Regional HR Controller & Compensation Specialist in Manheim, Pennsylvania at Carel Usa Llc

SUMMARY

The HR Controller & Compensation Specialists is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing compensation structures, and HR financial controls across the organization. This role ensures internal equity, external competitiveness, and cost effectiveness of compensation programs while maintaining HR budget governance and controlling functions.

The position serves as the primary steward of HR-related financial planning, compensation analysis, and workforce cost reporting, partnering closely with HR Business Partners, Finance, and senior leadership to support strategic workforce decisions.

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other similar duties may be assigned.

HR Controlling & Workforce Cost Management

· Own HR controlling functions for the Americas region, including workforce cost tracking, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.

· Partner with Finance to develop and manage annual HR budgets, headcount planning, and labor cost projections.

· Monitor and analyze total labor costs, including salaries, overtime, benefits, and contingent labor spend.

· Provide monthly and quarterly reporting on HR financial performance and workforce cost trends.

· Identify cost optimization opportunities while maintaining workforce effectiveness and compliance.

Compensation Strategy & Management

· Develop, implement, and maintain compensation structures, pay ranges, and salary bands aligned with market benchmarks and organizational strategy.

· Conduct job evaluation and classification to ensure internal equity and alignment with job architecture.

· Lead annual salary review cycles, merit increases, and bonus planning processes.

· Perform compensation benchmarking and market analysis to ensure competitiveness across all roles and regions.

· Provide guidance to HR Business Partners and leadership on compensation decisions and pay equity considerations.

Payroll Oversight & Financial Compliance

· Direct and oversee payroll operations to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing through ADP or related systems.

· Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local wage, tax, and reporting requirements.

· Oversee payroll audits, reconciliations, year-end processing, and related reporting activities including W-2 administration.

· Maintain strong internal controls and alignment between payroll, HRIS, finance, and accounting functions.

HR Analytics & Reporting

· Design and maintain HR dashboards and reports covering headcount, turnover, absenteeism, compensation, training, and compliance metrics.

· Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to HR leadership and executive management.

· Ensure consistency and accuracy of HR data across all systems and reporting platforms.

· Support forecasting and workforce analytics for strategic decision-making.

Compliance & Governance

· Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to compensation, benefits, and payroll practices.

· Support audit readiness for compensation, benefits, and HR financial reporting processes.

· Maintain documentation and controls to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance in HR financial operations.

Cross-Functional Partnership

· Partner with HR Business Partners to align compensation and benefits strategies with workforce planning and organizational needs.

· Collaborate with HQ HR and, Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and workforce cost governance.

· Support Talent Acquisition by providing compensation guidance for offer development and market positioning.

Program Development & Continuous Improvement

· Evaluate and improve compensation programs to ensure competitiveness and cost effectiveness.

· Recommend enhancements to HR financial processes, systems, and reporting capabilities.

· Support digital transformation initiatives within HR controlling and compensation systems.

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SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

· May supervise a staff of up to 3 employees

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QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.

· 7–10 years of experience in compensation, benefits administration, HR analytics, or HR controlling/finance roles.

· Strong experience in compensation structuring, benefits program management, and workforce cost analysis.

OTHER SKILLS

· Strong understanding of compensation design, job evaluation methodologies, and pay equity principles.

· Experience with HR controlling, budgeting, and financial workforce planning.

· Knowledge of benefits administration and vendor management practices.

· Familiarity with Lean operations or value stream-based cost structures is a plus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

· Strong verbal and written communication skills required.

· Ability to translate financial and compensation data into clear business insights.

· Multilingual Italian, French, and Portuguese is a plus.

COMPUTER SKILLS

· Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (modeling, pivot tables, financial analysis).

· Experience with HRIS systems (ADP Workforce Now or similar).

· Experience with ERP or financial systems (Oracle preferred).

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COMPETENCIES

· Financial Acumen: Strong ability to analyze and manage workforce cost structures.

· Analytical Thinking: Interprets complex HR and financial data into actionable insights.

· Compensation Expertise: Designs and governs competitive, equitable pay structures.

· Governance & Compliance: Ensures regulatory and internal policy adherence.

· Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works effectively across HR, Finance, and Operations.

· Strategic Execution: Aligns compensation and benefits programs with business strategy.

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CERTIFICATIONS

· Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) preferred

· SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred

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PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

· Standard office environment with minimal physical demands.

· Occasional travel to headquarters or branch locations as required.

· Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals w