Doug Battista knows that often, a human resources department is taken for granted. Most people realize the impact the financial team and information systems team has on a business’s operations, but what about human resources, asks Battista?

HR is about far more than processing timesheets and firing unruly employees, Doug Battista explains. As President of North America Field Operations, a division of Nestlé, Doug Battista oversees the recruitment, training, and retention for more than 4000 employees. The former head of Talent Acquisition for Nestlé USA knows the importance of recruiting great talent. Everything hinges on this, Doug Battista explains. Today, Doug Battista speaks with the staff of Interviewing Experts about the value of HR in a successful organization.

Interviewing Experts: You’ve been in HR for a while. Many people think of HR as the group they turn to when they need advice on retirement or dealing with a difficult person.

Doug Battista: Yes, we often act as counselor, but we’re so much more. We’re business analysts, mediators, and recruiters, just to name a few of our many responsibilities.

Interviewing Experts: Each of these items contributes to a business’s success.

Doug Battista: Absolutely. The way I explain it is that if employees are a business’ best assets, HR is working hard to protect that asset.

Interviewing Experts: Sounds similar to the work the budget team does.

Doug Battista: In that sense, it is. In recruiting, we ensure the business attracts the best workers and once we have them, we do what it takes to support and maintain that workforce.

Interviewing Experts: During these tough economic times, HR has faced an all-new set of challenges. Layoffs and cutbacks, as opposed to recruiting. How has that changed the field of HR?

Doug Battista: No matter what the economic situation, HR is most often “change management.” Whether that is dealing with a merger, layoffs, or an influx of new employees. Change can be very stressful, and HR is tasked with smoothing the transition.

Doug Battista has helped Nestlé Corporation save thousands of dollars by streamlining processes in his time with the company. Additionally, Doug Battista improved analytics and recruiting. Doug Battista lives in Southern California.