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Ketjen

Advanced catalysts for refining and petrochemicals

HR Payroll & Operations Specialist

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
No salary listed
Junior
Bachelor's
Budapest, Hungary
Hybrid
People & HRHR Operations & Coordination

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 2 years of relevant work experience in HR administration.
  • A college or university degree.
  • Fluency in English.
  • Advanced computer skills, including office applications, and a strong affinity for technology and digitization.
  • Good analysis, interpretation, and problem-solving skills.
  • Customer service and communication skills.
  • Ability to prioritize and organize many independent processes.
  • Attention to detail and accurate system inputs, especially when handling sensitive employee data.
Responsibilities
  • Manage the end-to-end employee lifecycle and serve as the first contact for colleagues via phone, chat, and online requests.
  • Prepare employee documentation, including contracts, agreements, and employment verification letters, in a timely manner.
  • Support regional onboarding and offboarding processes.
  • Maintain the HR database with company structure changes and employee data.
  • Respond to written and verbal inquiries from internal and external sources, providing information and facilitating communication.
  • Maintain records of employee communications and appropriately store and safeguard required documentation and correspondence.
  • Participate in ongoing initiatives and projects outside day-to-day work.
  • Perform and prioritize multiple tasks under time constraints and shifting priorities.
  • Follow and provide oral and written directions to employees, maintain cooperative working relationships, and interact with employees in a helpful, courteous, and concierge manner.
  • Identify opportunities to optimize HR processes and reduce manual touch points.
  • Assist in resolving employee queries.
  • Manage ad hoc duties and special projects.
  • Collate data for internal and external audits.
  • Provide HR customers and colleagues with HR customer service.
  • Archive HR-related documents according to the Record Retention Schedule.
  • Process payroll for all employees accurately and on time.
  • Ensure compliance with payroll regulations and laws.
  • Maintain payroll records and ensure data integrity.
  • Handle payroll inquiries and resolve discrepancies.
  • Collaborate with HR and finance teams to ensure accurate payroll processing.
  • Assist with payroll audits and reporting.
  • Stay updated on payroll best practices and regulations.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with ServiceNow, Workday, or comparable human capital management systems.
  • Knowledge of any European language.

About the company

Ketjen provides advanced catalyst solutions for the petrochemical, refining, and specialty chemicals industries. It offers three divisions: Fluidized Catalytic Cracking catalysts to boost high-octane gasoline and propylene production, Clean Fuels and Hydroprocessing catalysts for hydrotreating and hydrocracking (including renewable fuels), and Performance Catalyst & Curative Solutions, with Albemarle retaining ownership of PCS. Notable technologies include the QUASAR platform for hydrotreating and SaFeGuard to protect FCC units from iron poisoning, with collaborations with ExxonMobil, SK Energy, and Eurecat. Ketjen serves 25+ markets worldwide and aims to help customers improve efficiency, yields, and sustainability, including renewable fuels like SAF and renewable diesel and plastics recycling programs.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Houston, Texas

Founded

2023

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • KPS closed its controlling acquisition on March 2, 2026, backing Ketjen operationally.
  • André Lanning became CEO on April 15, 2026, bringing 10 years refining-catalyst experience.
  • Imubit pilots began May 12, 2026, extending Ketjen’s digital services into AI optimization.

What critics are saying

  • Albemarle kept PCS on March 2, 2026, stripping Ketjen of adjacent specialty-catalyst cross-sell.
  • Ketjen’s March 2026 KPS buyout leaves minority Albemarle ownership and split incentives.
  • Pilot Imubit deployments stay limited to North America and Europe, delaying revenue scaling beyond 2026.

What makes Ketjen unique

  • Ketjen and Aramco signed a March 24, 2026 FCC joint development agreement.
  • Ketjen’s iKet Connect platform fuses catalyst models, lab data, and refinery telemetry.
  • SaFeGuard cut iron poisoning in a 30-day trial, boosting FCC accessibility 77%.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Remote Work Options
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Wellness Program
  • Mental Health Support
  • Gym Membership
  • Conference Attendance Budget
  • Professional Development Budget
  • Stock Options
  • Company Equity

Company News

Chemical Today Magazine
May 13th, 2026
Ketjen and Imubit partner to bring ai-driven catalyst intelligence to refineries.

