Head of Talent

Location:Northbrook, IL, US, 60062

Job Description

The Head of Talent is a strategic and operational HR executive responsible for shaping and executing an enterprise-wide talent strategy that drives operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth. This leader will oversee Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Performance Management, Organizational Effectiveness, and Transformation, ensuring the company attracts, develops, and retains the talent needed to deliver on business goals across multiple manufacturing sites and corporate functions.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic architect and a hands-on leader who thrives in a dynamic manufacturing environment, balancing workforce transformation with the realities of a production-driven business. This role reports to the CHRO and is a key leader on the global HR leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:

Talent Strategy & Leadership

• Partner with the CHRO, Executive team, HR COE's and HRBP's to design and execute an integrated enterprise talent strategy aligned with company growth, productivity, and culture goals.
• Develop a best-in-class Talent Center of Excellence (COE) covering talent acquisition, development, and performance, leveraging industry best practices
• Serve as a key advisor to the executive leadership team on succession, leadership readiness, and workforce capability.

Talent Acquisition

• Lead enterprise recruiting strategy ensuring strong pipelines for critical roles including skilled trades, operations leaders, and engineering talent.
• Develop and implement workforce planning processes to anticipate talent needs and align with production and expansion objectives.
• Strengthen the employer brand to deliver a world-class candidate experience that reflects the company's values and performance culture.

Talent Management & Development

• Develop and implement robust succession planning, leadership development, and early-career programs.
• Partner with plant and operations leaders to enhance frontline leadership capability and workforce engagement.
• Launch scalable learning and upskilling programs aligned with lean, safety, quality, and digital manufacturing initiatives.

Performance Management

• Enhance the company's performance management framework to promote clarity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Integrate business objectives and performance outcomes into goal setting, feedback, and reward processes.
• Drive change leadership: lead company-wide change management and enablement with clear communications, manager/leader training, and executive storytelling to ensure high adoption and trust in the new performance process.
• Utilize data and analytics to drive performance insights and inform talent decisions.

Organizational Effectiveness & Transformation

• Lead organizational design, culture evolution, and change management initiatives that enable agility, capability, and modernization.
• Partner with senior leaders to drive workforce transformation and process optimization to support growth and modernization objectives.
• Leverage analytics to assess organizational health and measure transformation outcomes.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive HR or Talent leadership experience, including at least 10 years in a senior enterprise-level talent role.
• Potential successor for CHRO, HR Generalist experience preferred.
• Proven success in a manufacturing or industrial operations environment, ideally in a multi-site, publicly traded company.
• Proven track record of designing launching and scaling high impact programs across performance management, talent reviews, succession planning and skill-based strategies.
• Demonstrated experience leading workforce transformation, talent development, and culture change.
• Data-driven decision-maker with experience implementing HR analytics and talent technologies.
• Strong executive presence and ability to influence across all levels—from the plant floor to Senior Management.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's in HR, Industrial/Organizational Development, or Business preferred.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Pay Range: $180,000 - $245,000

The salary range for this position is determined by considering a variety of factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and the location of the position.

At Stepan Company our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Discretionary Bonus
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K with Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD / LTD)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Adoption Assistance
• Reactions – Recognition Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Established in 1932, Stepan Company is a major manufacturer of basic and intermediate chemicals including surfactants, polymers, as well as specialty ingredients that go into consumer, household, and institutional products such as laundry detergents, shampoos, and surface cleaners. Stepan Company currently has 22 global manufacturing locations and over 2,500 employees. We have a strong record of growth. Our growth allows us to provide meaningful career opportunities and stability to our team members. We have big goals at Stepan and know every team member will be crucial to achieving our objectives. Regardless of function, we are looking for team members who bring with them a growth mindset, an entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive in an evolving environment.

We celebrate diversity at Stepan and are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Stepan is a global specialty and intermediate chemical manufacturer that has been serving a broad range of industries for over 90 years. Today, Stepan is a $2.7 billion revenue company. Our continued success is driven by the passion and commitment of our 2,500+ employees around the world.

Why Work At Stepan?

• Stable & Growing

• Collaborative Environment

• Make a Difference & Be Recognized

• Committed to Safety & Sustainability

• Value Driven Culture

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