Vice President of Human Resources – Large, National, Nursery Wholesaler – Located in Dayton, Oregon

Job Description

Vice President of Human Resources – Large, National, Nursery Wholesaler – Located in Dayton, Oregon

Acumen Executive Search is delighted to partner with Monrovia Nursery to find their next Vice President of Human Resources. Monrovia exists to “grow beautifully”. Monrovia is dedicated to creating a more beautiful world by selecting and growing plants of superior quality. They know that creating a beautiful garden or landscape is about connecting to the beauty of nature. Monrovia uses our hearts, minds, and hands to nurture plants for all types of landscapes. Their passion for plants, use of natural processes, and years of experience (99 years) result in plants that enable consumers to achieve a landscape of exceptional beauty and share in the joy that comes from creating healthy living spaces. 

The Vice President (VP) of Human Resources (HR) is the strategic HR business partner to the leadership team and reports directly to the President/CEO. The company has four nurseries in the United States with 1300 FTE employees and approximately an additional 300 seasonal workers.  The VP of HR is responsible for support of business objectives, strategic goals, and human resources initiatives. The VP of HR is a trusted advisor to employees (Craftsman) and business leaders regarding HR policies, drives and supports processes to optimize Craftsman engagement, align hiring with organizational goals, and the support of Monrovia’s long-tenured Craftsman. The position has a special focus on providing and developing best-in-class HR programs, processes, and strategic initiatives that drive long-term business results.

 
If You:

• Serve as a strategic business and thought partner to the CEO and Leadership Team across the US and business units such as Operations, R&D, Marketing, and Sales.
• Understand Labor Laws in multiple States.
• Offer guidance, consulting, and coaching on various people initiatives, including conflict resolution, performance management, and Craftsman/employee engagement.
• Able to bring your corporate experience to oversee Horticulture/Agricultural policies and processes, including those at the different operations sites.
• Manage the departmental budget.
• Ability to work in the office (Dayton, Oregon) with some flexibility for remote.
• Ability to travel to other locations, approximately 20% of the time.

Then, this may be the next leadership opportunity for you.

Essential Job Duties

Strategic Business Partnering  

The Vice President of Human Resources sets, evaluates, and enforces value-focused, MNQ/Lean Six Sigma-driven, and legally compliant human resources policies, procedures, and best practices. The VP of HR is also responsible for identifying and implementing long-range strategic talent management goals including career development, diversity, and oversight of Monrovia’s transition planning initiative.  Participating with Leadership Team in key meetings, strategic discussions, and other business-critical activities.  Some travel to our other nurseries in Georgia, Connecticut, and California is expected (20% of time).                        

• Provide guidance and leadership to the Human Resources team at all nurseries.
• Collaborate in the resolution of human resources, compensation, staffing, and benefits concerns, investigations, and critical issues that may arise throughout the company.
• Partner with executive leadership to define the company’s long-term mission and goals; identify ways to support this mission through talent management.
• Research, develop, and implement competitive compensation, benefits, and craftsman incentive programs.
• Maintain knowledge and ensure compliance with all Federal and State laws, regulations, mandates, and requirements.
• Ensure legal and regulatory documents are filed timely.
• Update and maintain company policies and handbook.
• Oversee all Monrovia craftsman recognition programs.
• Proactively identify trends and initiatives to reduce risk and craftsmen injuries. 
• Provide oversight of investment strategy and fund selection in tandem with investment committee.
• Maintain accurate retirement data to ensure ERISA and 5500 filing compliance, profit sharing allocation, and year-end testing.
• Partner with VP, Organizational Development in overseeing all training and development. 
• Apply and model the principles of MNQ/Lean Six Sigma in all activities to ensure continuous improvement in all departmental processes.
• Develop work structures in Paycor and ensure data integrity is entered and maintained accurately. 
• Research, develop, and implement sound practices for human resources compliance in companywide matters.  
• Oversee Monrovia’s transition planning initiative to provide continuity in the most critical management positions.
• Maintain effective ongoing communication with direct reports to ensure goals and responsibilities are met.
• Partner with Chief Executive Officer on the design and implementation of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan.
• Manage annual companywide progress review process.
• Collaborate with Chief Financial Officer on annual merit increase process.
• Draft and implement the human resources department budget.
• Establish metrics for managing department effectiveness and measuring the impact of the department on the business.
• Participate in professional development, networking and conferences to maintain standards expected for professional certification eligibility.
• Performs other related duties to benefit the mission of the company as assigned.

