Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Buda
robert.buda949@gmail.com
(949) 433-8499
www.linkedin.com/in/robertjbuda
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Executive Summary
Human Resources leader with over twenty years of experience in developing and directing customer-centric teams using a
hands-on, consultative approach in mid to large operating units of multi-state Fortune 500 companies. Outstanding
record of delivering results and aligning strategic HR initiatives with business goals to support revenue growth, talent
acquisition and development, the mitigation of high risk employee relations issues and cooperative employer/union
relationships. Business experience spans retail, distribution, biopharmaceutical, medical device, consulting and healthcare
insurance.
Competencies
Talent Management & Acquisition
Employee & Labor Relations
Compensation Plan Design & Implementation
Regulatory Compliance
Training Program Development & Delivery
Workers Compensation & Leave Management
Project & Process Change Management
Risk Mitigation
Succession, Workforce and Strategic Planning
Conflict Resolution
2015 - Present
2006 - 2015
Nationwide, $5.1B, Fortune 500, 16,000 employee distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding supplies, safety
equipment and related products.
Division VP, Human Resources, West Division - Long Beach, CA
2011 to 2015
Strategic and operational leadership of all Human Resource initiatives, budgeting and a staff of 23 Human
Resource and Payroll professionals within this $800MM division of 2,100 associates.
Supported 3 regions, a centralized Business Support Center, plus 154 production, distribution and retail sites
within 7 western states and British Columbia.
Implemented centralized talent management function to focus on recruitment, leadership development and succession
planning to address projected loss of institutional knowledge and development of high potential future leaders.
Collaborated with nationwide peers on four technology initiatives to select, configure and successfully implement
new enterprise systems for timekeeping, applicant tracking, electronic personnel files, background checks and drug
screening.
Achieved savings of $1.2MM over four years by negotiating with Teamsters to replace one union pension plan with a
401(k) plan. Spearheaded successful decertification of 2 collective bargaining agreements. Prevailed in 3 of 4 union
organizing campaigns and was chief negotiator in 3 additional multi-year agreements.
Partnered with Division President and CFO in the successful 9-month staffing and build-out of an employee Business
Support Center that centralized accounting, training and the workers compensation and leave management functions.
Directed HR team in successful compliance audit of 500+ jobs to ensure proper FLSA classification, mitigate wage
and hour exposure, and the standardization of job titles and job codes for internal reporting requirements.
Authored new California employee handbook addendum and contributed to the rewrite of a 12-year old nationwide
employee handbook including new policies targeted to improve morale and ensure legal compliance.
2005 - 2006
Multi-state, $9.7B, Fortune 500 Managed Healthcare Company serving patients covered under Medicaid, Medicare and other
government-sponsored health insurance programs.