James Dobson Email & Phone Number

Provides labor and human relations support to midwestern based manufacturing and service organizations. Specializes in union avoidance, labor negotiations, policy development, selection processes.

Ryerson is a leading distributor and processor of metals in North America with $6 billion in annual sales and 6000 employees operating service centers in the United States and Canada with joint ventures in Mexico, India and China. As Human Resources Director, Field Operations, reported to the VP of HR and directed the activities of the corporate Field Human Resources function which employed a staff of up to 14 HR professionals and provided HR generalist support as well as recruiting process management for over 100 metals distribution service centers and corporate locations throughout the U.S. Responsible for a wide range of HR services, including labor & employee relations, contract/grievance administration, recruiting/staffing, talent management and compensation and benefits administration.

Ryerson Tull, Inc. - A leader in the metals distribution industry with 3500 employees in 60+ service centers throughout the country and annual sales in excess of $3 billion. As Assistant Director of Labor Relations, reported to the Director of Labor Relations and served as co-chair for the company's bargaining committee during the negotiation of an initial collective bargaining agreement covering the hourly workers represented by joint petitioners [United Steelworkers (USW) & Teamsters Local No. 714] at Ryerson Tull's largest service center location in Chicago, IL. Additionally responsible for developing and implementing labor relations/contract administration training for the Chicago service center's operations staff of more than 50 managers and supervisors.

As General Manager of Human Resources, reported to the President of Ryerson West and was responsible for the full scope of human resource activities for the 9 metals distribution service centers and regional headquarters which comprised Ryerson Tull's western U.S. business unit. Ryerson West had 600-500 employees located throughout the region and annual sales of approx. $500 million. Directed a staff of 3 HR professionals in all aspects of the HR function, including labor & employee relations, comp & benefits, talent management, training & employee development as well as recruiting.

$2+ billion private joint venture between Nippon Steel of Tokyo and Inland Steel (now Arcelor Mittal) in New Carlisle, IN providing cold rolled and galvanized sheet steel, primarily to the automotive and appliance industries. The facilities jointly employ approx. 600 employees. An original member of the start-up teams for two greenfield-site steel processing facilities in NW Indiana, reported to the Director of Human Resources. Was responsible for the full scope of the HR function which included labor & employee relations, compensation & benefits, labor contract and grievance administration (including arbitration), as well as the recruitment, professional development and training of more than 600 hourly and salaried team members, 400 of which were represented by the United Steelworkers (USW).

Served as Safety Engineer for multiple in-plant departments throughout Inland's fully integrated steel mill in East Chicago, IN. Promoted to Supervising Safety Engineer, reported to the Superintendent of the Safety Department and directed the activities of 5-6 safety engineers while continuing to serve existing internal clients. Transferred to the Labor Relations Dept. in 1985 and as Labor Relations Project Representative provided day-to-day labor relations support for several plant departments. Member of management's contracting-out committee which jointly administered the sub-contracting provisions of the CBA with Union representatives.