Career Development Plan Summary

University of Phoenix

Today’s economy demands that employers face the challenges that are associated with the economy, internal budget pressures, and a highly competitive business environment. Kudler Fine Foods is owned and operated by Kathy Kudler. She currently manages the business by herself which includes staffing, ordering of merchandise, marketing, and personalized customer service. With visions of growing the business, Kathy is stretched to the extreme and needs assistance with the leadership roles necessary to successfully operate and mature the business. Even though Kathy has managers and assistant managers in each store, she needs a team that can not only relieve her of some of her duties, but also assist Kathy in creating a roadmap for the envisioned future state of Kudler Fine Foods.

Business Development and Excellence
The proposed reorganization in the chart below will give Kudler Fine Foods the leverage and capabilities to offer not only additional products but a full range of new catering services. This proposal strives to reorganize our current staff to best draw from their talents as well as evaluate new employees for the best appointment. Proper department organization and placement of employees is critical to the success of this new endeavor. A new department has been created within the organization and is identified as Business Excellence and Development. The department will consist of five new positions to include a purchasing specialist, marketing and sales representatives, sales forecasting, and customer service. The organizational chart below illustrates the department structure.

Business Excellence and Development

The job descriptions and qualifications of the five new positions are: * Marketing and Sales Specialist – Directly represents the value of Kudler Fine Food’s products and services to current customers and identifies potential customer base. Develops product and service presentations to distinguish Kudler Fine Foods from the competition. Supports sales strategies by providing training to customers with expertise on the products and services of Kudler Fine Foods. Provides guidance in the development of new product lines and services based on customer request and assists and guides the development of marketing and positioning strategies. Preferred Bachelors in Marketing or the equivalent of 7-10 years of sales/marketing experience. * Purchasing Specialist - Acts as an authorized agent of the company with responsibility for managing all supplier-related activities and the ability to obligate company resources through contracts and agreements. Coordinates customer requirements, identifies sources, and selects best value source. Negotiates pricing and other contract terms and conditions. Prepares and executes the negotiated contractual documents and binding agreements. Interprets and enforces contract terms and conditions. Defines performance expectations, establishes metrics, evaluates and monitors performance and meets with suppliers. Leads regular supplier performance reviews. Builds successful supplier relationships. Preferred Bachelors in Supplier Management or the equivalent of 5 years supplier management experience. * Purchasing Clerk – Accepting and editing purchase agreements, corresponding with suppliers, preparing purchase orders, and performs store product analysis to ensure customer needs are being met. Entry level position, no experience required. * Business Excellence Specialist - Supports Business Development and Excellence Manager by assisting in the development and implementation of plans and processes that measure performance to comprehensive plans for the company’s business goals and objectives. Performs research on market/industry dynamics and trends and assists in preparation of presentations that will address a wide spectrum of issues and which will serve as the basis for leadership decisions on the direction of company processes and procedures. * Customer Service Representative – Provide first point of contact for customers who have questions or issues with products or services. Works closely with marketing and sales team to ensure customer satisfaction. Entry level position, but prefes some customer service representative experience. Prefers someone knowledgeable with Kudler’s products and services. * Processes and Procedures Specialists – Works closely with business excellence specialist to ensure that the right metrics are used to measure the company’s performance. Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent of 3 years experience in program management.

Training Program Recommendations The development of an orientation process for new employees is critical in meeting new employee needs and instrumental in their long term success. The purpose of this training and mentoring program is to make new employees, rehires, and transfers feel welcome and facilitate their smooth transition into the Kudler Fine Food’s culture and work environment.

Training and Mentoring Program Objectives
The objectives of the new employee orientation are to provide the employee with a comprehensive, standard approach to integrating into the organization, any new employee, regardless of experience level. The new employee will receive an orientation of the organizations structure and culture, as well as an introduction to their new position and work group. The new program will provide the employee with a mentor who will support them through the orientation process and help them become productive quickly. It is expected that the new employee and the group will get to know one another, and benefit from the relationship more quickly as a result of their active participation in this program.

The Human Resources organization will offer a presentation to new hires periodically. The objective of this overview is to provide the new employee with a broad understanding of how the organization is structured, what each group is responsible for, and how the business development and excellence department fits into the organization at large.

Web-based training will be utilized to familiarize the new employee of general company policies and procedures. Time for completion will be set aside during the first two weeks of employment. These courses will include ethics and diversity training, employee code of conduct, as well as a variety of other courses.

Individualized training sessions will be utilized to familiarize the new employee of department goals, specific job duties and responsibilities, as well as location of desk instructions and guidelines. Throughout the orientation experience, the peer mentor will strive to provide the new employee with the tools, processes, and procedures to accomplish the assigned tasks. The peer mentor will familiarize the new employee with organization procedures, answering any questions the new employee has or be the focal point for getting those questions answered. They will spend most of the first day on the job with the new employee and allocate time to be available throughout the entire orientation process.

Evaluating employee and team performance

Kudler Fine Food’s leadership has emphasized the importance of employee development and helping to increase employee satisfaction and job fit with their career, as well as helping to increase employee/manager communication and overall company goals.

Employee Feedback
Employees and managers will work together to define development opportunities that can enhance performance in the current position or prepare the employee for future career plans. The employee records development goals and action plans. Then the manager and employee discuss and agree to the plans. This planned will be reviewed formally each quarter to ensure that the employee is on track to meet their annual goals and objectives. Managers within the Kudler organization are required to keep an “open-door” policy. Employees are encouraged to schedule periodic appointments with their manager to discuss future development plans and plans to complete training curriculums.

