Penny Wermescher
Lawrenceville,GA
Summary
PHR-certified Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience in HR management. Extensive experience in corporate, manufacturing, operations, sales, and customer service environments with a strong emphasis on managing employee relations issues, organizational development, benefits, payroll, recruiting, coaching, counseling, workers compensation case management, and training.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Human Resources Manager
AAF International
01.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: AAF International offers the most comprehensive clean air solutions available across the globe. Selling under the American Air Filter and the AAF International brand names, AAF International has been an industry pioneer since 1921 with manufacturing operations in 22 countries and over 6000 employees globally.
- Reporting to the corporate office in Louisville, KY, I am responsible for all HR functions for AAF’s manufacturing plant of approximately 125 employees in Duluth, Georgia. My primary responsibilities are:
- Serving as an advocate for employees as well as developing and implementing change initiatives designed to enhance employee engagement, development and productivity.
- Coordinating all aspects of the complete employee life-cycle: recruitment for all plant exempt and non-exempt roles, managing employee development, training, coaching, counseling, and advising on HR policies and employee relations issues, and transitioning through the exit process.
- Managing temporary employee positions and vendors.
- Coordinating and delivering the annual Open Enrollment event and individually guiding employees to successfully submit their elections.
- Tracking, developing and providing insightful people and market data to guide decision making and provide proactive solutions.
- Developing HR/people oriented programs to positively impact change and employee engagement by understanding and soliciting employee feedback and anticipating their needs and concerns.
- Coordinating annual performance evaluation process.
- Administering annual merit increase process.
- Delivering mandatory training, including monthly safety, annual harassment, and Code of Conduct training programs and updating LMS database.
- Updating Paylocity and coaching employees on how they can use it.
- Serving as the liaison between TPA and plant employees for FMLA/STD/ADA requests.
- Keeping employees updated regarding policy and practice changes.
Human Resources Manager
Pak-Lite, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2023
- Company Overview: Pak-Lite is the leading North American manufacturer of foam components, tapes, extrusions, insulation, flooring underlayment, dies cut parts, and custom packaging.
- Reporting to one of two owners, I was responsible for all human resources functions including benefits and payroll for a mid-size company (250 employees in two states). This position required managing multiple on-going responsibilities as well as daily unplanned situations. I was provided with many opportunities and challenges, including:
- Managing all benefit processes, including negotiating and coordinating the annual benefits renewal process which has also involved changing consulting companies and benefit providers numerous times.
- Overseeing and administering the 401(k) plan, including changing 401(k) TPA companies and enhancements to the plan multiple times.
- Coaching and advising management on issues such as employee performance and development, addressing employee concerns, and disciplinary actions
- Implementing programs which enhance employees’ work and home environments.
- Resolving HIPAA noncompliance situations.
- Instituting more detailed background checks in order to resolve employment eligibility documentation noncompliance issues.
- Being fully trained to backup Payroll Coordinator (a direct report).
- Managing change of payroll processing companies (from ADP to Paychex)
- Producing monthly manpower reports.
- Administering random drug testing program.
- Developing and facilitating all management training programs.
- Providing extensive recruiting including managing multiple temp agencies providing an average of 50 temporary associates per month.
- Resolving employee relations issues.
- Driving employee engagement initiatives.
- Successfully responding to written OSHA complaints.
- Participating in on-site OSHA inspections.
- Managing all compliance filings: EEO-1, 5500s for all benefit plans, Forms 941 and 1094-C/1095.
- Reconciling and processing vendor invoices, including all benefit provider invoices.
Human Resources Manager
Holox/LifeGas, a division of Linde Gas, LLC
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Company Overview: LifeGas develops and manufactures products and services that play significant roles in a variety of different areas of patient care within hospitals and clinics, homecare and long term care.
- Provided extensive recruiting and staffing assistance for eight new centers to reach goal of on-time opening and successful launch with over 80 new employees in 2004. Total hiring in 2004 was approximately 200 employees (resulting in over 350 total employees).
- Coordinated annual Affirmative Action Plan.
- Supervised employment administrator position.
- Developed and enhanced recruiting tools by designing benefits summary information, and developing new benchmarked positions for assessment tool and updating current benchmarks.
- Analyzed and updated job descriptions.
- Actively involved in field recruiting by placing ads, screening resumes, conducting telephone interviews and traveling to field locations to administer assessments and conduct interviews.
- Developed and delivered recruiting and interviewing training for field managers by designing written information to guide managers in the processes and delivering training to groups of managers.
- Promoted HR and our resources by making field location visits and communicating HR resources available to them, resulting in high employee comfort level with HR.
- Actively involved in employee relations issues, investigations, unemployment claims.
- Monitored and reported headcount information, including administering recruitment request approval process and monthly headcount reporting.
Human Resources Manager
Holox/LifeGas
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Administered human resources functions for 2 regions and corporate office for Holox and entire LifeGas business unit (approximately 500 employees). Conducted training sessions in Corporate Office and field locations. Investigated employee relations issues, internal and legal complaints. Provided guidance to managers regarding policies and procedures. Responsibilities also included staffing, training, coaching and supervising HR Administrator position.
Employment Administrator
Holox, Ltd., a division of Linde
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Administered new hire process, including pre-hire screenings, processing all documentation and entering information into ADP HR Perspective. Assisted with recruiting efforts. Conducted training and counseled managers in employee relations and policy and procedure compliance issues.
Education
High School Diploma -
Clarkston High School
Skills
- Employee relations
- HR policies and procedures
- Benefits administration
- Payroll management
- Employee engagement
- Performance appraisal
- Training development
- Staff management
- Compensation and benefits
Certification
HRCI PHR - expires 08/2028
Timeline
Human Resources Manager
AAF International
01.2023 - Current
Human Resources Manager
Pak-Lite, Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2023
Human Resources Manager
Holox/LifeGas, a division of Linde Gas, LLC
01.2004 - 01.2006
Human Resources Manager
Holox/LifeGas
01.2001 - 01.2003
Employment Administrator
Holox, Ltd., a division of Linde
01.1999 - 01.2001
High School Diploma -
Clarkston High School
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