Ketjen and Imubit partner to bring ai-driven catalyst intelligence to refineries. May 13, 2026 / HOUSTON: Ketjen has partnered with Imubit to introduce advanced AI-powered catalyst intelligence solutions designed to enhance refinery performance, operational stability, and decision-making in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) and hydroprocessing units. The collaboration combines Ketjen's deep expertise in catalyst technologies, laboratory analysis, and optimization strategies with Imubit's real-time industrial AI platform capable of continuously learning from live refinery operations. Together, the companies aim to provide refiners with faster insights, predictive operational guidance, and improved process visibility through Ketjen's iKet Connect digital platform. By integrating live process data with advanced analytics and catalyst expertise, refinery operators will gain near-real-time recommendations tailored to current operating conditions. The system is designed to detect operational deviations early, quantify performance impacts, and support more informed decisions related to catalyst management, process optimization, and unit efficiency. The partnership reflects the growing role of digitalization and artificial intelligence in modern refining operations, where companies are increasingly seeking smarter tools to improve profitability, reliability, and sustainability in complex processing environments. Initial pilot projects are already underway with refinery customers across North America and Europe, with broader global expansion planned in the coming years. The initiative marks another significant step toward AI-enabled refining operations where real-time data, automation, and technical expertise work together to optimize industrial performance.

Business Wire
Apr 15th, 2026
Ketjen appoints André Lanning as CEO to lead catalyst firm's next growth phase

Ketjen Corporation, a catalyst and specialty chemicals company, has appointed André Lanning as chief executive officer, succeeding retiring CEO Michael J. Simmons. The Houston-based firm is backed by KPS Capital Partners. Lanning brings 35 years of senior management experience in the chemicals industry, including a decade in refining catalysts. He previously served as CEO of TFL Ledertechnik and Advanced Refining Technologies, a joint venture between WR Grace and Chevron. As CEO, Lanning will focus on accelerating Ketjen's strategic priorities and delivering solutions to customers worldwide. Ketjen serves global customers in 25 markets, providing catalyst solutions for petrochemical and refining industries. KPS Capital Partners manages approximately $19.1 billion in assets as of December 2025.

Hydrocarbon Engineering
Mar 25th, 2026
Ketjen and Aramco collaborate on FCC catalysts.

Ketjen and Aramco collaborate on FCC catalysts. Published by Ellie Brosnan, Editorial Assistant Hydrocarbon Engineering, Wednesday, 25 March 2026 10:00 Ketjen Corp. and Saudi Aramco Technologies Company (SATC), a subsidiary of Aramco, have entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) to co-develop, test, and deploy next-generation fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts and additives. The collaboration is designed to help elevate the performance of Aramco's refineries and affiliates by potentially optimising product yields and reducing environmental impact. This agreement brings together the technical expertise, research capabilities, and innovative ecosystems of both organisations. Through close collaboration, SATC and Ketjen will aim to help accelerate the development of proprietary FCC catalysts and additives. These advancements are expected to support enhancing refinery performance by increasing yield of high-value products such as gasoline and propylene, while helping to lower the environmental footprint of Aramco's refining operations. This strategic collaboration aims to combine Aramco's decades of innovation in refining catalysts with Ketjen's recognised expertise in FCC catalyst development, manufacturing excellence, and technical depth. By aligning Aramco's operational insights with Ketjen's R&D capabilities, the collaboration is expected to deliver precision-engineered solutions that enhance refinery performance, optimise resource utilisation, and advance Aramco's goals. Together, Ketjen and Aramco aim to set the stage for advancements in efficiency, yield optimisation, and environmental stewardship. Bob Leliveld, Chief Technology Officer at Ketjen, said: "With proven expertise in FCC catalyst innovation, Ketjen is proud to collaborate with a global energy leader like Aramco. This collaboration is expected to support the development of next-generation catalyst solutions, aligning with Aramco's global operational strategies and setting a new standard for efficiency and performance across the industry." Faisal Al-Otaibi, Director of Aramco's Research and Development Center, commented: "By co-developing next-generation catalysts and FCC solutions with Ketjen, we are not only optimising processes but also setting a new benchmark for the industry. This partnership is expected to accelerate our ability to unlock molecular-level efficiency, reduce emissions, and convert raw materials into higher-value products. Our collaboration with Ketjen reflects our ongoing focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence." Through this joint initiative, both companies reaffirm their efforts to help advance the refining industry. The JDA reflects a shared vision to potentially deliver technologies that help meet the evolving demands of the energy sector and address global market challenges. p>A podcast series for professionals in the downstream industry featuring short, insightful interviews. Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to start listening today. Embed article link: (copy the HTML code below):