Chris Bessenecker

Human Resources Business Partner @Materne North America - Gogo Squeez

Traverse City, MI, US

Materne North America Corp (food manufacturing – GoGo SqueeZ brand) Driving change agent for global company based in Europe with sites in Michigan, Idaho, New York City, along with multiple satellite sales offices throughout the USA and Mexico.(600+ employees)• Achieved reduction in budget forecast for 2014 by $1.5 million (training in waste handling, supply chain development, re-alignment of an individual department for addition / restructuring of headcount, and overall training/validation). Responsible for managing Human Resources Department budget (training, relocation, visa processing, community outreach events, offsite employee programs, rewards, in-branding and community branding, recruiting, etc…).• Policy development and implementation with site HRBPs and management participation and alignment.• Community outreach programs through daily donations to local food banks, local associations, chamber of commerce, local colleges and high schools. Co-sponsorship of 2015 National Cherry Festival manned with voluntary employee group from assisting at multiple locations at festival, float building/participation, sample product giveaways, and local media. Additional sponsored events throughout the year.• Off-site team building programs for multiple levels of employees each year.• Volume of Sales increased by 42% for 2014. We were able to achieve demand supply with existing shift structure and minimal additional headcount.• Develop and maintain metrics on staffing, retention, training and budget through SQCDME approach.• Manage employee relations matters in a responsive manner to ensure issues are appropriately addressed immediately while ensuring a productive work environment.• International employment relocation from France, J-1 Visa processing for VIE status, cultural assistance for new hires from Europe.• Korn Ferry Leadership Architect and 360 programs certified.