Takelia Collins
Carrollton,VA
Summary
Driven Human Resources leader, excelling in employee relations and leadership skills. Expert in recruitment strategies and onboarding programs, fostering a high-performing, inclusive workplace. Successfully led initiatives that enhanced coworker engagement and optimized performance management, driving significant improvements in team morale and productivity.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
People and Culture Generalist
IKEA
Norfolk, VA
10.2022 - Current
- Established and maintained a great place to work that aligns with the IKEA brand, promotes values-based behaviors for our coworkers, and builds trusted relationships within the unit to optimize business and drive sales.
- Collaborated with the Unit People, Culture Manager to execute key performance metrics that identify areas for improvement and create results.
- Supported the People and Culture team in implementing staffing strategies to align with productivity goals and business objectives.
- Managed the execution of mandatory training plans at the unit level that promote coworker competence, in partnership with the Learning and Delivery Specialists, and the People and Culture team.
- Provided guidance to managers on employee relations issues, including implementing resolutions that support the business and the coworker.
- Conducted workplace investigations to address allegations of harassment or discrimination, ensuring a safe work environment.
- Advised management and staff on labor laws, social relations principles, and HR policies, reducing legal risks, ensuring compliance, and preventing the risk of liability.
- Managed recruitment processes, in collaboration with the Recruitment Service Office, the PC& team, and hiring managers, to ensure timeliness in recruiting, to promote a great experience for internal and external candidates, and to ensure that candidates align with IKEA values.
- Developed and implemented employee onboarding programs to accelerate new hire integration, increase productivity, and promote retention.
- Develop others through succession planning of hourly coworkers, in partnership with the leadership team.
- Led diversity, inclusion, and coworker engagement, health, and wellness initiatives, promoting an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and life work balance.
- Coordinated employee recognition programs to boost morale and reward outstanding performance.
Unit People Planning Specialist
IKEA
Norfolk, VA
12.2018 - 10.2022
- Facilitate monthly meetings with department leaders and managers to develop staffing plans that meet the budget guidelines and ensure we are staffed to meet the customer curve and business trends.
- Partners with leaders and managers regarding future staffing needs, maintaining coworker mix, and developing action plans to budget for future events and/or staffing needs.
- Oversees onboarding and orientation for new coworkers, and I-9 completion.
- Ensure coworkers are paid on time and accurately through weekly payroll execution.
- Trains leaders and managers how to use Kronos efficiently to ensure accurate schedules that promote work-life balance through IKEA Employment Standards compliance.
- Monitors customer traffic by conducting store walks, evaluating staffing levels, and communicating staffing concerns to leaders and managers.
- Oversees onboarding, orientation for new coworkers, and I-9 completion.
- Collaborates and maintains working relationships with the Business Navigator, the Service Office, Recruiters, and the Store Leadership team to communicate sales trends, staffing needs, and how budgets and hours are impacted.
- Facilitates training courses for co-workers and the leadership team (i.e., Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership in a New Era, Code of Conduct, etc.).
- Collaborated with the management team to create a 'Buddy Program' to implement a quality training experience for new coworkers.
- Assists with planning events for coworkers, developing partnerships with the team through Co-Worker Engagement Forums.
Human Resources
Belk
Suffolk, Virginia
11.2016 - 12.2018
- Implemented human resources policies, procedures, and advised management regarding best practices, and employee relations.
- Demonstrated working knowledge in human resource applications/software such as PeopleSoft, Kronos, Reflexis, CICS, and a Regional Workday trainer.
- Expert in HR laws and policies as they relate to associates. FMLA, HIPAA, ADA, ADEA, Protected Class, etc.
- Collaborated with the management team regarding disciplinary actions when necessary.
- Facilitated the total recruitment and hiring process, including job posting, interviews, job offers, onboarding, and employment verifications.
- Led the performance appraisal process and maintains personnel files.
- Ensured that benefit administration and communication occur in a timely manner.
