Amanda Menin
Verified Expert in Finance
Organizational Design and People Strategy Expert
Sioux City, IA, United States
Toptal member since February 14, 2024
Amanda is an organizational design and people strategy expert specializing in strategic consulting for HR strategy, organizational development, talent management, and change management. She brings a diverse background in HR leadership, organizational development consulting, and data analytics to drive organizational success through innovative, client-focused solutions.
Career Highlights
Education Highlights
Certification Highlights
Case Studies
Expertise
- Conflict Resolution
- Data Analytics
- HR/Workforce Transformation
- Labor Relations
- Management Consulting
- Organizational Behavior (OB)
- Organizational Change Management (OCM)
- Organizational Development
Work Experience
Qualtrics Research Expert
G. H. Smart & Company, LLC
- Administered and managed the end-to-end process of running surveys, ensuring high-quality data collection and maintenance.
- Developed and implemented templates for surveys and reports to standardize and streamline the analysis process for recurring projects.
- Utilized the Qualtrics platform to its full potential, including its analysis and research components, to deliver insightful reports to clients.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts within the company to translate their requirements into technical solutions using Qualtrics.
- Improved and customized survey methodologies and reporting techniques continuously to meet the client's evolving needs.
Senior Partner | Colleague and Labor Relations
MercyOne
- Oversaw colleague and labor relations at a Level III trauma hospital.
- Provided specialized expertise, legal counsel, and consultation on the planning, definition, and application of colleague and labor relations policies, processes, programs, and initiatives within the hospital.
- Provided colleague and labor relations expertise to coach and counsel management by resolving complex and high-risk colleague and labor relations matters.
- Worked collaboratively with regional directors, HRBPs, management, and leadership to identify, manage, and mitigate organizational risk by ensuring HR compliance and consistency in delivering colleague and labor relations services.
- Measured and monitored the impact of broad and overarching colleague and labor relations programs and initiatives by collecting actionable data, conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis, and developing necessary remediation plans.
- Managed the problem resolution/grievance process involving complex and sensitive colleague and labor relations matters. Conducted investigations as needed, documented findings and outcomes, and made recommendations to management for resolution.
- Resolved high-risk and sensitive colleague and labor relations matters by developing and supporting strategy development and completion of large, complex investigations, data collection and corroboration of facts, and recommendations for resolution.
HR Manager
Hearthside Food Solutions
- Managed HR operations of a 500-employee, unionized food manufacturing plant during a major turnaround. Reported to the HR director, who oversaw 17 plants, and reported to the CHRO of this billion-dollar company that manufactures Girl Scout cookies.
- Increased efficiency by reallocating tasks, such as timekeeping, performance management, and uniform distribution, from HR to relevant departments. This saved $120,000 by eliminating two temporary positions with minimal operational disruption.
- Implemented efficiency measures to eliminate a daily 1-hour conference call involving five participants, resulting in annual savings of $51,000. Eliminated unnecessary overtime expenditures within HR, resulting in a yearly cost savings of $40,000.
- Provided management consulting to the supervisor, management, and senior management teams at the North Sioux City location. Advised on matters such as employee accountability, employment law, and labor relations.
- Maintained exemplary employee and labor relations, resulting in a track record of zero legal cases or arbitrations throughout my tenure.
- Reconciled deeply strained relationships with two labor unions, fostering a climate of improved cooperation and diminished hostility between the company and the unions. This led to a more efficient labor relations process.
- Revitalized an underperforming HR department by conducting job analyses, redefining job descriptions and performance metrics, and enforcing accountability measures. This resulted in a drastic 50% reduction in role conflict on the team.
- Delivered leadership training to supervisors, encompassing modules on effective communication, investigative procedures, labor principles, and fostering a civil workplace environment. This yielded a 75% reduction in Step 2 employee grievances.
- Managed the benefits open enrollment for 500 employees and conducted a comprehensive I-9 audit spanning three years, completing it within three months.
- Directed the plant's annual performance review and merit increase process, ensuring timely completion within designated timeframes.
Organizational Development Consultant
State of South Dakota
- Served as the dedicated consultant to the governor's office, the Department of Labor, the Department of Social Services, Tourism, and the Bureau of Human Resources. Worked in collaboration with agency leadership and the HR manager for each agency.
- Oversaw the data integration component within the Cornerstone learning management system integration with the state's relational database. This initiative impacted 8,500+ state employees and was completed on time.
- Obtained the Civil Treatment Workplace for Leaders certification and facilitated several formal 3-hour classes for 50+ state leaders.
- Facilitated a strategic planning workshop focused on re-engaging the workforce at a state mental hospital in collaboration with the hospital's CEO and the dedicated HR manager.
- Led multiple initiatives aimed at re-engaging teams and retaining top talent, securing full support from leadership. These endeavors yielded highly successful outcomes, earning accolades and rave reviews from senior management.
