HR Operations Specialist

Who will you be working with?

The HR Operations Specialist is part of the HR Shared Services Team and reports to the HR Operations & Payroll Regional Leader. This role works closely with employees, managers, HR Business Partners, Payroll providers, and Centers of Expertise (Talent Acquisition, Compensation & Benefits, HRIS, and Legal) to deliver operational excellence across the employee lifecycle.

How will you make a difference?

As a member of the HR Shared Services Team, you will provide operational support across HR administration, employee lifecycle transactions, and payroll processes for Chile and Mexico. You will play a key role in ensuring accurate and timely execution of HR processes, maintaining data integrity, supporting process improvements, and delivering an excellent employee experience.

You will partner with regional stakeholders to identify opportunities for operational efficiency, support HR projects and implementations, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

What do we want to know about you?

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Accounting, Information Systems, or a related field. Equivalent work experience may be considered.
• Experience in Human Resources Operations, Shared Services, Payroll Administration, or HR Administration.
• Experience managing employee lifecycle processes, including onboarding, employee changes, and offboarding.
• Understanding of payroll processes and local labor regulations, preferably in Chile.
• Experience working with HR systems, preferably Workday.
• Experience using case management or ticketing systems such as ServiceNow.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel (pivot tables, lookups, data analysis).
• Fluent in Spanish. English. Portuguese is an advantage.

Competencies

• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to delivering a positive employee experience.
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Analytical mindset with problem-solving capabilities.
• Continuous improvement mindset and willingness to challenge existing processes.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions and geographies.

What will your typical day look like?

• Execute HR operational processes and transactions across the employee lifecycle, including hiring, employee changes, leave administration, and termination activities.
• Support payroll operations by ensuring employee data is accurate, complete, and submitted within established deadlines.
• Review and audit HR and payroll data to ensure compliance with company policies and local regulatory requirements.
• Act as a primary point of contact for employee and manager inquiries, resolving cases within established service levels.
• Investigate and resolve HR operations and payroll issues, escalating complex matters as needed.
• Maintain employee records and ensure data integrity across HR systems.
• Support the implementation of process improvements, system enhancements, and operational initiatives aimed at improving efficiency and employee experience.
• Participate in regional and global HR projects, including system implementations, organizational changes, acquisitions, and process standardization efforts.
• Develop and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and knowledge articles.
• Monitor service metrics and identify opportunities to improve operational performance and customer satisfaction.
• Partner with HR Business Partners, Payroll vendors, and Centers of Excellence to ensure consistent and compliant service delivery.
• Stay informed of changes in labor legislation, payroll requirements, and HR best practices, recommending operational updates as needed.
• Generate reports and perform data analysis to support decision-making and identify trends or process gaps.

Additional Information

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.