Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic
Open To Work

TRA’KESHA FOSTER

Kosciusko,USA

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: Open to discussion

Desired Job Title

HR Generalist / Operations LiaisonSr. Recruiter – Employee Advocate / HR GeneralistHuman Resources ManagerGeneral Manager

Work Type

Full TimeConsultingContract Work

Location Preference

Hybrid
Location: Mississippi
Open to relocation: No

Salary Range

$80000/yr - $109000/yr

Summary

High-impact operational leader with 25 years of experience bridging the gap between human resources and industrial performance. Proven track record in wood mill environments, specifically credited with spearheading a 365-day accident-free safety milestone. Expert in stabilizing high-turnover teams, managing complex labor schedules, and professionalizing maintenance workflows to maximize plant uptime.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

HR Generalist / Operations Liaison

The Taylor Group
Louisville, MS
11.2023 - Current
  • Directs HR and compliance for 14 locations, focusing on aligning human capital with production goals.
  • Manages full-cycle payroll (Kronos/ADP) and benefits for 400+ employees with 100% audit accuracy.
  • Partners with plant leadership to develop systems that improve employee engagement and reduce downtime.

Sr. Recruiter – Employee Advocate / HR Generalist

Winston Plywood & Veneer
Louisville, MS
02.2019 - 11.2023
  • Safety Champion: Conducted all new-hire safety orientations and managed worker’s comp claims, directly contributing to the mill's safety record.
  • Performance Tracking: Generated weekly attendance and performance reports to identify and correct labor inefficiencies on the mill floor.
  • Talent Pipeline: Built a robust local recruiting network to ensure critical mill roles were filled with qualified, reliable personnel.

Human Resources Manager

Lowes Home Improvement
Philadelphia, MS
05.2011 - 01.2018
  • Budgeting: Managed departmental budgets for two locations (up to 450 staff) and collaborated with the executive team on organizational policy.
  • Systems Implementation: Led technical teams in the design and rollout of new software systems to track labor and performance metrics.

General Manager

Hilton Garden Inn
Philadelphia, MS
12.2007 - 05.2011
  • Facility Management: Held P&L accountability for a 140-room property, including direct supervision of the maintenance and repair departments.
  • Operational Oversight: Managed property inspections, vendor deliveries, and large-scale renovations.

Education

B.S. - HR Management

University of Phoenix

Business Management

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Skills

  • Safety Leadership: OSHA Compliance, 365-Day Accident-Free Cultures, & Incident Investigation
  • Maintenance Coordination: Workflow Optimization, Vendor/Contract Management, & CMMS Awareness
  • Workforce Strategy: High-Volume Recruitment, Labor Cost Control (Overtime/Shifts), & Retention
  • Risk Management: Workers’ Compensation, Regulatory Auditing, and FMLA Administration

Accomplishments

  • Safety Excellence: Led the strategic shift in safety culture at a major wood mill, resulting in 365 consecutive days without a recordable accident.
  • Operational Efficiency: Reduced staffing overhead by 14% at a multi-site operation while maintaining double-digit growth through smarter workforce planning.
  • Multi-Site Oversight: Currently managing HR and compliance operations for 14 locations and 400+ employees, ensuring seamless coordination across diverse teams.

Timeline

HR Generalist / Operations Liaison

The Taylor Group
11.2023 - Current

Sr. Recruiter – Employee Advocate / HR Generalist

Winston Plywood & Veneer
02.2019 - 11.2023

Human Resources Manager

Lowes Home Improvement
05.2011 - 01.2018

General Manager

Hilton Garden Inn
12.2007 - 05.2011

Business Management

Milwaukee Area Technical College

B.S. - HR Management

University of Phoenix
TRA’KESHA FOSTER