Welcome to MikeNiewoehner.com
I specialize in designing scalable talent systems that put people first—and I back it with the technical expertise to make them work. My passion lies in reducing friction across the hiring lifecycle, whether that’s through automation, data integration, or building workflows that support both recruiters and candidates. I’ve led enterprise-wide ATS and CRM transformations, driven a 30% reduction in time-to-hire, and built TA dashboards that translate complex data into real decision-making power. At the core, I focus on operational excellence that’s human-centered—because great systems should empower people, not get in their way.
About Me
I’m Mike Niewoehner, a Program Manager who builds systems that actually work.
For over a decade, I’ve led tech and ops projects that clean up messes, reduce waste, and make teams faster. Whether it’s rolling out an ATS, fixing workflows that kill productivity, or tightening up data connections between tools, I’ve made a career out of spotting problems and fixing them fast.
I’ve managed CRM and Workday integrations, improved recruiting processes across large orgs, and worked closely with IT, HR, and leadership to make change stick. And lately? I’ve been learning Python, JavaScript, and AI—not to become a developer, but to make better decisions, cut delays, and bring more value to the table.
This site is here to show how I work, what I bring to the table, and how I make complicated systems a lot more straightforward.
Looking for someone who won’t just manage the plan—but fix the parts that break it? Let’s talk.
Experience & Impact
Where I’ve led, what I’ve built, and how I’ve made things work better
Talent Acquisition & HR Systems Program Manager
RaceTrac Inc.
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Led end-to-end implementation of ATS + CRM systems integrated with Workday, reducing time-to-hire by 30% and improving recruiter adoption through system training and stakeholder alignment.
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Automated TA workflows, eliminating 15+ hours/week of manual work per recruiter.
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Built and maintained real-time Power BI dashboards, increasing pipeline visibility and TA reporting accuracy by 25%.
Tech Used:
Workday, Greenhouse, Power BI, SharePoint, API Integrations
Methods:
Agile, Kaizen, Change Management, TA Automation
Sr. TA Operations Analyst
WestRock Inc.
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Led ATS/CRM upgrades and system integrations that cut downtime in half and gave recruiting leaders clearer visibility across operations.
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Ran Kaizen workshops to reduce bottlenecks, speeding up the hiring cycle by 15%.
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Built agile workflows and continuous improvement loops into core TA processes.
Tech Used:
iCIMS, Workday, Tableau, Excel (dashboards + metrics)
Methods:
Agile, DevOps, Kaizen, Stakeholder Training
Corporate TA & HR Analyst
Landis+Gyr
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Led ATS/CRM upgrades and system integrations that cut downtime in half and gave recruiting leaders clearer visibility across operations.
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Ran Kaizen workshops to reduce bottlenecks, speeding up the hiring cycle by 15%.
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Built agile workflows and continuous improvement loops into core TA processes.
Tech Used:
Taleo, Workday, HRIS Reporting Tools
Methods:
Agile, Compliance Audits, Automation Planning
Account Manager / Recruiter
Professional Insight
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Owned 75–90 technical reqs at any time—recruiting across dev stacks (Java, .Net, C++) while managing client delivery.
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Redesigned internal recruiting workflows and improved ATS usability for the team.
Tech Used:
Bullhorn, SmartSearch, CRM Platforms
Methods:
High-Volume Tech Recruiting, Sales + Delivery Model, Candidate Experience Optimization
Corporate Recruiter
Saia Inc.
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Managed exempt and non-exempt hiring across transportation, operations, and leadership roles—including C-suite, terminal managers, and CDL drivers.
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Supported high-volume recruiting initiatives in a fast-paced, seasonal industry.
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Maintained strong cross-regional relationships with hiring managers to anticipate workforce needs and shorten requisition timelines.
Tech Used:
Taleo, Workday
Methods:
High-Volume Recruiting, Workforce Planning, KPI Dashboards
Professional Recruiter
Tech USA
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Sourced and placed technical talent for Fortune 500 clients across IT, engineering, scientific, and federal sectors.
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Managed full hiring lifecycle, including interviews, onboarding, compliance, and employee relationship support.
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Generated new business leads and collaborated with account teams on national recruiting strategy.
Tech Used:
Internal CRM Systems, ATS Platforms
Methods:
Full-Cycle Recruiting, Client Development, Compliance Support
My Methodology
How I turn complexity into clarity—and ideas into impact
I believe the best processes are the ones that feel effortless—because the hard work happened up front.
When I take on a new initiative, I start by mapping a high-level timeline and rough task list to visualize what success could look like. From there, I walk through the potential process end-to-end—who it touches, what systems are involved, any legal or security implications, and most importantly, who stands to benefit. Then I run a mini Kaizen-style discovery to understand pain points, downstream impacts, and where we need alignment across the org.
Once the big picture is clear, I build cross-functional teams around it. I meet with business unit leaders, get their input, and empower them to either step into the work themselves or assign a strong SME to represent their team. These conversations are critical—not just to build the project plan, but to build buy-in. I don’t force change. I create space for the people impacted by the work to be part of shaping the solution. That’s how you drive real adoption.
After we’ve defined milestones and timelines with each stakeholder, I lock it into a shared Task Tracker—my go-to system for keeping everything moving. It includes realistic deadlines (taking seasonality and bandwidth into account), status tracking, task dependencies, and time remaining. We use it to guide weekly meetings, flag roadblocks early, and maintain transparency across every moving piece. I’m relentless about surfacing assumptions early—because in my experience, that’s where most delays come from.
What keeps me motivated is impact—not just delivery. When I hear from an end user that a new system “actually makes their job easier,” or I see time-to-hire drop and applicant engagement spike, that’s the payoff. Data is my compass. It tells the story of whether we built something that just works, or something that truly makes work better.
That’s what drives me: designing frictionless processes that empower people, scale smartly, and produce outcomes you can see in the numbers—and feel in the day-to-day.
Accomplishments
Recognitions
Project Management Excellence
Innovation in Data Visualization
Recognized for successfully serving as a project manager on numerous projects, achieving significant reductions in waste, time to hire, and improvements in overall efficiency.
Implementation Champion
Implementation Subject Matter Expert
As an Implementation Champion, I led the successful integration of comprehensive systems that fostered excellence across the workplace. My commitment to collaboration and innovation ensured that every team member was empowered to contribute to our collective success. Together, we transformed processes and enhanced productivity, creating a thriving environment where everyone can excel.
Talent Acquisition Innovator
Strategic Hiring Leadership
Recognized for innovative approaches to talent acquisition, driving strategic hiring decisions and fostering a culture of excellence.
Contact
Connect with us for inquiries, collaborations, or to share feedback. We welcome the opportunity to engage with you.