Qureos Mentor

Kuraray America

<div>Title: Sr. HRIS Specialist
Location: Houston, TX 
Who we are:
Voted one of the Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work for, Kuraray America, Inc. (KAI) is a global leader in specialty chemical, fiber, and resin production. With top-of-the-line research and production facilities and a vast network of supplies from around the world, Kuraray leads the industry in specialty dental, fiber, resin, and elastomer products. Kuraray America is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Company, Ltd. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Kuraray has operations in 32 countries and employs more than 11,000 employees, including over 800 in the United States.
Why Kuraray:
Kuraray is building a better tomorrow, today. Our team members are dedicated to expanding our business with committed professionals who share essential values such as integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability.
As a part of Kuraray America, Inc., our team shares the advantages of working for the leader in specialty chemicals, resins, and fibers. Our international presence and resources allow us to be a world-leading innovator in the industries we service. Yet, despite our size, our people are more than just a number. As a new team member, you can expect to earn responsibility quickly. Our commitment to our people is visible in our comprehensive benefits package. As a Kuraray team member, you will have the opportunity to enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, incentive opportunities, and an excellent work environment. 
Position Summary:
The Senior HRIS Specialist serves as the Americas subject matter expert for HR technology, responsible for supporting, stabilizing, and optimizing the region's HR systems ecosystem, including the ADP suite (Workforce Now, Workforce Manager) and related modules. This role ensures that payroll, benefits, and workforce systems operate with minimal disruption while supporting the region's transition toward a modernized global HR technology landscape. 
This position combines deep operational expertise with strategic transformation leadership. The incumbent ensures system stability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement across all Americas legal entities while maintaining a clear understanding of end-to-end HR process flows across multiple platforms. The role partners closely with Payroll, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Learning, and HR Operations to translate real business workflows into scalable, harmonized system solutions that align with global Workday design while meeting regional operational and regulatory requirements. 
The Senior HRIS Specialist plays a critical role in identifying risks early, driving mitigation strategies prior to testing and go-live, and supporting key harmonization decisions that balance global standardization with regional realities. The position also manages operational stability during a dual-system environment-supporting the current ADP ecosystem while enabling the implementation and adoption of Workday. 
Responsibilities:
Americas HR Systems Ownership (Current-State Operations) 
<ul><li>
Serve as the Americas HR systems subject matter expert for ADP, ADP WFN, and ADP WFM, ensuring operational stability across payroll, benefits, time, and workforce management processes
</li><li>Lead complex troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and integration issue resolution while partnering with vendors to manage escalations, service performance, and system enhancements
</li><li>Ensure data integrity, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance across HR systems while identifying process improvements through collaboration with HR, Payroll, and Benefits teams
</li><li>Manage system implementation, upgrades, configuration, testing, and ongoing maintenance to ensure optimal performance and alignment with business needs.</li><li>
Act as a primary escalation point for complex HRIS issues, ensuring timely resolution.</li><li>
Coordinate with HR, IT, and external vendors to resolve system issues, implement enhancements, and maintain system functionality.</li></ul> 
Global Workday Implementation &ndash; Americas Functional Lead<ul><li>
Serve as the Americas regional HRIS functional liaison for the global Workday implementation, representing regional operational, regulatory, and legal entity requirements in global design discussions.</li><li>
Support change readiness, transition planning, and post-go-live hypercare across Workday and legacy systems in partnership with global and regional stakeholders.</li><li>
Partner with global HRIS leaders and regional counterparts (EMEA, APAC) to ensure alignment with global standards while addressing local needs.</li><li>
Lead Americas HRIS workstream activities including requirements gathering, configuration validation, testing support, data validation coordination, and user acceptance testing (UAT) for the region.</li></ul> 
End-to-End Process Harmonization
<ul><li>Map and analyze Hire-to-Retire processes across Americas entities to identify harmonization opportunities and operational risks
</li><li>Partner with HR Operations and Centers of Excellence to design sustainable cross-system workflows aligned with global standards and local regulatory requirements
</li><li>Support future phased decommissioning of legacy ADP modules through impact analysis and transition planning</li></ul> 
Reporting, Data Integrity &amp; Analytics
<ul><li>Develop, maintain, and deliver operational dashboards and custom reports to support HR, Finance, and executive leadership decision-making.
</li><li>Audit and reconcile data across Workday, ADP, and system integrations to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability.
</li><li>Monitor system data health and compliance metrics; proactively investigate and remediate discrepancies.</li></ul> 
Process Documentation &amp; Training<ul><li>
