Melissa Nunez

Strategic HR leader with 20+ years of experience partnering with executive leadership across multi-site, operationally intensive organizations. Proven track record building and scaling HR functions, aligning workforce strategy with business objectives, and supporting organizational transformation including M&A integration. Expertise in workforce planning, organizational design, and operational HR leadership.

Known for building scalable HR programs that strengthen compliance, improve workforce performance, and support sustainable business growth in complex, multi-site environments.

Regional Head of Human Resources – North America at deugro USA, Inc. (2024-07 – 2026-01)

• Led HR strategy across a multi-location workforce in the U.S. and Canada, aligning HR operations with business objectives in a complex, geographically dispersed environment.
• Served as the primary HR leader across North America, operating in a lean environment and providing both strategic leadership and hands-on execution across all HR functions.
• Supported acquisition and integration efforts by contributing to workforce alignment, policy consistency, and onboarding of newly integrated employees across project sites.
• Led HRIS transformation (ADP Workforce Now), improving payroll, benefits, and talent workflows, and partnered with finance on payroll operations, budgeting, and benefits cost management.
• Served as primary employee relations advisor conducting workplace investigations, supporting accommodations, performance management, and terminations while ensuring compliance with FMLA, ADA, FLSA, and wage and hour laws.
• Directed total rewards strategy, including compensation structures, benefits programs, and vendor partnerships to ensure internal equity and cost effectiveness.
• Directed recruiting strategy across functions, strengthening hiring processes and reducing reliance on external agencies.
• Built workforce analytics dashboards, providing leadership visibility into headcount, turnover, and labor cost trends.
• Managed HR budget and cost optimization initiatives.
• Led and developed HR team, establishing structure and accountability.
• Ensured compliance with federal, state, and international employment laws.
• Drove culture and engagement initiatives to strengthen communication and alignment across geographically dispersed teams.
• Standardized HR processes and practices across geographically dispersed operations to improve consistency, scalability, and operational efficiency.

Human Resources Manager at Doggett – John Deere (2023-05 – 2024-06)

• Led HR operations for 600+ employees across 15 dealership and service locations in Texas and Louisiana, driving consistency in workforce practices across a complex field-service environment.
• Managed employee relations, investigations, and performance management, partnering closely with operations leadership to address workforce challenges.
• Led recruiting for operational and leadership roles, strengthening hiring processes across multiple locations.
• Oversaw payroll coordination and benefits administration, including eligibility, vendor coordination, and employee support, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
• Supported leadership coaching, succession planning, and organizational effectiveness initiatives.

Regional Human Resources Manager at Orion Group Holdings (2013-11 – 2023-04)

• Led regional HR operations across construction and marine project sites throughout Texas (Houston, Dallas and Central Texas), supporting both field and office-based workforce in high-risk operational environments.
• Served as a key HR leader during periods of organizational growth and change, helping scale workforce operations and strengthen leadership alignment across multiple project sites.
• Led and developed a 13-member HR team across U.S. locations, establishing leadership coaching practices and succession planning frameworks supporting a workforce of 1,300+ employees.
• Partnered with executive leadership to align HR strategy with business objectives during periods of organizational growth, operational expansion, and workforce restructuring.
• Supported acquisition and integration efforts by assisting with workforce alignment, policy consistency, and onboarding of newly integrated employees across project sites.
• Partnered with operations and union representatives to support labor-related matters, ensuring alignment with collective agreements and workforce needs.
• Led succession planning initiatives for leadership roles, strengthening internal pipelines and supporting long-term organizational stability.
• Led high-volume recruiting and workforce ramp-ups.
• Delivered workforce analytics and reporting to executive leadership, supporting data-driven decisions on headcount, labor cost, and workforce planning.
• Implemented leadership development programs.
• Partnered with operations to support workforce planning for project-based staffing, including ramp-ups and resource alignment.
• Supported risk management initiatives including workers' compensation, safety programs, and compliance in high-risk operational environments.

HR & Payroll Manager at Zinc Resources (2021-08 – 2021-12)

• Built and launched the HR and payroll function for a startup manufacturing operation, establishing the foundation for compliant and scalable workforce operations.
• Supported organizational scaling through workforce planning, compensation analysis, and partnership with leadership during rapid growth.
• Designed compliant payroll and benefits programs aligned with regulatory requirements

Master of Human Resource Management in Human Resource Management – University of Houston–Clear Lake

Bachelor of Applied Administration in Applied Administration – University of Houston–Downtown