HR Manager Americas & Total Rewards Manager

Merck Gruppe; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the life sciences sector is seeking an experienced HR Generalist/Business Partner based in Philadelphia. This role is crucial for managing HR operations across the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico, delivering strategic HR support, and developing global policies on compensation and benefits. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree, 5+ years of experience, and strong communication skills, with the ability to navigate complex HR landscapes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of HR experience including generalist/business partner responsibilities and/or compensation & benefits.
• Strong understanding of U.S. labor law; exposure to Latin American HR practices preferred.
• Bilingual: Spanish or Portuguese is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary HR contact for US-based employees, providing hands-on HR support.
• Develop and manage global Total Rewards policies and frameworks.
• Ensure effective outsourced HR operations in Brazil and Mexico.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Work Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Shift: No
Department: EL-PS-H Human Resources
Recruiter:Beverly Dellisola

This information is for internals only. Please do not share outside of the organization.

EMD Electronics has recently signed an agreement to divest its Surface Solutions business to Global New Material International (GNMI). The Surface Solutions business is a global leader in pigments with approximately 1,200 employees in 20 countries. Candidates hired into Surface Solutions will transition to GNMI.

Your Role:

This position will serve as a local HR Generalist/Business Partner for the U.S. (approx. 140 employees across plant, office, and lab settings), manage outsourced HR operations in the Americas, and lead the global Total Rewards function. The role ensures seamless HR delivery in the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico, while developing and implementing global policies for grading, performance management, compensation and other compensation & benefits topics.

Responsibilities:

1. HR Business Partner for the United States: Act as the primary HR contact for US-based employees and managers, delivering hands-on HR support throughout all employee lifecycle activities. You will provide guidance on employee relations, ensure compliance with labor laws, and assist with organizational development and talent management. Additionally, you will support the leadership team on strategic HR matters, including workforce planning and succession planning, to help drive organizational success.

1. HR Oversight for Brazil and Mexico: Implement and manage outsourced HR service providers to ensure the effective delivery of HR processes in Brazil and Mexico. You will ensure compliance with local labor regulations while aligning with company HR policies. Additionally, you will serve as the point of contact for local management and employees in these countries, providing support and guidance as needed.

1. HR Operations Management: Implement and manage the outsourced HR operations vendor for the U.S., ensuring that service level agreements (SLAs) and compliance requirements are met. You will drive process improvements and enhance efficiency across HR services. Additionally, you will ensure proper documentation, data accuracy, and reporting in coordination with shared services or third-party vendors, contributing to the overall effectiveness of HR operations.

1. Global Total Rewards Ownership: Develop, implement, and manage global Total Rewards policies, including grading frameworks, compensation structures, and variable pay schemes such as Annual Incentive Plans, Sales Incentive Plans, and Long-Term Incentive Plans, along with performance management systems. You will lead global compensation review cycles and benchmarking initiatives while supporting equity, pay transparency, and competitive benefits strategies. Additionally, you will serve as the internal subject matter expert for rewards and recognition programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and industry standards.

1. Project and Change Management: Lead and support HR initiatives related to post-merger integration and change management. You will collaborate with the global HR team to ensure alignment of Total Rewards and HR operations practices, fostering a cohesive approach to organizational changes and enhancing overall HR effectiveness.

Who You Are:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or other business field
• 5+ years of HR experience including generalist/business partner responsibilities and/or compensation & benefits

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or HR certification

• Experience working in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Proven success in managing outsourced vendors and remote employee groups
• Strong understanding of U.S. labor law; exposure to Latin American HR practices
• Experience with global total rewards frameworks and tools
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and project management skills
• Bilingual: Spanish or Portuguese

The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, marital status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and programs relating to recruitment and hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Any applicant or employee who believes they have been discriminated against by the Company or anyone acting on behalf of the Company must report any concerns to their Human Resources Business Partner, Legal, or Compliance immediately. The Company will not retaliate against any individual because they made a good faith report of discrimination.