Tamelia Culliver
Powder Springs
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience in talent acquisition, employee relations, and organizational development. Expertise in cultivating positive workplace cultures, optimizing HR processes, and aligning HR strategies with overarching business goals. Proven success in recruiting top-tier talent, designing impactful training programs, and ensuring compliance with labor laws and corporate policies. Renowned for exceptional interpersonal skills, strategic problem-solving abilities, and a steadfast commitment to enhancing employee engagement and driving organizational success.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mgr, HR Business Partner
Smurfit Westrock
08.2023 - Current
- Supported approximately 880 employees across several business groups: IT (Group & Region), Communications (Group & Region), Group Creative Services, Group Finance, Legal (Group & Region), EHS, Group Finance and Sustainability
- Developed strategic operational plans and partnerships to enhance efficiency and reduce costs across multiple departments.
- Led cross-functional teams to implement process improvements, ensuring alignment with organizational goals with the use of data and analytics
- Oversaw project timelines and resource allocation, driving successful completion of key initiatives.
- Mentored staff members to foster skill development and enhance team performance in operational tasks.
- Led initiatives to strengthen the talent and succession pipeline through the Internship and Technology Leadership Development Program
- Championed initiatives that enhance employee engagement, inclusion, and well-being
- Ensured HR practices are aligned with legal requirements, internal policies, and ethical standards
HR Business Partner
International Paper
01.2018 - 08.2023
- Business Partner: Collaborated with front-line management to institute work system improvements that positively influenced business results and profitability.
- Recruiting: Collaborated with hiring managers to develop job descriptions, developed robust pipelines for several business groups, posted open positions using the Success Factors system, conducted full-cycle recruiting for internal applicants, interviewed intern candidates through the Intern Blitz process, and screened applicants during college recruiting events.
- Leadership Development, Engagement, and Diversity: educated, coached, and counseled members of the organization on job performance, employee development, and diversity to build work teams that fully contribute to meeting or exceeding goals. Trained and facilitated engagement impact planning and implementation efforts.
- Training: Educated and coached front-line management on people leadership skills and applicable federal and state regulations to ensure fair and consistent delivery of human resources products and services. Provided training on HR and business processes and initiatives such as Performance and Development Roadmap, Engagement Survey and Capability Building, and Employee Performance evaluations.
- Promoted and participated in the planning and implementation of communication strategies that deliver accurate, consistent, and timely information on business issues and employee concerns.
- Employee Relations and Personnel Administration: worked with front-line leaders and employees to ensure timely personnel changes were processed. Served as a point of contact for issue resolution of employee compensation, benefits, leaves of absence, and FMLA concerns.
- Streamlined onboarding processes, reducing time-to-hire from one week to 3 days which enhanced the new hire experience.
- Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives cultivating a welcoming organizational culture for all employees by increasing female representation in the Fiber Supply field by 50% in a two year time frame.
HR Generalist
US Foods
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Key player in developing departmental goals and objectives and executing plans to achieve goals successfully.
- Collaborate with HR Shared Services to maintain Human Resource Information System (HRIS) records and produce reports.
- Utilize sound judgment and excellent decision-making skills to investigate and resolve employee complaints. Escalate issues to Area HR Business Partner when appropriate.
- Facilitate a positive work environment through collaborative programs and process development with Area HR Business Partners.
- Proactively manage staff relationships and HR management through employee relation activities, including providing structured feedback sessions and facilitating employee recognition programs.
- Assist in developing compensation offers and support recruiting efforts through attending job fairs, college recruiting fairs, and trade shows; conduct full cycle recruiting recruitment.
- Create, develop, and arrange for advertising and posting job vacancies; notify eligible applicants of position availability.
- Educate, mentor, and train managers regarding proper interviewing, selection, and recordkeeping guidelines.
- Manage Distribution Center’s annual Affirmative Action Plan, maintain documentation of personnel activities according to organizational guidelines and standards, and participate in discussions with employees in compliance with ADA and support the Workers Compensation Program.
- Assist and collaborate with managers in preparing Individual Development Plans and Performance Improvement plans.
