Lead Specialist, Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Job

If you are looking to make an impact in leading talent acquisition initiatives and being a strategic and consultative partner to our teams and organization, then look no further.  We are seeking a Lead Specialist, Talent Acquisition and Onboarding to join our team! 

The Lead Specialist, Talent Acquisition and Onboarding, serves as a strategic partner to management and HR Business Partners across North America.   This role will report to the Director, Talent Management and Acquisition and is responsible for proactive sourcing, recruiting, and hiring initiatives to meet current and future talent needs operating with a forward-thinking mindset, keeping updated on trends and the latest TA practices and digital system evolutions to support building strong talent pipelines, engaging passive candidates, and driving recruitment excellence and results through implementation of best practice techniques, tools, metrics and KPIs.  The incumbent also provides oversight and execution of various Talent Acquisition programs, including:

• Oversight for the employee referral program, primarily managed by the Talent Acquisition Coordinator - which Includes providing subject matter expertise and training to HR and hiring managers
• Collaborating with partners In HRIS and the HR community and providing oversight for the onboarding programs and activities to ensure delivery of high impact onboarding practices with attention to employee experience and employer brand awareness while meeting the needs of all business and manufacturing sites.
• Serving as a key contributor to global recruitment related practices including process improvement efforts participating within Talent Acquisition and cross functional teams at a local, regional, and global level teams. Influences and ensures stakeholder and regional needs are represented and aligned, and knowledge is shared.
  
  

This role requires proven success in sourcing and recruiting within engineering-intensive environments, as well as manufacturing and R&D settings. The incumbent will operate with an inclusive, collaborative approach while demonstrating strong leadership capabilities—building followership, influencing decisions, and guiding stakeholders toward optimal outcomes.  This position requires someone who has as strategic mindset, demonstrates system comfort with digital curiosity, and who communicates in a consultative style sharing data-driven insights to shape talent strategies and action. Beyond traditional recruiting, this role demands a commitment to strategic workforce planning, talent pipeline development, and process optimization. The individual will also provide direct or indirect leadership, mentoring others, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring alignment with all compliance standards and organization goals.

Detailed responsibilities include:

Talent Acquisition (Sourcing and Recruitment) - Strategy and Execution:

• Lead the development and execution of proactive staffing strategies and workforce planning aligned with Arkema Group’s Human Capital goals. Partner with hiring managers to forecast talent needs and consult on optimal sourcing approaches.
• Drive strategic sourcing initiatives by identifying, evaluating, and implementing innovative methods and technologies to attract top talent. Provide expert guidance on talent attraction and selection strategies.
• Oversee the full-cycle recruitment process, ensuring a high-quality candidate experience and timely delivery of qualified talent. Act as a strategic advisor to hiring managers, providing consultative support throughout the selection process.
• Serve as the lead talent acquisition administrator and subject matter expert for the Applicant Tracking System (SuccessFactors), continuously enhancing system functionality and user experience. Train and support the HR community, talent acquisition, and hiring managers in system usage and best practices.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with external sourcing and recruitment vendors, including executive search firms, staffing agencies, universities, and technical schools. Negotiate and manage vendor relationships while guiding internal practices to ensure alignment with organizational needs.
• Represent the U.S. region on the Global Talent Acquisition Business Process Owner team contributing strategic recommendations and ensuring regional alignment with global initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to hiring managers and HR partners, influencing talent decisions through market intelligence and best practices.
  
  

Onboarding oversight and delivery

• Lead pre-employment processes to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience across all sites. This Includes vendor relationship and process management, collaborating cross functionally, with a commitment to compliance 
• Lead onboarding initiatives partnering with HRIS, HR and site leaders to activate best-in-class onboarding practices and materials.
• Provide backup support for Corporate New Hire Orientation and pre-employment screening processes, ensuring compliance and a seamless candidate transition
• Ensure collaboration with HRIS on the training and delivery of onboarding tools and processes to HR Partners and other Internal clients as required.

• Metrics & Process Training and Management
• Partnering with the organization and HR community, will design, implement, and manage recruitment metrics and dashboards to turn metrics into action (measure effectiveness, identify trends and recommended action).
• Lead process improvement projects within Talent Acquisition and Onboarding, applying project management principles to enhance efficiency, scalability, and stakeholder engagement.
• Provide training and mentorship to junior team members and HR colleagues, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous development.
• Facilitate and lead Talent Acquisition webinars and best practice sessions for the HR community, talent acquisition and hiring managers, promoting best practices and process consistency.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications and Education Required

• Minimum of 7 years of total experience, including 5+ years of talent acquisition experience
• Professional, Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing and/or related recruitment experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with larger scale ATS systems and recruitment technologies (Successfactors’ recruitment and onboarding module experience a plus)
  
  

Education and area of focus

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business or other job-related field
• AIRS, PHR, SHRM-CP and/or other HR or Recruitment certifications preferred
  
  

Competencies            

• Strong communication skills across all organizational levels
• Strong ability to analyze data and recommend effective strategies
• Demonstrated project management orientation with proven ability to effectively manage change, multiple priorities, and stakeholder relations while meeting deadlines.
• Exhibit creative problem-solving skills, driven by strong verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated success in influencing and achieving outcomes through the behaviors of others
• High attention to detail and commitment to data integrity.
• Actively develops and trains others, shares knowledge and also learns from others.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong consultative relationships at all levels with key stakeholders, Managers, HR Partners, Peers, Vendors and the like.
• Developed career track record as a valued, trusted advisor to team members, HR partners and hiring managers.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate ideas, influence actions, and deliver positive outcomes through collaborative work practices.
• Eager to learn at a brisk pace, while also developing and mentoring others
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel and reporting tools; PowerBI experience preferred
  
  

HES Requirement – All Jobs

• Supports the site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements
• Participates in HES activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g., Behavioral Base Safety, SafeStart, etc.)
• Supports and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental, near-miss, accident or injury incidents
  
  

Physical Demands/Working Conditions     

• This role is primarily performed in a professional office environment (onsite or hybrid).
• Occasional travel (10% or less) may be required to other sites for meetings and training/learning.
• The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods.
• Requires frequent use of hands/fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office tools.
• Occasional lifting of materials or equipment up to 10 pounds.
• May require extended hours or schedule flexibility during peak or high volume cycles

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