Senior Manager, Talent and Engagement

Legal Entity: Woodbridge Foam Corporation  

Requisition ID: 3369

About Woodbridge

We are innovators using advanced technology to manufacture next generation products.  We are pioneers in foam technology science and provide our products to customers in multiple industries.  We are a global team of over 7,000 teammates strong who are laser focused on quality, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability.  We are proud to give back to the communities in which we live and work through our Woodbridge Cares programs that serves communities around the world through volunteerism and philanthropy.  We are a people centric organization that has been awarded numerous recognitions for our commitment to manufacturing excellence and innovation.  Join us and be part of a team that is shaping the future of foam technology. 

Woodbridge Culture

Woodbridge takes immense pride in its robust corporate (think people first, innovation, lets get to it, manufacturing focused) culture, which serves our customers, Teammates, and the world. We're thrilled to share that in 2024, Woodbridge has been awarded Deloitte’s Best Managed designation for eight consecutive years. This accolade is not just an award; it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, inspiring you to be a part of our journey!

What's in it for you?

• Competitive Compensation & Benefits Plan
• Defined Contribution Plan with additional company match – Automatic company contribution to a top quartile retirement savings plan with more incentives to match
• Flexible Working Hours
• Employee Assistance Program with free access to health and wellness coaches
• Continuous Learning Culture – We believe in Upskilling & Internal Promotions!

Role Purpose:

The Senior Manager, Talent and Engagement will be responsible for developing and leading strategic programs and global initiatives that drive talent attraction and retention, accelerate onboarding and performance capability, build leadership and technical bench strength through succession planning, identify and develop top talent for career progression, and improve overall employee engagement.  

This role will collaborate, and partner, with the global leadership team and the HR community at Woodbridge to focus on developing a culture of development and deploying best practices that align and position our workforce capability to meet our future business goals

Major Responsibilities and Activities:

Mentorship and Development of HR and Leadership

• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) providing training/onboarding, coaching and mentoring to the HR community and leadership teams with respect to trends and best practices in talent acquisition, learning and talent development, succession planning, engagement and retention
• Develop and manage an effective communication process to incorporate continuous improvement feedback from the organization into program enhancements
• Collaborate and support change management initiatives and communication

Performance Management:

• Lead the Performance Management Cycle ensuring effective cascade and alignment of goals to the overall business strategy, effective performance evaluation and feedback process
• Provide guidance and coaching to managers on recognition strategies and performance improvement plans that increase employee motivation and capability
• Align and enhance leadership and individual contributor competencies, providing the foundation for performance assessment, learning and development, succession planning and staffing effectiveness
• Promote a culture of continuous feedback and professional career planning and growth

Succession Planning:

• Lead the design, development, benchmarking, and implementation of Woodbridge’s global succession planning strategy and high potential identification process
• Identify critical roles in both leadership and technical ladders and facilitate a succession plan that ensures organizational stability, growth and continuity and minimizes risk
• Identify critical succession and pipeline gaps and partner with HR and Business Leaders to activate solutions to minimize risk and pro-actively fill critical vacancies
• Coordinate, facilitate and prepare Talent Review Meetings (TRM), supporting the preparation of respective Board of Director materials and presentations
• Monitor Succession Planning action plans to ensure accountability to committed results

Learning and Development:

• Implement effective assessment tools to support HR and leadership evaluation of competency strengths and weaknesses in selection and development, providing coaching as necessary
• Provide best practice tools, training and coaching on the creation of robust and effective Individual Development and Career Progression Plans
• Establish effective next generation pipeline development programs (ie Coop/Intern Programs) and a career path framework to support increased leadership and technical bench strength
• Engage and manage relationships with an approved set of external training providers and learning platforms
• Create and execute targeted learning strategies and plans through consolidation of total company capability assessment reviews and other learning needs analysis (engaging a mix of instructor led, blended and e-learning platforms)
• Develop and manage enterprise-driven leadership training, mentoring and coaching programs for identified Talent Pools
• Monitor IATF requirements and ensure process discipline and timely completion of onboarding, job required training and learning plans.  Drive continuous improvement to address gaps

Talent Acquisition:

