John Simmons Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, Us

Steward of the Culture of Caring responsible for developing HR strategies, driving continuous improvement of HR processes, leading transformation and articulating HR needs and plans to the executive management team in support of business objectives and future growth. Lead, manage and coach 18-member HR team overseeing the day-to-day operations of talent acquisition, learning and development, HR systems, reporting and analytics, and legal and regulatory compliance. Business partner and coach to corporate and operations leaders and employees guiding them through employee relations matters and their own professional development. • Implemented first career site www.lettucejobs.com, on-line application, and hourly ATS.• Designed, conducted and analyzed first all-employee benefits survey and new benefits in response.• Developed company’s first monthly turnover reporting and analytics.• Implemented Instant Financial pay cards and instant (daily) pay initiative for 6,500 hourly employees.• Implemented first harassment prevention training program and delivered to 7,500 employees.• Developed and presented “Lettuce Learning” programs on Interviewing and Employee Engagement.

Tokyo, Jp

$16 billion global pharmaceutical leader with 30,000 employees• Executive leader and architect in the org design, mission, and budget for 15-member HR Operations COE with $7.3 million budget. • Contributed $21.5 million in HR savings over 3 years through reorganization, rebuild of global HR operating model in partnership with CHRO, COE heads and HR leaders. • Prepared business case and gained approval to implement best-in-class human capital management system. Drove RFPs and led contract negotiations with industry leading cloud-based software vendor (Workday) and implementation partners. Created and managed 2+year project plan in partnership with CIO and IT leadership. Led cross-functional core team and 60+ local project teams.• Projecting $5 million annual savings and operational efficiencies by harmonizing HR and talent management data of 36,000 workers in 60 countries into a fully integrated global solution. Providing real-time, meaningful data and analytics to drive human capital and business decisions. Implementing HRIS processes that can be adapted quickly in response to market forces and organizational changes. Introducing mobile self-service capabilities. Streamlining management of cross-site reporting relationships and global assignments. Simplifying future expansions, acquisitions and divestitures.

Tokyo, Jp

• Ensured successful delivery of annual programs, complex HR projects, and strategic M&A initiatives. Led team in providing excellent service and innovative responses to operations in U.S. and multi-national affiliates. • Aligned multi-disciplined HR teams into a single 35-member shared services team with $7.8 million budget to seamlessly support HR operations and business goals. Re-built org structure, set mission and strategy and led HR systems & analytics, HR PMO, employee communications, employee resource center, learning & organizational effectiveness, and employee engagement.Focus on the Customer. Deliver Excellence. Engage the Team. “It’s What We Do!”• Sought and successfully obtained first-time best employer awards for the U.S. business in Working Mother magazine, Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, and Chicago Tribune, which have increased marketplace awareness of employer brand and bolstered internal appreciation for employee value proposition.

Tokyo, Jp

• Led HR in M&A due diligence, acquisitions and restructuring involving cross-functional U.S. and international teams. Coordinated with HR business partners and operations in multiple and matrixed businesses. Provided HR support for commercial and R&D affiliates in the Americas. • Led domestic integration as PMO functional leader with $2.5 billion in annual sales and 3,000 employees. Delivered $355 million in cost synergies over three years and created a top 15 U.S. pharmaceutical company.• Led HR integration of global company with $3.8 billion in revenue and 12,000 employees. Significantly increased commercial sales and infrastructure in Europe and emerging markets, and created a top 12 global industry leader. Delivered $375 million in annual cost savings. Received Global Award for outstanding contributions and embodiment of culture as a key member of this team.• Led organic expansion into the Americas building start-up operations and opening new markets in major global markets Canada (#8), Mexico (#11) and Brazil (#10). Staffed general manager and leadership team positions. Provided organizational design expertise, coached executives and provided tactical support as liaison to corporate HR and other functional leaders and teams. • Managed consistent and efficient approach to HR policies, processes, and practices resulting in alignment, compliance and effective risk management. Preventative focus resulted in significant reduction in risk profile.