People Leadership, Values and Culture                                                                     

• Reference Monrovia’s values of fairness, respect, opportunity, and pride of craftsmanship as a starting point in the execution of duties.
• Model and demonstrate the highest level of legal and ethical behavior.
• Foster a workplace culture that emphasizes the health and well-being of all craftsmen. 
• Analyze HR Processes across the company to identify, recommend, and implement opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with culture and experience team in support of programs aligned with the company Mission and Values.
• Role model the mission, vision, and values and supports the ongoing development of the organization’s culture

Compliance Management                                                                                                           

• Oversee legal compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, wage & hour laws, as well as employee safety, welfare, wellness and health.
• Ensure compliance of all HR policies, reduce risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Review and recommend changes to company policies, procedures, and practices to implement industry best practices.

 QUALIFICATIONS

 Education/Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of human resource-related experience with at least 3 years' people management experience, talent management, and succession planning.

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, organizational Design, or equivalent experience required. Master's degree preferred.
• SHRM Certified credential preferred.
• Prior experience in manufacturing is required
• Are bilingual, English/Spanish in verbal and written form.
• Achieved and maintain your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification. 

 Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Skilled at developing strong relationships with senior executives across the organization, earning high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust.
• Demonstrate high integrity, competence, and a positive attitude that inspires trust.
• Effective collaborator, building strong partnerships with diverse, cross-functional, and regional teams.
• Proficient in identifying and managing stakeholders, understanding their needs, concerns, and adapting accordingly.
• Strong organizational development and project management skills, with the ability to develop and execute comprehensive strategies and programs.
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Highly organized, able to multitask and manage competing priorities with precision.
• Comfortable working with ambiguous, unclear, or conflicting information.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong leadership capabilities.
• Extensive knowledge of multiple human resources disciplines, including compensation.
• Thorough understanding of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Have working knowledge of and experience with varied human resources information systems.
• Are proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Are proficient in using Paycor, Oracle HCM, or similar Human Capital Management (HCM) systems.

To apply or see our other positions available, please go to Acumen Executive Search to submit a resume indicating your interest in the opportunity. If our current open positions are not the right fit for you and you would like us to share relevant opportunities, please send your resume and a brief cover to info@AcumenESearch.com.

Established in 2007, Acumen is recognized as the leading certified woman-owned Executive Search Partner in the Pacific Northwest with a global clientele.  We deliver high-impact results and higher than national average retention rates while nurturing genuine long-term relationships.  Acumen works shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients to deliver customized, meaningful, and proven leadership solutions that empower organizational success.

Keywords: Vice President of Human Resources, VP of HR, VP Human Resources, Vice President HR, Director of People, HR, Human Resources, culture

 If You:

• Serve as a strategic business and thought partner to the CEO and Leadership Team across the US and business units such as Operations, R&D, Marketing, and Sales.
• Understand Labor Laws in multiple States.
• Offer guidance, consulting, and coaching on various people initiatives, including conflict resolution, performance management, and Craftsman/employee engagement.
• Able to bring your corporate experience to oversee Horticulture/Agricultural policies and processes, including those at the different operations sites.
• Manage the departmental budget.
• Ability to work in the office (Dayton, Oregon) with some flexibility for remote.
• Ability to travel to other locations, approximately 20% of the time.

Then, this may be the next leadership opportunity for you.

Essential Job Duties

 Strategic Business Partnering  

The Vice President of Human Resources sets, evaluates, and enforces value-focused, MNQ/Lean Six Sigma-driven, and legally compliant human resources policies, procedures, and best practices. The VP of HR is also responsible for identifying and implementing long-range strategic talent management goals including career development, diversity, and oversight of Monrovia’s transition planning initiative.  Participating with Leadership Team in key meetings, strategic discussions, and other business-critical activities.  Some travel to our other nurseries in Georgia, Connecticut, and California is expected (20% of time).                        