- Developed plans for succession planning, retention, and change management.
- Prepared legal documentation, and participated in unemployment hearings and investigations via Equifax, as needed.
- Met store budgets, base staffing, and weekend percent guidelines through minimal edits.
- Performed duties as a keyholder, with responsibility for leading the support staff, as appropriate.
Executive Team Lead
Target
Chesapeake, VA
10.2003 - 09.2011
- Managed retail stores during hours of operation ranging from $35 million to $50 million annually, while successfully ensuring a clean atmosphere, merchandise in stocks, and a friendly staff for guests.
- Directly managed a team of seven team leads, two specialists, and on average, 30+ team members consistently.
- I assessed the performance of my team leaders by writing performance reviews, giving performance feedback, and delegating assignments to develop their performance and leadership skills.
- Participated in job fairs at college campuses in Hampton Roads.
- Assessed, inspected, and provided feedback and suggestions for improvement on the District Assessment Team by visiting other stores.
- Effectively staffed work centers at appropriate levels for seasonal workload.
- Recruited, interviewed, and recommended candidates for hire.
- Managed payroll each year, resulting in savings from 500 hours per year to 2,000 hours year to date.
- Built trust by engaging in strong interpersonal, organizational, conflict management, reasoning, leadership development and decision-making skills, resulting in a diverse and talented team.
- Official job titles as a retail manager include ETL-Guest Experience from 2003 to 2007, ETL-Hardlines from 2007 to 2011, and Food Manager/Food Safety captain from 2003 to 2011.
- Employed as a cashier, Cash Office Specialist, Guest Service Specialist, and Guest Service Team Lead (Supervisor) before being promoted to management from September. 1999 through Oct. 2003, totaling 11 years of employment.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC05-2003
Skills
- Employee relations
- Workplace investigations
- Labor law compliance
- Recruitment strategies
- Onboarding programs
- Performance management
Certification
- Mental Health First Aider
- IKEA Leadership Fundamentals facilitator
- Speech Pedagogy; Became one of ten Speaking Consultants for 1st University Speaking Center
Accomplishments
- Increased sales by exceeding Target Visa goals year to date; ranking #2 out of 10 stores in the district
- Received extensive training to become a certified Food Safety Service Manager in 2003, 2007, and 2010
- Selected by STL to be a member of the District Assessment Team-Guest Experience in February 2004
- Received award for Executive Team Lead-Guest Experience of the Year; October 2004
- Planned a successful “VIG” Night for grand opening of a remodeled store in November 2005
- Selected by STL to take a course and become a Trainer on District Recruiting Team in September 2007
- Exceeded expectations as Inventory Captain in February 2008; reduced shortage from .07% to .03%
- Recognized as a “Top Contributor” in the District 2nd and 3rd Quarter of 2009 and 4th Quarter of 2010
- Recognized as Associate/Manager of the Month February 2017, October 2018, and December 2022
- Hero Award April 2018
- Charity Day Captain July 2018
- Interim People and Culture Manager Oct 2022-Dec 2022
Timeline
People and Culture Generalist
IKEA
10.2022 - Current
Unit People Planning Specialist
IKEA
12.2018 - 10.2022
Human Resources
Belk
11.2016 - 12.2018
Executive Team Lead
Target
10.2003 - 09.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of North Carolina At Greensboro
Similar Profiles
Fatima MouflihFatima Mouflih
Food and Beverage Assistant at IKEAFood and Beverage Assistant at IKEA
Alexis BasilioAlexis Basilio
Cart Attendant at IKEACart Attendant at IKEA
ABDOULAYE TOUREABDOULAYE TOURE
Goods Flow II Co-worker at IKEAGoods Flow II Co-worker at IKEA
Nadia IslamNadia Islam
Sales co-worker at IKEASales co-worker at IKEA
Toni ArtisToni Artis
Public Health Nurse / Tuberculosis at ACI FederalPublic Health Nurse / Tuberculosis at ACI Federal