- Served as the dedicated data specialist within the OD team, recognized for my expertise in reporting, dashboard creation, and delivering crucial data-driven insights essential for informed decision-making by team members and clients.
- Acquired a certification in conflict resolution and effectively resolved conflicts within multiple teams, mitigating situations that could have led to significant legal ramifications for the state. This work also fostered talent retention.
- Represented the State of South Dakota at a national HR conference, focusing on the technology aspects within HR.
- Conducted regular one-on-one consultations with executive and managerial clients, offering guidance on navigating organizational change and fostering employee engagement and team well-being.
- Disseminated insights from the annual employee engagement survey to executive leadership across five state agencies, then communicated findings and actionable recommendations to their respective management teams.
Human Resources Director
IML Containers United States
- Oversaw all aspects of the HR operations at a 75-employee, food-grade container manufacturing plant for a company with $30 million in annual revenue. Reported and consulted to the CHRO (located in Mexico) on US employment law and practices.
- Mitigated turnover and ensured adequate staffing levels at the plant amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and a highly competitive job market. The plant experiences zero downtime events due to a lack of staffing.
- Achieved a pristine record of zero lawsuits or OSHA recordables during my tenure. Underwent two external audits, receiving exceptionally positive evaluations and a designation as the gold standard for other plans to follow.
- Cultivated a workplace environment renowned for its desirability, evidenced by a significant portion of new hires being either rehires or referrals from existing employees without a referral bonus program.
- Formulated an updated attendance policy characterized by objectivity and enforceability to supplant the subjective policy inherited; the previous policy's subjectivity posed a legal risk and raised fairness apprehensions within the company.
- Designed, implemented, and analyzed the annual employee engagement survey, furnishing management with actionable insights. This initiative notably enhanced employee engagement within the plant, as employees reported feeling heard and valued.
- Collaborated with the leadership team to formulate the strategic plan for the plant. Provided management training on effective communication and follow-up, resulting in a 60% drop in HR-escalated complaints.
- Redesigned the new-hire orientation, optimizing the process to enhance professionalism, inclusivity, and knowledge delivery. This resulted in a 50% reduction is employee relations issues.
- Encountered a workplace culture when brought in, where some employees would intentionally injure themselves to claim workers' compensation benefits. Effectively revamped the safety program, halting this detrimental practice.
- Testimonial: "Congrats - best of luck to you. You did a great job turning around the culture here. I hope it sticks." – Loss Control Consultant, 3rd-arty Worker's Compensation Carrier Company.
Senior Trade Analyst
Wells Enterprises
- Reported to the senior manager of organizational effectiveness at Blue Bunny ice cream maker, with $1.2 billion in annual revenue.
- Acknowledged for my exceptional proficiency in data analysis, notably in Tableau. Assumed the role of the primary resource for Tableau inquiries and training new hires.
- Developed a customer error discrepancy tool that optimized the analysis process, resulting in annual cost savings of approximately $72,000 for the company.
- Demonstrated a collaborative mindset by assisting financial analysts from a different department during periods of staffing shortages.
Business Analyst
FIMCO Industries
- Reported and consulted to the CFO/CHRO, functioning as the sole business analyst for a company with 300 employees and $73.7 million in annual revenue. Managed diverse data domains: marketing, accounting, operations, HR, and finance.
- Revamped analytics: inherited neglected SSRS dashboards, seamlessly integrated Tableau with the database, and reverse-engineered reports for enhanced efficiency. This put valuable data into the hands of end users, empowering rapid decision-making.
- Identified a shipping discount discrepancy resulting in substantial financial losses for the company. Upon notifying the CFO, appropriate measures were taken to address and rectify the issue.
- Leveraged Excel and Microsoft SQL to generate ad hoc reports for the CEO and executive leadership, guaranteeing prompt delivery of accurate and insightful data.
- Provided data-driven recommendations for online project advertising strategies.
Business Intelligence Analyst
Hirschbach Motorlines
- Reported and consulted with the VP of people at a trucking company with $20 million in annual revenue and 350 office employees. Acted as her trusted data advisor.
- Acquired proficiency in Tableau and Microsoft SQL quickly, then developed executive-level dashboards and ad hoc reporting tailored for senior HR leadership, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
- Developed a Tableau recruiting map enabling truck driver recruiters to input applicant zip codes, swiftly identifying available accounts by location. This significantly enhanced operational efficiency and reduced errors.
- Served as the facility's data specialist, developing Tableau dashboards and reporting tools. Oversaw deployment, managed change, and conducted end-user training for the new tools.
