Kristin Budd

Direct strategic and operational functions of the Human Resources Department for County government, partnering with County leadership and department heads to recruit, develop, engage, and retain a high-performing workforce while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and service-oriented organizational culture. Built and lead a responsive Human Resources team focused on delivering exceptional customer service, strategic guidance, and accessible support to employees and leadership across all County departments. Provide experienced guidance on employee relations, performance management, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, FMLA administration, policy interpretation, disciplinary actions, and grievance resolution while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.

Human Resources Director at Dorchester County Maryland (2023-02 – Present)

• Direct strategic and operational functions of the Human Resources Department for County government, partnering with County leadership and department heads to recruit, develop, engage, and retain a high-performing workforce while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and service-oriented organizational culture.
• Built and lead a responsive Human Resources team focused on delivering exceptional customer service, strategic guidance, and accessible support to employees and leadership across all County departments.
• Provide experienced guidance on employee relations, performance management, workplace investigations, conflict resolution, FMLA administration, policy interpretation, disciplinary actions, and grievance resolution while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Administer the County's comprehensive employee benefits program by collaborating with insurance brokers, vendors, department leadership, and employees to communicate changes, evaluate benefit offerings, and recommend cost-effective enhancements that strengthen recruitment and retention.
• Serve as Retirement Coordinator for the State of Maryland Retirement and Pension Systems as it relates to County participation and employee retirement benefits.
• Participate in compensation and classification initiatives through market benchmarking, internal equity analyses, salary studies, and compensation recommendations that support competitive pay practices and organizational sustainability.
• Partner with department directors on organizational planning, succession planning, workforce development, position classification, and job description development to support long-term operational success.
• Lead and participate in employee engagement initiatives, while managing the employee engagement budget, encouraging participation throughout the County departments.
• Administer the County's Workers' Compensation program, overseeing claims from incident investigation through resolution while collaborating with supervisors, insurance carriers, medical providers, and legal counsel to minimize risk and support employee recovery.
• Maintain OSHA injury and illness records, ensure required regulatory reporting, and promote workplace safety initiatives in collaboration with County departments.
• Collaborate with other County HR affiliates through conferences, events and meetings to remain informed of legislative developments, emerging trends, and best practices affecting local government Human Resources.
• Attend County Council meetings, leadership meetings, and closed sessions as needed to provide recommendations to Council on confidential personnel matters and employment issues.

Human Resources Business Partner/Human Resources Manager at B&G Foods, Inc. (2007 – 2022)

• Directed full-cycle talent acquisition, including recruitment strategy, sourcing, job fairs, third-party staffing partnerships, HRIS requisitions, interviewing, offer management, pre-employment screening, onboarding, and new hire retention initiatives.
• Served as a trusted HR advisor to leadership by ensuring compliance with employment laws and company policies, conducting employee relations investigations, recommending corrective actions, supporting performance management, goal setting, and annual review processes, and overseeing FMLA, disability, and leave administration.
• Administered compensation, benefits, and payroll programs, including annual open enrollment, health fairs, 401(k) education, wage surveys, payroll processing, and supervision of accounting functions (payroll, accounts payable, and production reporting) while ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Managed workers' compensation and OSHA compliance by coordinating claims, physician care, return-to-work programs, accident investigations, root cause analyses, OSHA recordkeeping, and corrective action implementation.
• Developed and delivered leadership development, HR policy, and Core Values training; partnered with colleges and external vendors; and provided regular HR updates, staffing metrics, and strategic recommendations during executive leadership meetings.
• Led employee engagement and community outreach initiatives by planning recognition events, wellness and benefits activities, charitable campaigns, safety and attendance programs, and company-sponsored events while managing approved budgets.
• Supported organizational operations through cross-functional collaboration with leadership, temporary staffing agencies, payroll, benefits vendors, and external partners, including managing COVID-19 workforce tracking and reporting in accordance with CDC guidance.

Office Services Supervisor/ Accounting Coordinator / Payroll Clerk at B&G Foods, Inc. (1985 – 2006)

• Processed journal entries for payroll, petty cash, local checking, and accounts payable accruals while reconciling financial records and maintaining accurate general ledger activity.
• Oversaw departmental accounts payable operations, including invoice processing, purchase order verification, general ledger coding, approvals, payment vouchers, and investigation of purchase price variances.
• Administered HR support functions for salaried employees by maintaining personnel files, coordinating voluntary life insurance deductions, and distributing monthly performance appraisals.
• Verified and reconciled timekeeping records for hourly employees and temporary staff, resolving payroll discrepancies and ensuring accurate payroll processing.
• Calculated local produce intake payments, maintained petty cash and checking account reconciliations, and performed general office and administrative support functions.

A.A. Degree in Applied Science - Data Processing – Delaware Technical & Community College (1983 – 1985)