Heather (Cole) Banks
About Heather (Cole) Banks
Heather (Cole) Banks is the Senior Human Resources Director for U.S. Retail Sales at General Mills, with over 14 years of experience in various HR roles across different locations and divisions within the company.
Current Role at General Mills
Heather (Cole) Banks serves as the Senior Human Resources Director for U.S. Retail Sales at General Mills in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area. In this role, she oversees HR strategies and operations for the U.S. retail sales division, contributing to the company's overall human resources management and strategic planning.
Previous Positions at General Mills
Heather has held multiple key positions at General Mills over the past 14 years. Prior to her current role, she was the Human Resources Director for North American Retail from 2019 to 2021, and before that, the Human Resources Director for the Global Supply Chain from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, she has worked in various human resources management roles at the Hannibal Plant, Vineland Plant, and the Global Business Solutions division, among others.
Human Resources Leadership and Expertise
Heather has a substantial background in human resources, having transitioned from an Associate Human Resources Intern to a Senior Human Resources Director at General Mills. Her experience spans plant environments, corporate settings, and global divisions, providing her with a diverse and comprehensive understanding of human resources management.
Educational Background
Heather holds a Master's degree in Labor and Human Resources from The Ohio State University - The Max M. Fisher College of Business, where she also worked as a Graduate Assistant for the Graduate Programs Office from 2007 to 2009. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Centre College, where she studied from 2003 to 2007. Her education in both psychology and labor and human resources provides a strong foundation for her career in human resources.
Industry Experience and Career Development
Heather's career at General Mills began as an Associate Human Resources Intern in 2008. Over the years, she has held various roles such as Associate HR Manager for Innovation Technology & Quality (ITQ) and HR Manager for U.S. retail and supply chain operations. Her career development reflects a steady progression through increasingly more responsible human resources positions, demonstrating her capability and commitment to the field.