Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company is hiring: VP, Human Resources in Albertvil

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The Vice President of Human Resources is a strategic leader responsible for developing and executing HR strategies that support Progress Rail’s mission, growth, and culture. The VP of HR will execute the people strategy for all HR functions globally by aligning innovative talent solutions with business objectives to fuel the company’s success and growth. This role leads teams responsible for talent management and talent acquisition, performance management, learning and development, compensation and benefits, HR compliance, and positive employee relations, among others. As a key advisor to senior leadership, the VP of HR for Progress Rail will be a champion of a high-performance, inclusive work culture.

Ideal candidate: A dynamic and strategic leader who understands the critical importance of developing strategies to attract and retain key talent. Candidates should have a proven track record in driving organizational transformation with the ability to identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Candidates must possess a strong executive presence, enabling them to influence and inspire at all levels of the organization, and be skilled in navigating complex challenges with a commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Req ID: 11101BR

City: Albertville

State: Alabama

Company Description

Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.

Key Job Elements

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with executive leaders as a strategic advisor to identify and prioritize HR initiatives that align with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team on all people-related matters, including performance management, compensation and benefits.
• Analyze HR metrics and data to identify trends and opportunities, providing data-driven recommendations to senior management.
• Lead workforce planning initiatives to ensure talent readiness for future business needs.
• Lead and influence the design and change management approaches for large-scale, talent-focused efforts impacting highly matrixed business units.

Organizational Development & Culture

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and performance-driven company culture.
• Oversee employee engagement programs, internal communications, and change management.
• Drive leadership development, succession planning, and career pathing strategies.

Talent Acquisition & Management

• Lead strategic talent acquisition efforts.
• Design and implement talent retention strategies and employee experience initiatives.
• Evaluate and improve performance management systems and employee feedback loops.

Compensation & Benefits

• Oversee competitive total rewards strategies including compensation, bonus, equity, and benefits programs.
• Ensure market competitiveness and internal equity while managing budgets and cost controls.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure HR policies and practices comply with federal, state, and local laws and industry regulations.
• Lead risk mitigation strategies and oversee investigations, conflict resolution, and employee relations matters.
• Maintain and audit HR systems, processes, and data privacy protocols.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a high-performing HR team, providing guidance, development, and accountability.
• Create scalable HR infrastructure and implement best practices in processes and systems.

Education / Training

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred).

Qualifications And Experience

• 10–15 years of progressive HR leadership experience, including at least 5 years at a senior executive level.
• Proven track record of developing and leading strategic HR programs in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• A broad knowledge of employment, benefits, compensation, organizational planning, employee and labor relations, training and development is necessary.

Skills & Competencies

• Executive Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; able to prepare reports, present to C-suite leaders, and simplify complex ideas for diverse audiences.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think big-picture and align organizational goals with key success factors.
• Change Leadership: Skilled in guiding organizations through transformation and building commitment in ambiguous or high-stakes situations.
• Business Acumen: Knowledge of business concepts and processes to make sound decisions in varied contexts.
• Global Perspective: Understanding of international business challenges and opportunities with the ability to apply a global lens.
• Organizational Knowledge: Willingness to learn the organization’s vision, structure, culture, and ethics to align capabilities with goals.

Benefits

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors. Salary is one component of total compensation at Progress Rail. Benefits include:

• Competitive Salary
• 401(k) with up to 6% company match (immediate vesting)
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
• Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance with HDHP/HSA options
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and PTO
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Education Assistance Program
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Site-specific Production and Incentive Plans
• Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs (where applicable)
• EEO: Progress Rail is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

Job Category: Executive

PRS Facility Location: Albertville, AL (PRSC Corp HQ) - 001

Seniority level

• Executive

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Human Resources
• Industries: Railroad Equipment Manufacturing

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