Cobe Farris

About Cobe Farris

I am a People Operations Leader with 10+ years of diverse professional experience, including specific expertise in operational management and hands-on team leadership. I have a proven history of effectively implementing innovative new programs to strengthen accountability and operational consistency during periods of growth, change, or increased complexity. I have exceptional interpersonal skills including client relationship management, stakeholder engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and conflict resolution. I also have strong problem-solving and decision-making skills; able to achieve positive outcomes in challenging environments.

Experience

1. Client Care & Operations Manager

   Goodwill Northern Michigan

   Nov 2024 — Present · Traverse City, MI, US

   Serve as Manager of the only Goodwill Inn Emergency Homeless Shelter in the world, serving 120 clients.​​ Provide hybrid support 24/7 while leading people operations, directly managing 16-18 staff, and providing functional oversight for ~40 employees across 4 programs and 5 locations.​​ Conduct performance evaluations, manage employee and client grievances, lead corrective action processes, and work with HR leadership to ensure alignment with organizational policies and employment standards.​​ Design and implement scalable HR systems including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, corrective action, and leadership development.​​ Drive cross-functional workforce planning and operational consistency in a dynamic environment requiring flexibility through innovative staffing models, scheduling, workflow development, policy implementation, risk management, safety procedures, and cross-department coordination. ​​ Identify gaps in processes and build systems to improve efficiency, communication, and accountability by developing operational templates, documentation systems, onboarding materials, and workflow tools.​​ Maintain active relationships and operational coordination with 61 community partners.​​ Serve as a consultant on a shelter consolidation project, offering operational knowledge and insight as well as proposal development.KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: ​​ Developed a security and oversight model for a 64-unit housing program.​​ Played a key role in aligning operational practices with organizational values and accreditation standards, supporting the successful achievement of three-year CARF accreditation.​​ Improved accountability, service stability, and documentation quality by establishing trauma-informed supervisory standards and training procedures.​​ Enhanced employee retention and supported professional growth by implementing staff development pathways and tiered role structures.

Education

• Traverse City Central High School

  High School Diploma

  2015