Ketjen Corporation · 4 days ago
HR Operations and Payroll Director
Houston, TX
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
7+ years expKetjen Corporation is a provider of advanced catalyst solutions to leading producers in the petrochemical, refining, and specialty chemicals industries. They are seeking an experienced HR Operations and Payroll Director to lead global HR services and ensure operational excellence across diverse employee populations.
ChemicalChemical EngineeringIndustrial
Responsibilities
Oversee day-to-day HR operations across all regions, ensuring consistency and compliance with local labor laws
Develop and implement global HR policies, procedures, and standards
Lead HR process optimization initiatives to improve efficiency, scalability, and service quality
Structure and implement innovative HR solutions and technologies to support evolving business needs and enhance employee experience
Implement and manage tiered service delivery models to efficiently triage HR support requests, integrating self-service and automated solutions for common inquiries
Manage global payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely processing across multiple countries
Drive payroll transformation initiatives to enhance scalability, efficiency, and compliance
Partner with finance, tax, and external vendors to ensure compliance with tax and regulatory requirements
Monitor payroll systems and reporting for accuracy, audit readiness, and continuous improvement
Maintain and enhance HRIS platforms, ensuring data integrity and robust data governance
Develop and manage dashboards and reports that provide actionable insights into workforce trends, payroll accuracy, and operational efficiency
Utilize advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and data visualization to inform workforce decisions and identify opportunities for process improvement
Present key HR metrics to senior leadership to support strategic decision-making
Ensure adherence to international labor laws, data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR), and internal policies
Support internal and external audits related to HR and payroll
Establish strong payroll quality controls and audit methodology
Partner with regional HR Business Partners to ensure smooth onboarding and offboarding experiences for employees globally
Standardize and continuously improve processes for new hire setup, orientation, and exit procedures
Ensure compliance with documentation, systems access, and payroll transitions during employee lifecycle changes
Lead and mentor the global HR operations team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation
Collaborate with Talent and Culture, Total Rewards, HR Business Partners, IT, Legal, and external partners to deliver seamless HR services
Act as a key liaison between HR, IT, Legal, and external partners
Maximize the effectiveness of technologies and processes to drive continuous improvement and automation
Implement robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to optimize HR workflows and improve data integrity
Continuously evaluate and upgrade HR systems to ensure they meet the evolving needs of the organization and comply with regulatory changes
Qualification
Required
Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in HR operations or shared services
Minimum of 3 years of experience in a managerial role
Bachelor's degree in human resources or related field, or 11 years of progressive HR operations or shared services experience in lieu of a degree
Strong knowledge of HR operations, payroll, HRIS systems, and compliance requirements
Demonstrated experience in process improvement, project management, and HR service delivery
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities, with experience supporting and influencing stakeholders at all levels
Proven ability to lead and develop diverse, geographically dispersed teams
Strong alignment with Ketjen's core values: curiosity, care, collaboration, humility, accountability, and integrity
Preferred
Experience working in chemicals manufacturing or a similar sector
Experience with global HR operations and multi-country payroll
Professional certification such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR/SPHR, or Payroll Certification Designation
Experience with HR technology implementations, process automation, and AI-driven solutions
Experience with Workday, ADP GlobalView, SAP, ServiceNow, Freshworks, or similar platforms
Strong acumen for financial controls and compliance with laws and policies
Experience in developing and implementing HR analytics strategies that drive business results
Benefits
Competitive compensation
Comprehensive benefits package
A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.
Company
Ketjen Corporation
Ketjen provides advanced catalyst solutions to leading producers in the refining, petrochemical, and specialty chemicals industries.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknown2025-10-27Acquired
Leadership Team
Henri Tausch
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Ketjen Corporation
Michael Simmons
President
Recent News
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2025-10-31
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