Orlando, Fl, Us

Multi-brand operator of casual restaurants across the U.S. (Olive Garden, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52 and others) with $5.5 million in annual sales and 156,000 EEsBusiness partner and trusted advisor to HR, business leaders and C-Suite from 1994 – 2007 providing employment law and employee relations expertise in increasingly more senior positions in diverse companies and industries. Ensured compliance with federal and multi-state employment laws and regulations. Directed and conducted fair and impartial investigations. Drafted and provided on-going review of HR policies and practices and Affirmative Acton Plans/OFCCP compliance. Defended administrative charges and government agency audits. Managed relationships with multiple law firms to respond to threatened and actual litigation across the U.S. Co-led HR due diligence resulting in successful acquisition of parent company’s first research base in the U.S.

Tokyo, Jp

U.S. affiliate of Japan's largest pharmaceutical company with $4 billion in annual sales and 2,000 EEs in commercial and R&D unitsBusiness partner and trusted advisor to HR, business leaders and C-Suite from 1994 – 2007 providing employment law and employee relations expertise in increasingly more senior positions in diverse companies and industries. Ensured compliance with federal and multi-state employment laws and regulations. Directed and conducted fair and impartial investigations. Drafted and provided on-going review of HR policies and practices and Affirmative Acton Plans/OFCCP compliance. Defended administrative charges and government agency audits. Managed relationships with multiple law firms to respond to threatened and actual litigation across the U.S. Co-led HR due diligence resulting in successful acquisition of parent company’s first research base in the U.S.

Rosemont, Il, Us

Multi-state foodservice distributor with $17 million in annual sales and 23,000 EEsBusiness partner and trusted advisor to HR, business leaders and C-Suite from 1994 – 2007 providing employment law and employee relations expertise in increasingly more senior positions in diverse companies and industries. Ensured compliance with federal and multi-state employment laws and regulations. Directed and conducted fair and impartial investigations. Drafted and provided on-going review of HR policies and practices and Affirmative Acton Plans/OFCCP compliance. Defended administrative charges and government agency audits. Managed relationships with multiple law firms to respond to threatened and actual litigation across the U.S. Co-led HR due diligence resulting in successful acquisition of parent company’s first research base in the U.S.

Chicago, Il, Us

• Legal counsel to and partner to the business, providing advice on a variety of HR, legal and business issues to corporate and local business leaders and professionals at all levels• Conducted EEO/employee relations audits in the field• Negotiated and drafted commercial agreements of all types; drafted and reviewed trade promotions and sweepstakes rules and reviewed advertising copy for legal compliance; conducted contract administration audits in the field; resolved lien disputes• Developed in-house software program for database of all contracts and other legal documents and related files; drafted Contract Administration Manual, a comprehensive training guide and resource for the field• Managed outside counsel retained to litigate breach of group sales contract actions and negotiated resolution of breach of contract disputes• Supervised a staff of paraprofessionals and managed day-to-day assignment of work within the Legal Department; trained business professionals on contract negotiations and principles of contract law

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

• Researched and drafted memoranda of law regarding the rules of evidence and procedure of the federal courts and various local courts as well as substantive areas of law• Drafted pleadings, discovery requests, responses, and motions; researched and drafted contributions to various publications; conducted extensive document review abroad in complex breach of contract action• Researched and drafted portion of opposition to petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court

Chicago, Il, Us

• HR business partner and hotel executive committee member responsible for all aspects of HR strategy and execution, including employee relations, talent acquisition, training and development, performance management, employee engagement, labor relations (grievance resolution, arbitration); EEO, NLRA, OSHA and ERISA compliance; compensation and benefits; unemployment compensation claims; workers’ compensation and workplace safety programs; employee communications; EAP administration, and immigration• Ensured compliance with local and corporate HR policies and state and federal laws, including development, communication and implementation of employee handbook and all other local HR policies and practices• HR leader responsible for the start-up of new hotel through successful opening and continued operations with integral involvement in pre-opening logistical, purchasing and operational decisions of all types and at all levels• Developed HR Standard Operating Procedures Manual and developed and conducted SOP training program for new managers and supervisors• Managed local HR departments; prepared and managed HR budget

Doctor Of Law (Jd), Law

Bachelor’S Degree, Hospitality Administration/Management