Senior Manager, Compensation (Operations & Manufacturing)

Pay: $50/hour
Duration: 12-month contract with strong potential for full-time conversion
Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid – 3 days onsite / 2 days remote)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager, Compensation to lead and support compensation strategy across North America Operations and Procurement. This role partners closely with HR Business Partners and senior business leaders to design, implement, and administer compensation programs for both hourly and salaried employee populations within a complex manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in broad-based compensation, strong analytical capabilities, experience supporting union and non-union manufacturing operations, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders while leading large-scale compensation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead compensation strategy and program administration for hourly and salaried employees across North America Operations and Procurement.
• Support the redesign and implementation of annual salary structures for the U.S. and Canada.
• Evaluate and enhance hourly incentive plans to improve effectiveness, competitiveness, and payout efficiency.
• Administer annual salary planning, merit increases, and incentive compensation cycles.
• Conduct market pricing, compensation benchmarking, and market analytics to support business decisions.
• Perform job evaluations using Korn Ferry Hay methodology for broad-based and leadership roles.
• Design and maintain salary structures that ensure internal equity and external market competitiveness.
• Partner with HR Business Partners, Operations Leadership, and Commercial Leadership to provide strategic compensation guidance.
• Lead salary survey participation and analyze compensation trends across multiple countries.
• Develop and deliver compensation-related training for HR and business leaders.
• Recommend and implement compensation process improvements, policies, and governance to ensure compliance and support a pay-for-performance culture.
• Lead cross-functional compensation initiatives while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

First-Year Priorities

• Redesign annual salary structures for the U.S. and Canada.
• Assess and improve hourly incentive plan effectiveness and payout efficiency.
• Deliver market intelligence and compensation analytics to support HR and business leadership.
• Successfully execute annual salary planning and compensation administration.
• Build strong partnerships across HR, Operations, Procurement, and Commercial Leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or related advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive compensation experience, with significant experience supporting manufacturing and operations organizations.
• Experience supporting both hourly (union and non-union) and salaried employee populations.
• Strong knowledge of compensation program design, market pricing, salary structures, job evaluation, and incentive plan administration.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyze and interpret complex compensation data.
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of compensation laws, regulations, and best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large, multi-site manufacturing organizations.
• Korn Ferry Hay Job Evaluation (Job Slotting) experience.
• People management experience.
• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or other HR certification.
• Experience operating within a global compensation environment while balancing local market needs.
• Demonstrated success leading compensation strategy within a COE or shared services model.

Ideal Candidate

We're looking for someone who has successfully led compensation strategy in a complex manufacturing environment and can confidently partner with senior leadership. The strongest candidates will have expertise supporting both hourly and salaried workforces, advanced compensation analytics skills, Korn Ferry Hay experience, and a proven ability to drive change while balancing business objectives with competitive compensation practices.

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