Sarah Ferguson
Republic
Summary
Strategic and results-driven Human Resources Leader with over 7 years of progressive HR experience across multi-site operations, grounded in earlier General Manager roles that honed my operational leadership and built the foundation for my HR career. With a proven track record of aligning workforce strategy with business objectives, leading comprehensive performance-management programs, and mitigating enterprise risk through disciplined HR processes, I excel at consulting senior leadership, driving talent-management initiatives, and building operational excellence across varied locations.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Human Resources
Pro Outdoor
01.2024 - Current
- Lead the development and execution of an integrated workforce strategy aligned with key organizational priorities across seven separate locations.
- Drive alignment between location business plans and corporate HR deliverables to ensure cohesive execution of HR strategy.
- Provide guidance and direction on HR issues, resolving escalated matters through the broader HR team and senior leadership.
- Facilitate regular workforce-health meetings to engage segment and corporate leaders around key workforce metrics, priorities, and deliverables; assess execution effectiveness.
- Develop talent-process metrics (e.g., time-to-fill, turnover, succession coverage) to keep business leaders informed; monitor results and proactively address gaps.
- Oversee core talent-management processes including hiring/onboarding, succession planning, leadership transitions, performance management, workforce planning, knowledge transfer, engagement action planning, and off-boarding.
- Partner directly with business leaders to ensure process ownership and accountability; provide real-time observation and coaching on HR processes.
- Identify process risks and opportunities, and enhance leadership capability and operational effectiveness through targeted improvements.
Human Resources Manager
Atkore (United Poly Systems)
09.2020 - 01.2024
- Built trusted management-employee partnerships by resolving complex HR issues in a fast-paced manufacturing/service environment, enhancing trusted communication and workplace stability.
- Developed and onboarded new HR professionals across the region, accelerating team readiness and elevating HR service delivery.
- Led investigations into sensitive performance, conduct and policy matters; provided strategic counsel on disciplinary actions and terminations while ensuring legal and policy compliance.
- Coached senior and frontline leaders through career-development planning and performance improvement frameworks, driving stronger leadership pipeline and engagement.
- Managed full-cycle talent acquisition — from crafting job ads and screening through background checks, drug testing, onboarding and orientation — improving recruitment efficiency and quality of hire.
- Oversaw workers’ compensation, return-to-work programs, HR data management and key metrics (hires, absenteeism, retention); ensured regulatory compliance (EEO, OSHA) and informed strategic HR decisions.
- Partnered with CEO, CFO and Regional HR leadership to shape strategic HR priorities and align operations with business objectives, contributing to enterprise-wide HR alignment and impact.
Human Resources Manager
Securitas Security Services
10.2018 - 09.2020
- Recognized as HR Manager of the Year (2019) for exceptional leadership and HR outcomes.
- Led recruitment efforts across the region, interviewing and selecting top-performing candidates for roles across multiple locations and overseeing the full hiring lifecycle — from job posting to onboarding.
- Developed and executed a streamlined onboarding process for new hires, ensuring quick integration, clarity of expectations, and early engagement with assigned training and performance milestones.
- Managed corrective action processes and performance improvement plans (PIPs) to drive accountability, including coaching managers, documenting concerns, and escalating when needed to preserve operational effectiveness.
- Conducted terminations and handled separations with dignity and compliance, ensuring adherence to internal policy and external regulatory requirements while minimizing risk.
- Partnered with department leaders to forecast hiring needs, coordinate interviewing panels, and maintain interviewing standards — improving candidate-hire fit and reducing re-posting rates.
- Oversaw applicant background screening and drug testing procedures, ensuring consistent compliance and fair application of hiring standards.
Regional Training Manager
Tilly’s
10.2014 - 10.2018
Store Manager
Rue 21
10.2013 - 10.2014
Store Manager
White House Black Market
06.2013 - 10.2013
Training Manager
Bath & Body Works
10.2011 - 05.2013
Store Manager
Payless Shoesource
07.2005 - 10.2011
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Missouri Southern State University
05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Education
Missouri State University
05.2004
Diploma - undefined
Hillcrest High School
05.2001
Skills
- Workforce Strategy & Multi-Site Alignment
- Performance Management & Corrective Action
- Investigations & Employment-Risk Mitigation
- Talent Management: Hiring, Succession, Development
- HR Metrics & Analytics
- Employee Relations & Compliance (EEO, OSHA, FMLA)
Certification
- OSHA 30 Certified
- First Aid, CPR, AED Certified
Timeline
Director of Human Resources
Pro Outdoor
01.2024 - Current
Human Resources Manager
Atkore (United Poly Systems)
09.2020 - 01.2024
Human Resources Manager
Securitas Security Services
10.2018 - 09.2020
Regional Training Manager
Tilly’s
10.2014 - 10.2018
Store Manager
Rue 21
10.2013 - 10.2014
Store Manager
White House Black Market
06.2013 - 10.2013
Training Manager
Bath & Body Works
10.2011 - 05.2013
Store Manager
Payless Shoesource
07.2005 - 10.2011
Bachelor of Science - Education
Missouri State University
Diploma - undefined
Hillcrest High School
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Missouri Southern State University