People Operations Team Lead

Quaker Houghton; Manchester; Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Quaker Houghton is seeking an HR Operations Lead for the EMEA & AMERICAS region. This hybrid role involves leading a dedicated team, overseeing HR operations, and supporting strategic initiatives. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in HR or related field, with strong leadership and project management skills.

Benefits

Work-life balance with a hybrid & flexible schedule

Continuous training platform for all levels

Volunteering leave

Attractive Wellbeing and D&I programs

Qualifications

• Solid experience in HR/People Operations leader role in a multinational environment.
• Experience managing teams and leading HR operational processes.
• Understanding of employment law in multiple countries required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of HR Operations Specialists across EMEA and AMERICAS.
• Oversee HR operational processes, ensuring compliance and data accuracy.
• Drive operational excellence and transformation initiatives across workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Analytical & Problem Solver

Customer Focus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Workday HCM

Job description

At Quaker Houghton, we are experts in the development, production and application of industrial process fluids, lubricants and coatings for the manufacturing industry. We have been an integral part in the growth of the world’s largest industrial and manufacturing companies from aerospace and automotive to primary metal and energy. Today, we have a global presence, with our corporate headquarters located in Conshohocken, PA. Quaker Houghton is a global publicly traded company with a unique collaborative culture that supports career growth for its colleagues and offers competitive compensation and benefit programs.

As the HR Operations Lead, EMEA & AMERICAS you will lead a team of HR Operations Specialists passionate about delivering a seamless and positive employee experience at all levels in the organization. Partnering across HR and other functional teams, you will actively support transformational initiatives and projects aimed at improving global HR workflows and processes. An exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and international team where your contributions will matter.

Tasks

What will you do?

• Manage a team of four HR Operations Specialists in the EMEA and AMERICAS region: align priorities to business strategy, oversee day-to-day work, provide coaching and manage individual performance & development.
• Manage the team’s work plan: coordinate and allocate work, ensure efficiency and quality assurance and manage continuous improvement projects
• Lead and oversee all HR operational processes in the employee lifecycle, ensuring alignment with compliance and organizational policies, and provide strategic direction to the team.
• Oversee and monitor the timely entry and data integrity of employee data to meet established deadlines for key HR processes (on and offboarding, payroll, benefits, etc.).
• Conduct regular data audits and perform quality checks to ensure accuracy, completion and compliance. Participate in internal and external audits, as required.
• In partnership with HRBPs, recommend, implement and maintain HR policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with internal guidelines and statutory and/or labor union requirements
• Ensure team is delivering consistent, efficient and accurate processes throughout all phases of the employee lifecycle, including but not limited to: data entry, time & absence systems, hiring activities, administrative support of benefits, policies compliance, employee file management, offboarding processes and support disciplinaries.
• Drive operational excellence throughout the employee lifecycle, proactively improving processes, harmonizing workflows and transforming complexity into streamlined practices
• Understand the strategy and lead change management initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions and minimal disruptions through enablement and effective communications with Global HR Operations and stakeholder groups
• Liaise with internal departments to coordinate workflows and ensure successful and timely completion of internal procedures.
• As part of a global team, the role may involve periodic meetings or project work outside local business hours to ensure alignment with international stakeholders.

Requirements

What are we looking for ?

Education: Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience: Solid experience as HR/People Operations leader role in a multinational environment. Team leadership experience is a must. Working with a globally diverse population. Strong hands-on working experience and understanding of employment law requirements, regulations and data privacy guidelines in multiple countries in the assigned regions.

IT Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with Workday HCM is a must.

Language: High level of English is a must, additional languages is highly valued.

Soft skills:

• Leadership
• Project Management
• Results-oriented
• Analytical & Problem Solver
• Innovative
• Customer Focus

Location: Hybrid role based in the Manchester area.

Benefits

What's in it for you?

• Work-life balance with a hybrid & flexible working schedule.
• Competitive pay and bonus opportunities.
• Volunteering leave to dedicate to the cause of your choice.
• Dress for the day policy.
• QH University: Continuous training platform for all seniority levels.
• Attractive Wellbeing, Mental Health, Women Inclusion & D&I programs.
• Join a international and dynamic team that expects proactive and innovative initiatives.

Who we are?

We are a global leader in industrial process and mechanical engineering applications present in 40+ countries. We are continually improving and innovating so the world’s industrial manufacturers can stay ahead in a changing world. Throughout our 100+ locations, our engineers, chemists and industry experts partner with our customers to play a key role in helping them run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next.

Our values: Live Safe , Exceed Customer Expectations, Drive Results, Embrace Diversity and Do Great Things Together.

Our core values embody who we are as a company, guide our decisions and inspire us. Our commitment to these values, in words and actions, builds a safer, stronger Quaker Houghton. They are the fundamental beliefs that guide our internal conduct and our relationship with the outside world.

Join the team and let's do great things together!

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