- Maintain documentation relating to personnel activities such as staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, and disciplinary actions.
HR Manager
Lowes Home Improvement
01.2004 - 01.2016
- Effectively recruited, selected, hired, and trained new employees. Conducted new employee orientation; collaborated with new employee orientation group to ensure assimilation success.
- Provided on-site all human resources management, balancing individual and company needs within stated company policies and procedures.
- Anticipated and planned for talent needs; worked closely with senior management to determine future staffing requirements.
- Motivated and retained existing talent. Strengthened communications with employees to build effective relationships.
- Consistently and effectively applied corporate policies, sound management practices, and legal requirements.
- Counseled employees; resolved personnel issues; practiced sound employee relations principles.
- Remained current on changing legal requirements and ensured the company's practice complies. Exercised all EEOC guidelines, Human Resources best practices, policies, and procedures.
- Provided unemployment insurance and Workers’ Compensation mediation.
- Identified strategies to maximize human capital; assisted in developing and implementing programs focused on that goal.
- Ensured a stable and consistent structure to manage employee services delivery.
- Managed employee relations issues, promoting a positive workplace culture and resolving conflicts effectively by reducing employee hotline complaints by 10%.
HR Call Center Representative II
Regions Financial Corporation
03.1998 - 01.2004
- Provided company-wide HR support via telephone and email to employees, answering employee questions and assisting them with completing HR transactions.
- Tracked all calls needing follow-up or additional research using the internal call tracking database.
- Researched all inquiries and requests requiring additional attention.
- Identified and escalated priority issues by routing calls to offices or individuals.
- Established and maintained strong working relationships with other HR team members. Acquired valuable generalist experience in staffing, performance management, program coordination, and workforce development.
- Trained new employees in policies, procedures, and information.
- Assisted in planning and executing special programs.
Customer Service Call Center Representative I
Customer Service Call Center
01.1998 - 03.2000
- Handled customer service calls in a fast-paced environment regarding various accounts, loan applications, and credit cards. Maintained a positive and cooperative tone with customers and coworkers.
- Excellent organizational skills
- Sought to achieve one-call resolution of customer issues, escalated others to appropriate departments.
- Executed banking transactions and cross-sold products and special promotions.
- Provided superlative customer service while meeting prescribed call quotas.
- Completed ongoing training to stay abreast of product, service, and policy changes.
- Created and maintained call logs and call reports.
- Initiated cold calls to business and private individuals; obtained possible customer leads.
Education
BS - Business Administration
Auburn University At Montgomery
Montgomery, AL12-2002
Skills
- SAP, Kronos, MS Office, ADP, TALX Unemployment Claim System, Power BI
- PeopleSoft, Yello, Taleo, Career Portal, E-Driver, E-Verify, Navex, SuccessFactors, Avature, Beqom
- NuCompass Mobility, Sterling Talent Solutions, Concur Expense, WebEx, Compliance 360, MS Teams
- Time management, Complex Problem-solving, Cross-functional teamwork, Interpersonal relations, Employee coaching and mentoring
Certification
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certification-USF Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education, June 2021
- DDI Facilitator Certification, December 2022
- 360 Feedback Facilitator Certification, March 2018
Timeline
Mgr, HR Business Partner
Smurfit Westrock
08.2023 - Current
HR Business Partner
International Paper
01.2018 - 08.2023
HR Generalist
US Foods
01.2016 - 01.2018
HR Manager
Lowes Home Improvement
01.2004 - 01.2016
HR Call Center Representative II
Regions Financial Corporation
03.1998 - 01.2004
Customer Service Call Center Representative I
Customer Service Call Center
01.1998 - 03.2000
BS - Business Administration
Auburn University At Montgomery
Awards
IP Way Forward Leadership Award, August 2019
Change Management Champion, September 2025
Mid-Level Manager's Symposium (MLMS) Nomination, October 2025
Interests
- Society for Human Resource Management
- Mid-Level Manager's Symposium
- AABA
- Meals on Wheels
- Atlanta Community Food Bank