• Provide guidance and leadership to the Human Resources team at all nurseries.
• Collaborate in the resolution of human resources, compensation, staffing, and benefits concerns, investigations, and critical issues that may arise throughout the company.
• Partner with executive leadership to define the company’s long-term mission and goals; identify ways to support this mission through talent management.
• Research, develop, and implement competitive compensation, benefits, and craftsman incentive programs.
• Maintain knowledge and ensure compliance with all Federal and State laws, regulations, mandates, and requirements.
• Ensure legal and regulatory documents are filed timely.
• Update and maintain company policies and handbook.
• Oversee all Monrovia craftsman recognition programs.
• Proactively identify trends and initiatives to reduce risk and craftsmen injuries. 
• Provide oversight of investment strategy and fund selection in tandem with investment committee.
• Maintain accurate retirement data to ensure ERISA and 5500 filing compliance, profit sharing allocation, and year-end testing.
• Partner with VP, Organizational Development in overseeing all training and development. 
• Apply and model the principles of MNQ/Lean Six Sigma in all activities to ensure continuous improvement in all departmental processes.
• Develop work structures in Paycor and ensure data integrity is entered and maintained accurately. 
• Research, develop, and implement sound practices for human resources compliance in companywide matters.  
• Oversee Monrovia’s transition planning initiative to provide continuity in the most critical management positions.
• Maintain effective ongoing communication with direct reports to ensure goals and responsibilities are met.
• Partner with Chief Executive Officer on the design and implementation of an enterprise-wide disaster recovery and business continuity plan.
• Manage annual companywide progress review process.
• Collaborate with Chief Financial Officer on annual merit increase process.
• Draft and implement the human resources department budget.
• Establish metrics for managing department effectiveness and measuring the impact of the department on the business.
• Participate in professional development, networking and conferences to maintain standards expected for professional certification eligibility.
• Performs other related duties to benefit the mission of the company as assigned.

People Leadership, Values and Culture                                                                     

• Reference Monrovia’s values of fairness, respect, opportunity, and pride of craftsmanship as a starting point in the execution of duties.
• Model and demonstrate the highest level of legal and ethical behavior.
• Foster a workplace culture that emphasizes the health and well-being of all craftsmen. 
• Analyze HR Processes across the company to identify, recommend, and implement opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with culture and experience team in support of programs aligned with the company Mission and Values.
• Role model the mission, vision, and values and supports the ongoing development of the organization’s culture

Compliance Management                                                                                                           

• Oversee legal compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, wage & hour laws, as well as employee safety, welfare, wellness and health.
• Ensure compliance of all HR policies, reduce risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Review and recommend changes to company policies, procedures, and practices to implement industry best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS

 Education/Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of human resource-related experience with at least 3 years' people management experience, talent management, and succession planning.
• A bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, organizational Design, or equivalent experience required. Master's degree preferred.
• SHRM Certified credential preferred.
• Prior experience in manufacturing is required.
• Are bilingual, English/Spanish in verbal and written form.
• Achieved and maintain your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certification. 

 Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Skilled at developing strong relationships with senior executives across the organization, earning high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust.
• Demonstrate high integrity, competence, and a positive attitude that inspires trust.
• Effective collaborator, building strong partnerships with diverse, cross-functional, and regional teams.
• Proficient in identifying and managing stakeholders, understanding their needs, concerns, and adapting accordingly.
• Strong organizational development and project management skills, with the ability to develop and execute comprehensive strategies and programs.
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Highly organized, able to multitask and manage competing priorities with precision.
• Comfortable working with ambiguous, unclear, or conflicting information.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong leadership capabilities.
• Extensive knowledge of multiple human resources disciplines, including compensation.
• Thorough understanding of employment-related laws and regulations.
• Have working knowledge of and experience with varied human resources information systems.
• Are proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Are proficient in using Paycor, Oracle HCM, or similar Human Capital Management (HCM) systems.

To apply or see our other positions available, please go to Acumen Executive Search to submit a resume indicating your interest in the opportunity. If our current open positions are not the right fit for you and you would like us to share relevant opportunities, please send your resume and a brief cover to info@AcumenESearch.com.

Established in 2007, Acumen is recognized as the leading certified woman-owned Executive Search Partner in the Pacific Northwest with a global clientele.  We deliver high-impact results and higher than national average retention rates while nurturing genuine long-term relationships.  Acumen works shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients to deliver customized, meaningful, and proven leadership solutions that empower organizational success.

Keywords: Vice President of Human Resources, VP of HR, VP Human Resources, Vice President HR, Director of People, HR, Human Resources, culture