People Operations Specialist Jobs in Kentucky
People Operations Specialist jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in Louisville, Lexington, and the Northern Kentucky corridor near Cincinnati, where employers across healthcare, logistics, and financial services maintain active HR teams. Companies like Humana, Ashland, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky consistently hire people operations professionals at every level, from coordinator to senior business partner. Talent management, employee relations, and HRIS administration are the most in-demand specialties across these markets. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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An exciting career awaits you
At MPC, we’re committed to being a great place to work – one that welcomes new ideas, encourages diverse perspectives, develops our people, and fosters a collaborative team environment.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) will have responsibility for a broad range of human resources functions in support of MPC's Catlettsburg Refinery.
The HRBP's primary role is to partner with organizational leaders to achieve their business objectives by providing guidance and input on employee relations and development issues including, but not limited to, restructuring business units, workforce/succession planning, employee development, performance, staffing, investigations, championing inclusion & opportunity initiatives, and administering and implementing HR policies.
Successful HRBP’s serve as employee champions and change agents. Specifically related to their assigned client groups, HRBPs will be expected to develop and maintain an effective level of business literacy. This position requires the ability to build and foster business partner relationships, influence, and bring about change, as well as a strong drive for results.
This position is part of a job progression with increasing levels of responsibility, competency, and skill. The title and pay grade of the position will be determined by the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Implement HR strategies that are aligned with business needs through influence and change management. Develops and maintains strong business relationships with client groups to drive business results; serves as a key member of business unit leadership teams.
- Promote and fosters inclusion & opportunity in the workplace to support a high performing culture.
- Partners with assigned client groups in the interpretation and administration of various human resources policies and programs, as assigned, involving employment, compensation, benefits, employee relations issues, and other matters.
- Guides and assists employees and leaders in the interpretation and administration of various HR policies, procedures, practices, and programs.
- Provides performance and leadership consulting to client organizations including, but not limited to training, needs assessments, organizational development and meeting facilitation. Collaborates with HR Centers of Excellence (COE) to develop strategies to respond to changing needs.
- Responsible for conducting investigations for the preparation and presentation of facts leading to the resolution of employee disputes related to various issues. Partners closely with refinery leadership and labor relations to manage union-related matters, including contract interpretation, grievance and arbitration support, contract administration, negotiation preparation, and guidance on workforce decisions affecting represented employees.
- Develops, leads, and/or assists with special projects as assigned. Assimilates information and recommends company action based on findings and available funding.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Labor & Industrial Relations, or related field highly preferred.
- Four (4) or more years of related HR experience required. HR Business Partner or HR Generalist experience highly preferred.
- Prior experience in petroleum, utilities, manufacturing or related field is preferred.
SKILLS:
- Strong ability to work both independently and collaboratively to meet organization needs and goals.
- Strong time management and organizational skills.
- Comfortable working with ambiguity and limited information and engaging clients to reach clarity.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and organization needs simultaneously and work effectively in a fast-paced, high-output environment.
- Adapts seamlessly to changing priorities and deadlines.
- Strong collaboration skills and the ability to build good working relationships with internal clients and external partners.
- High curiosity; eager to learn and understand a wide range of energy industry, business and creative subject matter.
- Advanced experience with relationship management (building healthy working relations and partnerships with all levels of employees).
- Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Attention-to-detail, analytical and team oriented.
TRAVEL:
- Expected travel less than 10%
As an energy industry leader, our career opportunities fuel personal and professional growth.
Location:
Catlettsburg, KentuckyAdditional locations:
Job Requisition ID:
00023254Location Address:
11631 US Route 23Education:
Bachelors (Required)Employee Group:
Full timeEmployee Subgroup:
Regular
Marathon Petroleum Company LP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, reproductive health decision-making, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition or AIDS/HIV status, ancestry, national origin, genetic information, military, veteran status, marital status, citizenship or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, click here.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process at Marathon Petroleum LP, please contact our Human Resources Department at talentacquisition@marathonpetroleum.com. Please specify the reasonable accommodation you are requesting, along with the job posting number in which you may be interested. A Human Resources representative will review your request and contact you to discuss a reasonable accommodation. Marathon Petroleum offers a total rewards program which includes, but is not limited to, access to health, vision, and dental insurance, paid time off, 401k matching program, paid parental leave, and educational reimbursement. Detailed benefit information is available at https://mympcbenefits.com.The hired candidate will also be eligible for a discretionary company-sponsored annual bonus program.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Veteran / Disability
We will consider all qualified Applicants for employment, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. In reviewing criminal history in connection with a conditional offer of employment, Marathon will consider the key responsibilities of the role.
See All 39 People Operations Specialist Jobs in Kentucky
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Find JobsPeople Operations Specialist Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
People Operations Specialist Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Chemicals & Materials
- Construction & Real Estate
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in people operations specialist jobs across Kentucky.
- Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a closely related field
- Two or more years of HR generalist or people operations experience in a professional setting
- Working knowledge of HRIS platforms such as Workday, ADP, or BambooHR
- Demonstrated experience with employee relations, onboarding, and performance management processes
- SHRM-CP or PHR certification preferred by many mid-size and enterprise Kentucky employers
- Familiarity with Kentucky labor law, FMLA administration, and federal employment compliance
People Operations Specialist Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a people operations specialist in Kentucky?
Most people operations specialist roles in Kentucky require a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field, though some employers accept equivalent experience. Kentucky does not issue a state license for HR professionals, so the clearest path is pairing a relevant degree with entry-level HR coordinator or generalist experience at a Kentucky employer. Earning the SHRM-CP or PHR certification early demonstrates credibility and is increasingly expected by larger Louisville and Lexington employers.
How much do people operations specialists make in Kentucky?
People operations specialists in Kentucky earn a median of about $69,010 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $43,690 for the lowest 10% to over $107,940 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire people operations specialists in Kentucky?
Employers hiring people operations specialists in Kentucky right now include Morehead State University, PUREM, and Sysco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Kentucky's concentration of healthcare systems, manufacturing headquarters, and logistics companies means demand stays consistent year-round across both corporate and divisional HR teams.
Which Kentucky cities have the most people operations specialist jobs?
The cities with the most people operations specialist openings in Kentucky are Louisville, Lexington, and Corbin. Louisville drives the largest share of postings because it is home to major corporate headquarters and healthcare systems, while Lexington's university presence and Northern Kentucky's proximity to Cincinnati employers create secondary concentrations of HR roles at every seniority level.
Are there remote people operations specialist jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, and more than many HR roles, because people operations work is largely desk-based and documentation-driven. About 38% of people operations specialist openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how well the analytical and administrative sides of the role translate to distributed teams. Tasks like HRIS administration, policy writing, and benefits coordination are the most commonly offered as fully remote.
How can I get hired as a people operations specialist in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an HR coordinator or HR assistant role at a large Kentucky employer, where you support a people operations team and build hands-on experience quickly. Louisville healthcare systems and manufacturing companies like Toyota and Lexmark run structured new-graduate and rotational programs that place candidates into HR functions without prior corporate experience. Moving laterally from payroll specialist, office manager, or recruiting coordinator roles is also common. Earning a SHRM student certification before you apply gives your application a concrete credential to stand on.
Where can I find and apply to people operations specialist jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to people operations specialist jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to Kentucky locations. Search by city or job title to see roles that match your background, then apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and availability.
See All 39 People Operations Specialist Jobs in Kentucky
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