Document HRIS procedures, system configurations, workflows, and governance standards to support operational continuity and audit readiness.
</li><li>Create and maintain user guides, job aids, and training materials for HR partners, managers, and end users.
</li><li>Deliver training and enablement sessions to drive adoption, consistent system use, and operational efficiency</li></ul> 
Compliance &amp; Governance<ul><li>
Ensure HR systems comply with HIPAA, SOX, GDPR (where applicable), and regional payroll regulations
</li><li>Maintain documentation of system controls, integrations, and audit processes to support governance and compliance requirements
</li></ul>Partner with Legal, IT, and HR leadership to maintain data governance standards; monitor regulatory changes and update controls/documentation accordingly.
Cross-Functional &amp; Vendor Partnership
<ul><li>Collaborate with Payroll, Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Learning, HR Operations, IT, and Finance to align HR technology solutions with operational needs
</li><li>Serve as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and external vendors to drive issue resolution and system improvements
</li><li>Evaluate system enhancements and support integration reliability and data governance standards</li></ul> 
Project Management &amp; Continuous Improvement<ul><li>
Lead or support HRIS initiatives including integrations, enhancements, workflow redesign, and data migrations
</li><li>Develop risk mitigation strategies to protect payroll, benefits, and workforce data accuracy
</li><li>Drive automation and process improvements while balancing operational stability with long-term transformation objectives</li></ul> 
Technical Troubleshooting &amp; Integrations<ul><li>
Provide production support for HRIS issues, integration failures, and data discrepancies.</li><li>
Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to data exchange between HRIS and third-party or internal business systems.</li><li>
Support ongoing optimization of integrations to ensure reliability and data accuracy.</li></ul> 
Minimum Qualifications:<ul><li>
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Human Resources, or a related field, or equivalent work experience
</li><li>Minimum of 7 years of progressive HRIS and people analytics experience supporting complex, multi‑module, global HR systems
</li><li>Hands-on experience with Workday and ADP platforms, including core HCM and related modules (Recruiting, Talent Management, Benefits, Payroll), with the ability to support, configure, and optimize functionality
</li><li>Experience partnering with global HRIS teams and stakeholders across multiple regions within a standardized global system environment
</li><li>Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio), with advanced Excel skills and experience in data visualization and reporting
</li><li>Demonstrated project management experience using tools such as MS Project, Smartsheet, Asana, and Nintex
</li><li>Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and technical problem‑solving skills with a focus on data integrity
</li><li>Solid understanding of HR, Payroll, Finance, and IT processes and their integration within enterprise HR systems
</li><li>Proven experience leading cross‑functional and cross‑regional initiatives, managing vendors, and delivering HRIS integrations or enhancements on time and within scope
</li><li>Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and ambiguity in a fast‑paced global environment
</li><li>Knowledge of end‑to‑end HR operations and familiarity with HRIS integrations, system security controls, data governance, and data privacy regulations across regions
</li><li>Outstanding verbal and written communication, presentation, interpersonal, consulting, and analytical skills
</li><li>Valid driver's license required</li></ul> 
Competencies:<ul><li>
Customer Focus
<ul><li>Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.</li></ul></li><li>
Business Insight
<ul><li>Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals.</li></ul></li><li>
Cultivates Innovation
<ul><li>Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.</li></ul></li></ul><ul><li>
Action Oriented
<ul><li>Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.</li></ul></li><li>
Ensures Accountability
<ul><li>Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.</li></ul></li><li>
Drives Results
<ul><li>Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstance</li></ul></li><li>
Collaborates
<ul><li>Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.</li></ul></li><li>
Values Difference
<ul><li>Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization</li></ul></li><li>
Communicates Effectively
<ul><li>Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.</li></ul></li><li>
Courage
<ul><li>Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.</li></ul></li><li>
Instills Trust
<ul><li>Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.</li></ul></li><li>
Situational Adaptability
<ul><li>Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.</li></ul></li></ul> 
We offer a competitive compensation package that includes base pay and an annual incentive. This program is designed to reward individual performance and align overall rewards with corporate and team performance.
Our employees benefit from a robust healthcare package that includes wellness reimbursements, along with generous perks such as three weeks of paid time off, ten company holidays, paid parental leave, education reimbursement, and a matching 401k plan, among other offerings. 
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.
Learn more at kuraray.us.com/careers/
Kuraray America, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity/disability/protected veteran status
No third-party candidates accepted.</div>

Sr. HRIS Specialist

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Kuraray America

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Sr. HRIS Specialist