HR Operations Specialist, Villefranche-sur-Saône

At Quaker Houghton, we are experts in the development, production and application of industrial process fluids, lubricants and coatings for the manufacturing industry. We have been an integral part in the growth of the world’s largest industrial and manufacturing companies from aerospace and automotive to primary metal and energy. Today, we have a global presence, with our corporate headquarters located in Conshohocken, PA. Quaker Houghton is a global publicly traded company with a unique collaborative culture that supports career growth for its colleagues and offers competitive compensation and benefit programs.

About the Role The

HR Operations Specialist

role is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse and dynamic Global HR Operations team. As part of our global HR support structure, you will help deliver a seamless and positive employee experience and act as the connection point between employees and the Global HR function.

You will serve as the primary coordinator for day-to-day HR activities and manage HR transactions, documentation, and processes across the entire employee lifecycle.

This role also provides multi-country exposure, supporting

HR Operations

in

France, Poland, and Hungary

and participating in global projects designed to streamline HR Operations workflows and drive a consistent and cohesive employee experience worldwide.

What’s in it For You?

A permanent contract

Competitive pay programs with bonus opportunities

Hybrid and flexible hours work arrangement for a better work-life balance

An international, collaborative and dynamic work environment

Access to QH University - an online platform with comprehensive learning tools and development programs for all employees

DEI and recognition programs such as Women in Manufacturing, Next Gen, PRIDE CRGs, and our Global Giving&Impact Awards

Global Giving initiatives offering 2 additional paid volunteering days to support the cause of your choice

Joining a team where supporting each other is part of the culture, in a company where customer success is our own

What will you do?

Perform HR transactions throughout the employee lifecycle (onboarding, offboarding, transfers, job/compensation changes, internal mobility)

Provide transactional support for France, Hungary, and Poland as needed

Manage and resolve HR inquiries through the HR support platform

Provide Level 1 and Level 2 support for HR process-related queries

Route non-HR inquiries to the appropriate teams

Conduct regular data audits in HR systems (HRIS, recruitment platforms) to ensure accuracy and integrity

Coordinate hiring activities with Hiring Managers and Talent Acquisition

Manage new hire setup in local systems and coordinate onboarding workflows

Collaborate with Operations, IT, Payroll, and other teams to ensure smooth onboarding

Support employees with questions about policies and benefits; work closely with Total Rewards on wellness initiatives

Ensure local HR policies and processes comply with statutory and internal requirements

Maintain employee files in line with statutory, regulatory, and internal retention standards

Manage offboarding processes, documentation, and cross-functional coordination

Support disciplinaries as directed by HRBPs

Liaise with global HR colleagues (HRIS, TA, HRBPs) and other internal support functions (IT, Legal, Payroll, FP&A)

Contribute to global projects to standardize and strengthen HR practices

Act as a trusted resource for HR systems and data, supporting enhancements and process improvements

What do we look for? Experience&Knowledge

Experience in an HR/People Operations role, ideally within a multinational environment

Solid understanding of HR regulations and data privacy requirements in France and other European countries

Experience with HRIS platforms; ability to adapt quickly to new systems (Workday and ADP Celergo are strong assets)

Team player with strong organizational and planning capabilities

Results-oriented with a high sense of accountability

Analytical mindset and strong problem‑solving skills

Innovative and open to new ways of working

Customer focused with excellent communication skills

Proficient in MS Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)

Languages

Full professional fluency in

French and English

(spoken and written) is required

Location

Must be within commuting distance to our office in

Villefranche-sur-Saône

(600 Bd Albert Camus, 69400 Villefranche-sur-Saône, France)

Hybrid working arrangement available

Soft Skills

Planning, Organization&Coordination: Manages multiple priorities with strong attention to detail

Results Orientation: Holds self and others accountable to performance goals

Analytical&Problem‑Solving: Identifies issues and leverages resources to resolve them

Innovation: Open to new ideas and promotes digital/technology-driven solutions

Customer Focus: Dedicated to meeting and exceeding employee expectations

Who we are? We are a global leader in industrial process and mechanical engineering applications present in 40+ countries. We are continually improving and innovating so the world’s industrial manufacturers can stay ahead in a changing world. Throughout our 100+ locations, our engineers, chemists and industry experts partner with our customers to play a key role in helping them run even more efficiently, even more effectively, whatever comes next.

Our values: Live Safe , Exceed Customer Expectations, Drive Results, Embrace Diversity and Do Great Things Together.

Join the team and let's do great things together! #J-18808-Ljbffr