Vanessa Willis
Hilliard
Summary
Seasoned Human Resources Business Partner with over 15 years of experience in employee relations, workplace investigations, and HR compliance across diverse sectors. Skilled in performance management, benefits administration, and strategic partnership, consistently enhancing HR processes and fostering strong manager relationships to align business goals with employee engagement.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
HR Business Partner
Walor North America
Columbus
05.2025 - Current
- Partner with plant leadership to support approximately 330 hourly and salaried employees in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Collaborated with operations leadership on workforce planning, recruiting, and employee engagement initiatives to enhance retention strategies.
- Advise managers on employee relations, disciplinary actions, investigations, corrective action, and performance management.
- Conduct workplace investigations involving policy violations, employee complaints, attendance, harassment, and behavioral concerns while ensuring legal compliance.
- Administered FMLA, ADA accommodations, workers' compensation, unemployment, and leave administration to ensure legal compliance and support employee needs.
- Process bi-weekly payroll for hourly, salaried, and contract employees while ensuring compliance and payroll accuracy.
- Developed HR policies and manager guidance while creating employee communications to improve consistency and ensure compliance.
Human Resources Professional
1st Impressions Landscape & Garden Center
Sunbury
01.2024 - 05.2025
- Developed comprehensive onboarding programs that helped new employees acclimate and fostered a positive work environment.
- Enhanced employee engagement by implementing innovative HR policies and procedures that encouraged participation and collaboration.
- Collaborated with department managers to assess staffing needs proactively, optimizing workforce planning strategies.
- Managed employee relations issues by mediating conflicts and providing solutions aligned with company values, improving team dynamics and morale.
- Prepared and organized bills receivable and invoices for accurate financial reporting.
- Processed incoming payments by following established financial policies for accuracy.
- Reconciled daily accounts receivable ledger to ensure accurate financial records.
- Executed weekly payroll processing for all employees to ensure timely payments.
Co-Owner/Human Resources/Business Manager
JB Willis LLC
Hilliard
01.2010 - 12.2023
- Managed full-cycle recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, compensation, and payroll administration.
- Directed all human resources functions for a transportation company with up to 25 employees and independent contractors.
- Developed HR policies, employee documentation, and business procedures to enhance compliance and streamline operational efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with DOT regulations, driver qualification files, drug and alcohol testing requirements, hours-of-service documentation, and employment laws.
- Administered payroll, benefits, tax reporting, workers' compensation, unemployment claims, and HR record keeping.
- Managed company financial operations, including budgeting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll taxes, financial reporting, and cash flow management.
- Oversaw financial planning and budgeting for sustainable growth.
- Partnered with leadership to align strategic planning, workforce planning, and budgeting with business growth objectives.
- Managed daily operations to optimize business functionality and support team productivity.
Human Resources Generalist Manager
National Youth Advocate Program
Columbus
02.2008 - 11.2009
- Collaborated with executive team on all HR issues and developed strategic business plan
- Managed unemployment claims, implementing appeals process and training management on termination procedures to decrease rates. Developed and implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state and contractual standards
- Oversaw Worker's Compensation claims, worked with TPA to minimize rates and keep costs to a minimum, conducted safety training based on accident analysis — attained group rating due to ability to decrease accidents and settlement of several outstanding and dormant claims
- Implemented and oversaw vendor relationship for Benefit Administration, including migrating from paper enrollment to online enrollment for employees
- Administered 401(k) program, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing filing of 5500, and overseeing enrollment and termination processes.
- Conducted exit interviews, recommended retention efforts based on analyzing data and trends
- Researched and utilized low-cost recruiting strategies, resulting in 50% reduction in recruiting costs through job fairs, websites, and advertising.
- Developed and analyzed employee survey to improve on employee satisfaction, while increasing staff's trust in organization's management efforts
Human Resources Specialist
Scotts Miracle Gro Company
Marysville
12.2001 - 02.2008
- Provided corporate HR support for national sales field comprised of 350 full time and 1500 seasonal employees
- Supported recruitment efforts for national sales field, enhancing talent acquisition process
- Managed bi-weekly payroll for 1500 seasonal sales associates using in-house payroll system, addressing inquiries and discrepancies
- Maintained organizational structure within SAP for entire company, including two large sales divisions with > 1500 seasonal employees
- Supervised 4 HR Coordinators, facilitating resolution of complex HRIS issues
- Developed and instructed training material for new hire orientation, payroll activities and “best practices” for HR activities
- Received, reviewed and input Associate Transaction forms which consisted of any personnel change
- Maintained high ethical standards in HR practices and implemented Sarbanes Oxley audits
- Award recipient of 4 different quarterly STAR awards, given for community service and operational excellence
Education
Some College (No Degree) - HR Management
Franklin University
Columbus, OH07-2026
Skills
- Workplace investigations
- Employee relations coaching
- Performance management
- Talent management
- Succession planning
- Policy development
- Benefits strategy development
- HR analytics
- Payroll administration
- LOA administration
- ADA management
- Supervisor training
Timeline
HR Business Partner
Walor North America
05.2025 - Current
Human Resources Professional
1st Impressions Landscape & Garden Center
01.2024 - 05.2025
Co-Owner/Human Resources/Business Manager
JB Willis LLC
01.2010 - 12.2023
Human Resources Generalist Manager
National Youth Advocate Program
02.2008 - 11.2009
Human Resources Specialist
Scotts Miracle Gro Company
12.2001 - 02.2008
Some College (No Degree) - HR Management
Franklin University