Sr. Manager, U.S. Payroll

LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. With a nearly 70-year legacy that includes a Nobel Prize in Chemistry and proprietary MoReTec recycling technology, LYB is enabling a more sustainable future. We develop high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. We place high priority on diversity, equity, and inclusion and are addressing global challenges such as ending plastic waste, taking climate action, and supporting a thriving society.

About the role

This Sr. Payroll Manager role, based in Houston, is a hybrid position working in-office 3 days per week. The position is responsible for the accurate and timely production of US and Canadian payrolls in a multi-state/province environment while managing 4+ direct reports. The role will work closely with HR leads in the U.S. to support projects and foster relationships with internal partners while driving continuous process improvement. Responsibilities include leading auditing, balancing, and recording each payroll, as well as developing and implementing process improvements to ensure proper execution of payroll administration and related accounting activities in compliance with global and local policies, laws, and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Assist in developing the strategic direction for U.S. and global payroll as a key partner within the People & Culture function.
  • Collaborate with HR, Finance, Legal, and external vendors to align payroll operations with business goals and compliance requirements.
• Operational Oversight
  • Lead end-to-end U.S. payroll processing for multi-state, multi-entity operations.
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local payroll tax regulations.
  • Oversee expatriate payroll processing and coordination with global mobility teams.
  • Manage payroll audits, tax filings, and year-end reporting (e.g., W-2s).
  • Develop and maintain process and project documentation to ensure compliance with internal and external controls.
  • Define system processes and structures to adhere to regulatory and financial requirements, including tax and GAAP.
  • Ensure systems and processes are designed with effective controls and appropriate segregation of duties.
• Team Development
  • Develop and mentor a high-performing, diverse payroll team to be self-directing and accountable, including hiring, training, and staff development.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, ownership, and operational excellence.
• Process Improvement
  • Identify and implement process enhancements and automation opportunities.
  • Leverage technology (e.g., SuccessFactors, SAP Payroll) to streamline payroll operations.
  • Lead or partner in systems implementation projects relating to attendance-to-gross, gross-to-net, benefits, compensation, and/or HR.
• Vendor & Stakeholder Management
  • Manage relationships with payroll vendors and third-party providers.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for payroll-related inquiries.
  • Provide support to internal and external customers to ensure requests and daily requirements are met accurately and timely.
  • Address and resolve employee payroll-related inquiries or issues to meet crucial payroll deadlines.

Requirements

• Must possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate in a multicultural environment.
• Proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment.
• Ability to translate business requirements into functional solutions for IT teams.
• Some travel required.
• BA/BS degree or equivalent in Business, Information Systems, or a related field.
• 7-10 years of progressive payroll experience using SAP (or equivalent large ERP) for payroll processing, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. payroll laws, tax regulations, and compliance standards.
• Extensive experience with end-to-end payroll process design and execution for large-volume payrolls.
• Experience managing expatriate payroll and working in a global payroll environment.
• Experience managing payroll in Latin American countries is a plus.
• Experience with system testing and troubleshooting.
• Experience with SuccessFactors as an HR system is a plus.

Skills

• Proficient in MS Office products, with very strong Excel skills.
• Ability to comprehend complex assignments quickly and use initiative to accomplish goals.
• Ability to learn quickly and work in a fast-paced environment.
• CPP (Certified Payroll Professional) certification is a plus.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and leadership skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with merit increases and short-term incentive (STI) percentage.
• Dental, vision, and employee assistance program.
• 401(k) Plan with a 6% company match.
• Retirement (Pension) Plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Life, AD&D, and LTD insurance.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Vacation and holidays.
• Educational assistance.

LyondellBasell prioritizes safety, innovation, and personal and professional growth. We foster an inclusive environment where collaboration drives impactful solutions.