• Develop an approach to strategic workforce planning that ensures Woodbridge’s human capital capabilities meet our business plan and strategy requirements
• Ensure Woodbridge continues to differentiate itself as an Employer of Choice, through the identification and completion of employee recognition surveys (i.e., Best Managed, Top Employer) and a superior candidate experience
• Research and drive adoption of global recruitment and selection market best practices that leverage technology and result in positive candidate experiences, successful and timely selection and onboarding
• Engage and manage relationships with an approved set of external global contingent and retained search partners
• In coordination with local HR team members, build relationships with external talent pools, including universities/technical institutions, professional networks, and industry associations
• Support end-to-end recruitment strategies for identified key senior level roles, leveraging employee referrals, social media and engagement of 3rd party recruitment partners
• Report on relevant global recruiting metrics to assess effectiveness of recruiting programs and talent hired and adapt continuous improvements, as necessary

Employee Engagement and Retention:

• Lead Woodbridge’s global Teammate Engagement Survey process (including our joint ventures, as applicable) providing recommendations for continuous improvement and enhancements (i.e., pulse surveys)
• Oversee, monitor and track the development and progress of identified action plans to drive accountability to committed improvements and Engagement score progress over time.
• Collaborate with local HR Leaders and business leaders to proliferate best practices for recognition, positive engagement, increased employee satisfaction and retention.

Compliance and Culture:

• Ensure Talent and Engagement programs adhere to regional labor laws and regulations.
• Conduct job responsibilities in a professional and confidential manner with cultural sensitivity, neutrality and fairness.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to build a strong organizational culture

Data and Metrics:

• Define and implement KPIs to measure the effectiveness of talent acquisition, development, learning and engagement programs over time, identify trends and present strategies and solutions to address gaps
• Ensure data integrity and relevant global data privacy legislation adherence

Technology Solutions and Optimization

• In conjunction with HR Operations and Corporate IT partners, ensure the effective implementation and ongoing optimization of SAP Success Factors – LMS, Succession Planning and Performance Management Modules
• Incorporate industry best practices to optimize efficiency, data analytics and user experience
• Act as Functional Subject Matter Expert (SME) in coordination with HR Operations/IT to effectively facilitate SAP projects, software updates and maintenance requirements while maintaining functional integrity
• Provide HR community, leadership and end-user training to ensure overall process effectiveness

Minimum Qualifications, Formal Education, Certification or Equivalent

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Organization Development, Psychology or a related field (Master’s degree or HR Certification is preferred)
• 8-10 years of directly related experience leading talent management, with at least 2 years in global capacity
• Deep knowledge and proven track record with implementing innovative and cost effective talent acquisition, succession planning, learning and development, performance management and engagement programs
• Manufacturing experience and exposure to a matrixed global organization is strongly preferred
• Experience with various change management methodologies to support client groups through transformational change initiatives considered as asset
• Solid background in HR software solutions and technology implementations - SAP Success Factors preferred
• Experience with MS Office Suite and professional Social Media platforms
• High degree of confidentiality, professionalism and integrity

Key Competencies:

• Excellent leadership, collaboration and relationship building skills
• Ability to think strategically and act tactically in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Strong analytical and broad scope problem-solving skills
• Highly effective communicator (both verbal and written). Confidence and flexibility to communicate at all levels of the organization, adjusted to regional and cultural conditions
• Strong presentation/facilitation skills with proven ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels
• Adaptability to change in a dynamic environment and positively influence change management
• Excellent Project Management skills – ability to collaborate, communicate and align across global regions and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously
• Strong organizational skills, prioritizing and multitasking in fast paced environment
• Ability to drive accountability, quality execution and timeline achievement
• Strong initiative, sense of ownership and resourcefulness to mine for, and implement, creative solutions
• Strong coaching skills and passion for nurturing talent and fostering growth
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with objectivity and discretion; high personal standard of integrity

Woodbridge is committed to fostering a diverse workplace. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider applicants without regard to race, colour, ancestry, creed, place of origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other protected status. If you have any accommodation requirements, please let us know, and we will do our best to meet your needs in accordance with applicable local legislation.