GREG SIMVOULAKIS

9703 S. Bluffside Dr.  ●  Sandy, UT 84092

831-578-3850  ●  gregsimvoulakis@yahoo.com

 

              HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVE

 

Multifaceted Senior Level Human Resources Professional with experience in regulatory compliance, employee / labor relations, contract negotiation, and the interpretation and day to day administration of Company rules and regulations, including collective bargaining agreements. Comfortable working with senior management, internal departments and clients to effectively define and achieve strategic HR, administrative and operational objectives. Exceptional ability to introduce and streamline HR functions to attract employees, improve retention and compliance rates, increase efficiency, facilitate growth and reduce costs.

 

 

              PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

 

EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS, Oakland, CA  ●  09/2008 – Present

An independent executive and management consultancy.

Senior Consultant / Advisor

Advise / counsel executives and all levels of management in labor and employment strategies, compliance of regulations and various leave management processes, employee benefits and administration of 401k plans. Managed third party administrators to the benefit of the companies represented. Negotiate collective bargaining agreements, and develop / implement in-house policies, procedures and employee handbooks. Handle conflict investigations and resolutions, employee benefit negotiations and administration (health and welfare, workers compensation). Provide advice and guidance on workers’ safety and compliance (Cal-OSHA) issues, and wage and hour compliance (DOL, EEOC).

Accomplishments:

•              Successfully negotiated four different collective bargaining agreements with Teamsters Local 890.

•              Personally argued arbitration issues for NewStar Fresh Foods, Commercial Truck, and various other entities.

•              Developed internal HR controls for Baja Sons Packing during start-up by providing employee handbook, required documentation for on-boarding and termination of employees. Worked with CEO and developed basic health and welfare benefit package, workers compensation insurance.

•              Developed business plan, private placement memo, and internal documentation for Spritz Marketing, San Francisco. Served as acting CFO for first six months of company start-up.

•              Acted upon company request to represent in front of unemployment insurance appeals board, Department of Labor inquiry, and Cal-OSHA for NewStar, Commercial Truck, and other clients

 

NEIL JONES FOOD COMPANY, Firebaugh, CA  ●  03/2011 – 11/2012

A provider of traditional and organic tomatoes, custom sauce blends, Northwest fruits, cranberry sauces and juice concentrates to a diverse client base.

Senior Human Resources Business Partner

Provided senior management level consultation and services to site / corporate leadership and employees regarding HR strategies, HR operations, programs, systems, employee relations and compliance issues. Supported company initiatives in design, communication and execution of strategic HR solutions to address issues and improve HR processes and systems, including recruitment, retention, performance management, compensation, employee development and succession planning. Maintained effective working relationship with union and properly administer agreement. Interpret, manage and consult on grievance and arbitration, and assisted with contract negotiations. Administered hourly compensation, scheduling and bidding in compliance with agreement and governmental requirements. Identified legal requirements and government reporting regulations affecting HR functions. Ensured compliance of policies, procedures and reporting requirements. Managed compensation and performance management programs to ensure fair and consistent treatment of all employees. Ensured employee records, PAF's, performance reviews, performance and action plans, corrective action reports and other documents were properly prepared and processed in accordance with requirements. Managed and developed HR staff. Liaised with key business and corporate staff regarding labor relations and agreements. Participated in budget development and management. Administered hourly and salaried payroll and benefit programs at plant site.

Accomplishments:

•              Streamlined seasonal hiring to better process 1,000 seasonal employees.

•              Implemented automated time and attendance process. Developed more meaningful reports outlining actual vs. scheduled time, overtime, and who is working.

•              Improved employee relations, which eliminated any EEOC, DOL, arbitrations, saving company significant attorney fees and costs. Developed strong relationship with Union Shop Stewards and employees.

 

NEWSTAR FRESH FOODS, LLC, Salinas, CA  ●  05/1998 – 06/2008

The world's largest shipper of iceless green onions, and industry leader in value-added spinach, asparagus, and tender leaf products.

 

Director of Human Resources / Safety

Held responsibility for implementing HR practices in international (Mexico), multi-state and multi-location environment, encompassing employee and labor relations, conflict resolution, wage and hour/payroll, corporate workers safety compliance and administration of self-insured workers compensation process. Handled negotiation and implementation of company’s three collective bargaining agreements with the Teamsters Union. Provided advice, guidance and counsel to executive and staff management on diverse HR issues, including employee relations, performance issues, disciplinary measures and conflict resolution in union environment Implemented and administered company performance process, wage and salary functions, including payroll processing and compliance with wage and hour laws. Developed and implemented company policy and procedures. Negotiated and implemented company health and welfare plan, 401k, executive packages and internal benefits offered by company.

Accomplishments:

•              Successfully negotiated all company collective bargaining agreements, including three from inception.

•              Updated all payroll and HRIS systems. Integrated time and attendance system into payroll process that linked together and streamlined process and provided the company up to the minute information for cost purposes when doing labor analysis on a particular process.

•              Negotiated company benefits with various vendors and suppliers. Performed cost benefit analysis on various plans across the company. Established “new” insurance base for the company and saved $1.3M over a three year period.

•              Improved employee relations and streamlined HR functions by restructuring performance review process.

•              Worked with Director of Distribution to develop system to determine hourly, daily, weekly costs as they progressed in an effort to control overtime and budget overruns. Enabled accurate compilation and presentation of financial information.

•              Conducted successful negotiation of company benefits during de-merger. Recreated same/similar benefits, business structure, policy, handbook, etc. for those employees breaking away from the core business group.

 

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Heinz USA, Escalon, CA - Manager of Human Resources/Safety

 

True Value Hardware Store, Oakdale, CA - Co-Owner and General Manager

 

Richland Markets, Inc., Modesto/Ceres, CA - Store Manager / Personnel Specialist

 

E&J Gallo Winery, Livingston, CA – Personnel / Safety Manager

 

 

EDUCATION / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT / AFFILIATIONS

 

MONTEREY COLLEGE OF LAW, Monterey, CA

Juris Doctor (JD) in Law             

 

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, STANISLAUS, Turlock, CA

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration

 

Certifications

Trustees Masters Classification - International Foundation Employee Benefit Plans

 

Affiliations

Society AgSafe

Agriculture Personnel Management Association

Tri-Counties Health Benefit Trust - Board Member

Frozen Food Assoc. Pension Trust – Board Member