Overview:
KOO Recruit is seeking an experienced and dynamic HR Director to lead the Human Resources function for a US-based organization headquartered in Houston, TX, with a key production facility in Bay City, TX. Reporting to the CHRO, this role is a pivotal opportunity to shape HR strategy and operations during a period of significant organizational transformation.
This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution. You will act as a trusted business partner to the US senior leadership team, influencing HR strategy, organizational design, and workforce planning, while also managing day-to-day HR operations. You will oversee employee relations, compliance, systems, processes, and HR initiatives that enhance performance and employee experience.
You will lead a team of five HR professionals and ensure HR delivers value across both corporate and production environments. The ideal candidate thrives on building authentic relationships at all levels—from senior leaders to plant operators—and is comfortable walking the floor, engaging directly with employees, and understanding business realities firsthand.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the US HR function, covering all aspects of HR for salaried and hourly employees.
- Act as a strategic business partner to senior leadership on organizational design, workforce planning, talent strategies, and culture initiatives.
- Contribute as a member of the global HR leadership team to align US HR initiatives with broader company transformation efforts.
- Oversee HR operations and employee relations to ensure compliance, fairness, and consistency.
- Implement and continuously improve HR policies, processes, and systems aligned with global frameworks.
- Drive performance management initiatives, promoting a high-performance culture.
- Ensure competitive and compliant compensation & benefits practices.
- Lead, develop, and mentor a team of five HR professionals.
- Partner with leadership to drive talent management, including succession planning and leadership development.
- Maintain a visible HR presence at both headquarters and production facilities, engaging with employees across all levels.
Experience & Background:
- Extensive HR leadership experience, ideally as an HR Director or Senior HR Business Partner, in chemicals, manufacturing, industrial, or similar sectors.
- Proven ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution in complex, fast-changing environments.
- Broad expertise across HR operations, employee relations, talent management, performance management, compensation & benefits, and organizational development.
- Experience leading HR transformation, process implementation, and HR systems initiatives.
- Experience in global organizations with cross-geography reporting lines.
- Exposure to Private Equity-backed or transformation-driven environments is a strong plus.
Key Competencies:
- Authentic people leader who connects with employees at all levels.
- Strong leadership and team development skills; able to grow and optimize team performance.
- Highly organized, structured, and able to manage competing priorities effectively.
- Analytical thinker with pragmatic decision-making capabilities.
- Agile, solution-oriented, and comfortable navigating ambiguity and change.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to influence diverse stakeholders.
- Hands-on, “roll up your sleeves” approach paired with strategic mindset and business acumen.
- Self-starter with resilience, drive, and a passion for building strong organizations.
