Susan Waters

Strategic HR and payroll professional with 12+ years of experience supporting manufacturing, construction, retail, and healthcare organizations in union and non-union environments. Recognized for building strong employee relations programs, resolving workplace issues with professionalism and discretion, and partnering with leadership to foster positive, compliant, and high-performing work environments. Proven expertise in conflict resolution, employee investigations, performance management, talent acquisition, payroll administration, compliance, and workforce planning.

Strong ability to balance employee advocacy with business objectives while improving engagement, retention, and operational effectiveness.

Human Resources Specialist & Payroll Specialist - Johns Manville

(2023-09)

Provide HR support for a 350+ employee manufacturing facility in a union environment

• Manage full-cycle recruiting, including sourcing, interviewing, onboarding, and hiring manager training
• Lead employee onboarding, benefits administration, and engagement initiatives to support retention and culture
• Lead sensitive employee relations investigations involving performance, conduct, attendance, and workplace concerns while ensuring fair, consistent, and compliant resolutions
• Support workforce planning, scheduling coordination, training initiatives, and organizational changes
• Ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws, company policies, and labor requirements
• Maintain HRIS data integrity and support process improvements and system enhancements
• Partner with Environmental Health & Safety leadership to align HR and workplace safety initiatives
• Process payroll through ADP, including union deductions and payroll compliance
• Coach managers on employee relations matters, performance management, conflict resolution, documentation, and corrective action procedures

Human Resources & Payroll Manager - Root24hrs Plumbing & Drain

(2020-10 - 2023-09)

• Administered HR policies and procedures in compliance with federal and state employment regulations
• Developed recruiting strategies that improved hiring outcomes and employee retention
• Supervised a five-person department while managing employee relations matters, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, and conflict resolution efforts
• Managed multi-state payroll operations through ADP for employees across NJ, PA, DE, and NC
• Implemented payroll process improvements that increased accuracy and operational efficiency
• Led OSHA compliance efforts and workplace safety initiatives
• Trained managers on attendance management, timekeeping procedures, and HR compliance practices

HR Coordinator / Payroll Coordinator - Sprouts Farmers Market

(2020-06 - 2020-09)

Served as a key HR resource for employees by addressing workplace concerns, resolving issues, and supporting employee engagement initiatives. Assisted with payroll processing and benefits enrollment

• Supported recruiting, onboarding, orientation, and new hire processing
• Ensured compliance with employment laws, internal policies, and onboarding requirements

Senior Program Coordinator / Director - Virtua Health System

(2012-03 - 2020-04)

• Managed more than 100 annual programs and administered a departmental budget exceeding $200K
• Supervised a six-person team, including hiring, onboarding, staff development, and performance evaluations. Oversaw payroll administration, budgeting, and financial reporting activities
• Partnered with leadership to strengthen employee engagement, improve team performance, and address workplace and employee relations concerns
• Ensured compliance through audits, policy adherence, and operational oversight

Staffing Scheduler / Planner Coordinator - Virtua Health System

(2004-02 - 2012-03)

Coordinated staffing and workforce scheduling for a 250-bed hospital in compliance with labor regulations

• Managed workforce planning, vendor coordination, and staffing operations to maintain coverage needs

Business Coursework - Camden County College