Ret Martin, Sphr, Shrm-Scp Email & Phone Number

Texas, United States

Fort Worth, Texas

- Employee Relations, Benefits, Payroll and Communications- Maintain productive working relationships with all levels of management and line employees, serving as the trusted adviser in all employee relations, employment law, benefits, training, recruiting and compensation matters.- Successfully implemented payroll transition from Reynolds payroll module to ADP (now CDK) Drive Payroll in 2012, from CDK Drive Payroll to CDK Payroll Plus in 2018, and from Payroll Plus to ADP Workforce Now in 2023, personally producing 50 payrolls per year (Bi-Weekly and Semi-Monthly).- Updated, edited and published a new employee manual, distributing via Compli (now Compligo) compliance software.- Updated, edited and published employment application form, pre-hire materials and new-hire on-boarding materials.- Implemented online employee benefits enrollment program using Benefits In Hand/Employee Navigator software to streamline annual open enrollment, monthly enrollments and Affordable Care Act compliance.- Advised senior management and implemented processes to manage COVID-19 crisis, including partial closure, furloughs, recalls, reopening, hygiene measures, supplemental payments, CARES Act sick leave and Employee Retention Credit.- Implemented seamless transition from Cigna group health insurance to Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance in 2021, and from Blue Cross to United Healthcare in 2024.

Solicited, consulted and negotiated with clients regarding the purchase of new and pre-owned vehicles.

- Create customized policies, procedures and employee manuals.- Consult on employee relations and employment law issues.- Assist with employee benefits design and projects.

- Employee Relations, Benefits, Payroll and Communications- Commercial Insurance- Private Label Credit Card Program Management- Property Management- Vehicle Fleet Management- Commercial Leases- State Income, Franchise and Property Taxes- Real Estate Filings- Corporate Minutes and Statutory Filings- Operations Management- Led team that closed all retail department store and office operations of the company. Continue to manage statutory filing issues for remaining corporate entities.- Coached managers in compensation analysis using cost-to-sales ratios and wage comparisons from high-performing stores in similar markets in the company.- Advised managers in the areas of recruiting, training, retention and progressive discipline of employees, as these functions were handled at the store level.- Reduced commercial insurance costs by managing claims, conducting semi-annual claims reviews with adjusters, establishing coverage needs, conducting rate comparisons and negotiating with insurance agents and carriers for annual renewals.- Achieved two-week conversion deadline by training employees at eight locations in Maine and Michigan in new sales audit and merchandise receiving system.- Converted in-house payroll system to ADP, saving 50% on processing time.- Developed and expanded 401(k) retirement plan to improve employee retention.- Implemented and trained managers in a Texas Non-Subscriber Work-Related Injury Plan to reduce workers’ compensation insurance cost increases.- Official Title: Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary

- Employee Relations, Benefits and Communications- Commercial Insurance- Property Tax- Real Estate Filings- Corporate Minutes and Statutory Filings- Operations Management- Incremental Budgeting- Evaluated, selected and distributed video customer service and safety programs for employee training to improve customer service and reduce insurance premium costs.- Coordinated 360-degree performance evaluation of corporate buyers to reduce response times and increase internal customer satisfaction.- Edited, produced and distributed monthly newsletter and store performance spreadsheet to improve communications with all levels of management.- Designed safety program and trained managers in comprehensive accident reporting, saving 10% on commercial insurance premium costs.- Official Title: Vice President and Corporate Secretary

- Employee Relations, Benefits and Communications- Commercial Insurance- Operations Management- Incremental Budgeting.- Improved employee relations by establishing the human resources function for the company, formalizing the design and communication of employee manuals, policies, procedures, benefits and training programs.- Developed productive working relationships and communications skills with all levels of management and line employees, becoming a trusted adviser in all employee relations, benefits, training, recruiting and compensation matters.- Worked with management team to create company vision, mission statement and guiding principles to improve customer service and employee relations.- Coordinated Section 125 Cafeteria Plan implementation with insurance agency staff, providing tax savings to plan participants and to the company.- Official Title: Director of Personnel

- Led team of store managers and merchandise buyers managing sales, cash office, credit, marking, receiving, accounts payable, buying, advertising and merchandising operations of 2 retail department stores with 60 employees.

New Member Orientation, Weekly Meeting Facilitation, Workshop Organization, Operations Management, and Team Member establishing non-profit business and marketing plans.