Human Resources Manager, Technology (R&D)

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2024 revenue of approximately $9.4 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Responsibilities

This role will support one or more organizations at our Kingsport, Tennessee site. The individual selected for this role will serve as a key member on respective Division Leadership Team(s), as well as the site and global HR team.

To be successful in this role, the individual in this position will need to excel at consultation and coaching, diagnostic and analytical problem solving, customer service, advocacy, and communications. Strong cooperation and collaboration with all HR and business stakeholders are essential.

Key Accountabilities:

• Provides HR consulting services to stakeholders regarding processes managed, in both proactive and reactive ways.
• Able to forge strong partnerships in order to effectively coach, challenge, and develop mid to senior level leaders.
• Manages complex employee relations cases.
• Drives resolution of issues, in collaboration with partners in talent acquisition, client services, employment legal team, and other groups.
• Coordinates and is responsible to ensure that all HR policies covering managed processes are up to date and fully documented. Will establish strong partnerships with relevant HR policy owners.
• Builds capability in managers to facilitate an open, inclusive, values-based environment that enables effective employee experience. Ensures HR role is perceived as an objective employee resource and escalation path for unresolved HR issues. Instills trust and confidence by maintaining objectivity and clearly communicating rationale behind recommendations. Remains professional at all times.
• Fosters a culture of ethical behavior. Ensures the client organization follows Eastman and HR policies and regulations, as well as local workforce laws. Ensures business leaders are making decisions and taking actions that are in accordance with them. Mitigates potential risk to the company.
• Analyzes trends and identifies issues in and across teams, synthesizes results of analysis and makes sound recommendations.
• May be included as team member or may lead other various HR related projects with a wider focus than immediate client group(s).
  
  

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong business acumen and people acumen, and ability to consult, coach and influence business leaders at a managerial level around complex HR decisions.
• Excellent cross-group collaboration, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong systems-thinking ability. Demonstrable experience in analyzing business issues and providing scalable HR solutions that address & align to broader business requirements.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity, and achieve results in a fast-paced, heavily matrixed team environment.
• Ability to manipulate and analyze HR data and drive solutions or recommendations based on data insights.
• Demonstrated knowledge of HR laws such as EEOC guidelines, FLSA and ADA.
• Can demonstrate the ability to prioritize based on the highest value add to business
• Can lead medium to large-scale projects and HR processes.
• Proficient in HR Systems and Microsoft Office Products, such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint
  
  

Education and Experience:

• BS/BA degree required.
• Years of Experience Required: 5 years of relevant, HR Focused work experience.
  
  

Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.

Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully diverse workforce and a broadly inclusive workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.