MR ROBERT DAVID THOMrobthom70@aol.com

01297 444016 / 0772361434525 North Avenue, Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3AY

Summary______________________________________________________________________________

An experienced Human Resource professional who is an expert communicator and negotiator with strong conflict resolution skills. Extensive background in change management, recruitment and retention, mediation, people development, management coaching and employee relations.

Education History_____________________________________________________________________________________

1982 – 1990 Woodroffe Comprehensive School, Lyme Regis, Dorset1990 – 1992 Farnborough College of Technology, Farnborough, Hants

Membership of Professional BodiesChartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Associate) – Current

Qualifications_______________________________________________________________________________________

Certificate in Personnel Practice – MERIT (Nov 2005) Continued attendance to several Group HR / CIPD events / workshops on key HR issues HND Science and Management of Health and Fitness – MERIT (July 1992) 2 ‘A’ Levels – Geography (Grade E) and Economics (Grade E) 9 ‘O’ Levels – French, Mathematics, English Literature, English Language, Biology, Geography,

Music, Physics and Chemistry NEBOSH General Certificate (June 2007 – Distinction) IOSH Managing Safely (Feb 2007) Microsoft Word Intermediate Microsoft Excel Introduction

Key Achievements_____________________________________________________________________________________

Successfully managed several change management projects within budget and resulting in significant savings and efficiency improvements to the business

Integrated HR into Site and Group business strategies Reduced and maintained absence rates from 8% to under 2% Successfully negotiated annual pay reviews with trade unions during difficult trading periods for the

business. Lead driver for Ethical Auditing process within the group resulting in successful customer audit

completion on all sites in line with SEDEX requirements and ETI base code.

Skills______________________________________________________________________________

Performance management strategies Employment law knowledge Management coaching and mentoring Change management strategies / projects Employee Relations Exceptional interpersonal skills

Staffing and recruiting professional Interviewing expertise Employee handbook development New hire orientation Training and development Personnel records maintenance

Career History_______________________________________________________________________________________

HR Manager - Karro Food Ltd (Formerly Vion Food UK Ltd - Wiveliscombe (Nov 2006 – Present):

Provision / Review / Update of HR policies, systems and advice for up to approximately 250 employees to ensure compliance with current legislation and employment law.

Improved HR profile on site to become a key part of business strategy. Successfully managed several change management projects. Most recently coordinated

redundancy process that reduced workforce from 170 to 42 heads and now coordinating site closure programme.

Lead driver of BU Ethical Auditing Process leading to BU sites completing successful Ethical Audits from customers.

Improved communications / engagement with employees by introduction of Tier Meetings, Employee Forums and regular Site updates from Senior Management Team following Lean Management principles where applicable.

Responsible for the labour planning for the site. Overseeing the recruitment and selection process from start to finish, including job design,

advertisements, undertaking sifts and sitting on interview panels at all levels. Experience of managing contracts with external agencies and training providers, in particular

negotiating reasonable rates and timescales where applicable. Principle driver behind NVQ training program and Apprentice Scheme.

Involvement in Graduate programme, including assessing / selecting potential graduates and managing graduate placements to our site.

Control of induction documents, induction training and personal files. Liaising with Union representatives (Site and Regional) to ensure any queries or issues are dealt

with satisfactorily, including annual pay reviews and formal consultations on contract changes, redundancies or amendments to terms and conditions.

Advising line managers on employee relations issues and any other HR issues relevant to their department.

Co-ordinating and attending disciplinary hearings when applicable. Overseeing absence management records and providing reports to line managers and group

managers on a regular basis on absence levels / trends, recruitment and training. This included the introduction of counselling sessions and a more professional approach to return to work interviews resulting in a reduction of sickness levels from 8% to under 3%.

Advising, implementing, managing and overseeing performance management issues and casework from start to finish including any training and development needs.

Monitoring labour costs versus production costs to ensure business targets are met and surpassed in key areas.

Establishing positive and productive working relationships with directors, managers, supervisors and other employees at all levels.

Contribute to and attend production meetings, senior management team meetings and business unit HR strategy and policy meetings.

Responsible for embedding and driving Corporate Social Responsibility programme on site and ensuring corporate values and competencies are also embedded within all sectors.

Providing support to OHSE Site Co-ordinator regarding the Health and Safety provision within the business, including policy, procedures and reports.

Management of Human Resources - Bridport and West Dorset Sports Trust Limited (Nov 2001 – Aug 2006):

Providing HR policies, systems and advice for approximately 85 employees. Overseeing the Recruitment and Selection Process, including the implementation of Recruitment

and Selection Policy, asylum and immigration forms, pre-employment health questionnaires and other relevant documents.

Advising line managers on employee relations issues and any other HR issues relevant to their department. Co-ordinating and attending disciplinary hearings when applicable.

Co-ordinating a thorough performance review system for all employees and undertaking these reviews where applicable. Introduction of an Individual Development Scheme piloted by senior management employees.

Implementation of a training and development plan, incorporating a training matrix and individual training logs and managing Apprentice scheme in conjunction with local service provider.

Reviewing staffing structure and control of staffing rotas and annual leave entitlement. Overseeing absence management records and providing reports to line managers on a regular

basis.

Other Work Experience

Aug 2006 – Nov 2006 View From Publishing Ltd (Distribution Assistant)

Collection, delivery and distribution of local paper to various outlets in the area.

1995 – 2001 H. Thom & Sons (Business Partner):

Family business selling dress fabrics and curtain fabrics. Overseeing 3 retail outlets and 6 employees. Control of budgets, stock control and buying, staffing issues and customer care.

1993 – 1995 Lords Meadow Leisure Centre (Duty Manager):

Management of daily operations of leisure centre including staff supervision, reception duties, programme implementation, customer care, booking procedures and opening and closing procedures.

Interpersonal Skills_______________________________________________________________________________________

Able to communicate well with others, verbally and written. I.T literate in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Updating and input of data into OPENPEOPLE HR System and Crown Payroll system. Ability to work on own initiative and work to deadlines professionally and ethically. Flexible and positive outlook, patient and approachable.

Other Interests_____________________________________________________________________________________

I enjoy countryside walks with my family and various sports. I am currently secretary for our local football team for whom I have played for since I was 15 and have also managed teams.