Helping employees reach a higher level of performance.
Opportunities will be available to help the employee reach a higher level of performance. A standard toolkit has been developed. The purpose of this toolkit is to provide the manager and employee with instrumental tools and information. A list of core competencies can be located in the toolkit. It is highly encouraged that the employee begins the development process by completing a self-analysis against these competencies and then discuss with their manager, or someone that knows them well, to rate themselves against these criteria. The manager’s feedback, along with the employees own evaluation will provide helpful insight into which values to develop and include in the employee’s individual development plan.

Opportunities for advancement
There are many opportunities for advancement that will assist employees to excel within the organization. Kudler’s development program will consists of various educational opportunities such as: * Mentorships – A formal mentorship plan has been established whereby mentors volunteer and are selected and trained to interact with employees in various mentorship styles. Employees are mentored to according to their goals, level of experience, and organizational needs * Special Projects – Special projects will give employees the experience that is unattainable through a normal statement of work and will increase the employee’s understanding of technical and management career paths. * Rotational programs - Rotation programs are formal programs that provide opportunities for employees to gain skills through one or more temporary assignments.

Incentives and benefits packages
A comprehensive compensation and benefits plan is essential in today’s competitive business environment. Kudler Fine Food’s believes that their employees are integral to the company’s growth and success and recognizes the value of employees and is committed to providing a competitive pay and benefits package. The package is designed to meet the needs of a diverse workforce and evolving work environment.

Elements of a New Compensation Plan
Kudler Fine Food’s realizes that compensation is more than a paycheck. Some of the elements of the total compensation plan package are: * Base pay * Overtime Pay * Pay for time not worked (vacation, holiday, and sick time) * Promotions * Recognition Programs * Health and insurance benefits * Savings plan * Pension plan * Training and Education, and * Employee Assistance Programs

This compensation plan is effective because it offers pay and benefits that are competitive with those offered by other large employers. The plan supports Kudler’s business plans and workforce needs by re-enforcing pay for performance and providing quality, cost-effective benefit options. Pay and benefits are a shared responsibility between employees and the company, therefore the plan offers information, tools and resources to aid employee decision-making and planning and also encourages employees to do their part by maximizing benefits and being actively involved.

Employee Motivation
A rewards and recognition program within Kudler Fine Foods will consist of many motivational means. Employee of the month, quarter, and year awards are awarded to employees that set examples of excellent work ethics and motivated behavior. There are several methods of motivating employees. To improve performance Kudler Fine Foods uses a combination of employee involvement and lean manufacturing techniques. Employee involvement is the foundation for implementation of processes, organizational structures, and systems that gives every employee a voice and ownership in running the business. Adding to the incentive for improved/excellent performance, monetary bonuses are offered annually, depending on the overall performance of the company. Employees are motivated to assist in the overall goal of having a profitable year through this avenue. The company’s philosophy on effective recognition is that it must be timely, proportional, sincere, specific, and personal. In addition to rewarding and recognizing the workforce, employees are encouraged to complete or continue their educational goals through full tuition reimbursement programs and online career development curriculums.

Summary of Kudler Fine Food’s Compensation and Benefits Package
The information provided includes but is not limited to the following links:

Total Pay and Benefits
Pay is only part of the comprehensive package. This link will provide the employee with a summary of the costs of benefits to the employee as well as the costs to the company. Included in the information will be a summary of annual base salary and a breakdown of the value of benefits such as health care, company-paid insurance, employee paid insurance, employee paid disability, savings plan, pension plan, and social security. Flex schedule options, overtime, holiday, and sick time accumulation and vacation planners are located within this link.

Health Care and Disability Benefits and Insurance
This link provides the employee with insurance selections and flexible spending account information, as well as beneficiary information and forms. Additionally, there are tools located here that will assist the employee in calculating long term insurance benefits for beneficiaries.

Retirement and Savings - Planning for the future
This link provides employees with a summary of contribution and savings account information. It also provides various tools such as growth of pension benefit at various ages, pension vesting status and accrued benefits, calculating growth of savings at different inflation rates, and social security benefit estimate for planning.

Other Programs and Services
This link provides information on tuition reimbursement options, rewards and opportunities, employee-community funds contribution options, and available employee discount programs. Employees are encouraged to make an appointment with their manager or human resources focal for additional information or questions.

Flexible Schedule Opportunities
Two flexible schedules will be offered to employees. A 9/80 schedule in which employees will work 9 hours Monday through Thursday each week, with every other Friday off. Alternately, employees are able to choose a 4/10 schedule in which they are scheduled to work 10 hours per day with every Friday off. The benefits to employees are cost savings for transportation, a greater work/life balance, and increased morale. The program is not without challenges, such as customer coverage, providing knowledgeable backup for days off, and costs to educate management and employees of the process. Managers and employees will share these responsibilities to ensure the program’s success.

Team diversity and maintaining individuality
Each employee is unique in character and each employee will be treated as a diverse individual. It is our goal to promote a culture that encourages personal development and growth in an inclusive environment that maximizes each individual’s contributions to the organization. Kudler Fine Food’s encourages participation in groups such as Women in Leadership, Hispanic Employees Network, Black Employees Associations, American Indian Society, etc.

References

Career Development Plan I – Job Analysis and Selection; McAdams, (2010)

Career Development Plan II – Development of a Training and Mentoring Program, McAdams, (2010)

Career Development Plan III – Performance and Career Management, McAdams (2010)

Career Development Plan IV – Compensation; McAdams (2010)