.
- Collaborated with management to build and implement effective, modern employment policies.
- Assisted with the onboarding process of new hires, including maintaining I-9 accuracy and state law compliance in 19 states.
- Set, enforced, and explained HR policies to team members to cultivate a compliant and satisfied workforce.
Assistant Director
Clarity Learning
06.2006 - 06.2006
- Trained and mentored new employees on industry practices and business operations.
- Worked closely with the manager to provide effective assistance for specific aspects of business operations.
- Identified training needs and developed content, while evaluating existing programs.
- Charged with staffing, performance management and reviews, coaching, mentoring, salary development, and budget allocations.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
University of California, Irvine
Skills
- Change process facilitation
- Workforce development initiatives
- Human resources policy development
- Proficient in managing mergers and acquisitions
- Payroll management
- Ethical business practices
- Workforce retention initiatives
- System assessment
- Knowledge of multi-state employment regulations
- HRIS management
Community Leadership
- NHRA OC - HR Executive of the Year Finalist, 2025
- Vice President, Board of Directors of First Tee of Orange County, 2021-2024
- University of California Riverside, Women in Leadership Advisory Member, 2023-2024
- Guest Speaker, Workforce Transformation Summit, 2020
- Guest Speaker, Pepperdine Graziadio Business school, 2020
Personal Insight
- Golf enthusiast
- Yoga zealot
- Passion for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping
- Classically trained - violin
- Bi-lingual - English/Korean
Timeline
Director of Human Resources
Worldwide Golf Shops LLC
05.2021 - Current
Human Resources Director
Worldwide Golf Enterprises Inc.
04.2018 - 05.2021
Human Resources Manager
Worldwide Golf Enterprises Inc.
04.2015 - 04.2018
Payroll Specialist/HR Assistant
Worldwide Golf Enterprises
05.2013 - 04.2015
Assistant Director
Clarity Learning
06.2006 - 06.2006
Bachelor of Arts -
University of California, Irvine
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