Education
Master's Degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology
Bellevue University - Bellevue, Nebraska, USA
Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability Management
Bellevue University - Bellevue, Nebraska, USA
Certifications
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Council for Six Sigma Certification
PMI-ACP
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Continuous Improvement Professional Award
Management & Strategy Institute
Change Management Specialist
Management and Strategy Institute
Certified Labor Relations Professional
Michigan State University
Civil Treatment Workplace Instructor
ELI
ToP Facilitation Methods
The Institute of Cultural Affairs
Conflict Resolution Certificate
Cornell University
SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SCP)
Society for Human Resource Management
Professional in Human Resources (PHR)
HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
Skills
Output Software
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Google Sheets, Alchemy, SharePoint
Finance
Data Analysis, Business Advisory, Due Diligence, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Management Accounting
Data & Analysis Software
Tableau, IBM SSPS, IBM SPSS, Financial Data
Industry Expertise
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Legal Counsel
Other
Change Management, Employee Engagement, Talent Attraction and Retention, Organizational Change Management (OCM), HR/Workforce Transformation, Culture, Organizational Communication, Communication Strategy, Communication, Empathy, Email, Flexibility, Gmail, In-depth Interviews, Time Management, Typing, VLOOKUP, Zoom, Ethics, Behavioral Science, Business Psychology, ADKAR Change Model, Microsoft Power BI, Survey Design, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Data Analytics, Organizational Design, Organizational Analysis, Organizational Structure, Organizational Behavior (OB), Organizational Assessment, Organizational Leadership, Stakeholder Analysis, Leadership, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI), Relationship Management, Interpersonal Skills, Business, Consulting, Analytics, Implementation, Conflict Resolution, Complex Problem Solving, Conversation, Arbitration & Mediation, Strategic Planning, Planning, Consensus Building, Dispute Resolution, Acquisitions, Corporate Culture, Qualtrics, Psychology, Job Analysis, Performance Appraisals, Recruiting, Psychometric Design, Research, Data Visualization, Descriptive Statistics, Employee Relations, Surveys, Quantitative Analysis, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Performance Management, Strategic Workforce Planning, Team Leadership, Team Building, Team Mentoring, Talent Strategy, Dashboard Design, Oracle, Cornerstone Talent Experience Platform, Diagnostics, Job Descriptions, Hiring, Employee Training, Organizational Development, Organizational Management, Organizational Restructuring, Organizational Transformation, Organizational Strategy & Design, Branding, Proposals, Training, Business Coaching, Trusted Advisor, Reports, Blogging, Performance Analysis, Insight Reporting, SurveyMonkey, Training & Training Content Development, Training Content, Collaboration, Cross-functional Collaboration, Executive Support, Interviews, Restructuring, Organization, Organization Building, Teaching, Advisory, Coaching, Mentorship & Coaching, Executive Coaching, Career Coaching, Data, Data Collection, Dashboards, Data-informed Recommendations, Systemic Change, Culture Management, Culture Development, Change Readiness Assessment, Performance Tuning, Employee Upskilling, Employee Data Management, Employee Communication, Employee Experience, User Empathy, Empowerment, Continuous Improvement, Innovation, Strategy, Succession Planning, Growth, Management Consulting, Big Data, Cost Cutting (Cost-out), Organizational Effectiveness, Team Effectiveness, Graphs, HRIS, HR Tools, HR Analytics, HR Transformation, Human Factors, Human Capital Strategy, Human Capital Management, Research Reports, SWOT Analysis, Teams, Texting, Teamwork, Turnaround, Turnaround Management, User Surveys, Warehouses, Data Wrangling, Content Writing, Writing & Editing, Clients, Data Entry, Social Work, Customer Service, Customer Analysis, Client Relations, Troubleshooting, Process Improvement, Impact Assessment, Root Cause Analysis, Instruction & Coaching, Monitoring, User Feedback, Talent Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Business Operations, Operations, Oracle HCM Cloud, Business Strategy, Agile Project Management, Operational Excellence, Microsoft SQL Server, Statistics, Cost Accounting, Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS), Facilitation, Labor Relations, Labor Arbitration, Organizational Compliance, Project Management, Human Resources (HR), Labor Contract Management, Management, Safety, Team Management, Workday, Training Workshops, Lecturing, Compliance, Client Presentations, Presentation Design, Focus Groups, Analysis, Sustainability Strategy, Client Success, Recruitment, Canva, Databases, Documentation, Labor Efficiency Analysis, Operational Efficiency Improvement, Environment, Essays, Event Planning, Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS), Data Handling, Heatmaps, Hiring Process Development, Hypothesis Testing, Record Keeping, Slack, Testing, Value Chain, 5 Whys, Payroll & Benefits, Medical Applications, Interviewing, Community Outreach, IT Helpdesk, Reporting, Manufacturing, Business Law, Administrative Procedures, Leadership Development, Business Transformation, General Accounting, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Teachable Machine, DataRobot, Team Restructuring, Corporate Restructuring, Agile Transformation, Agile, Scrum, Lean, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Forecasting, Statistical Analysis, DMAIC, Strategic Design, Data Reporting, Project Management & Delivery, Design
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