Recently, we sat down with Jim Tyznik, Director of Corporate Human Resources at MPW Industrial Services, to chat about his background in the industry and his plans for the Human Resources department.
Where did you get your start?
I worked for Worthington Industries for 15 years early on in my career. While there, I was able to get experience in a range of disciplines – anywhere from corporate finance and sales to operations and general management.
Can you tell me a little bit about your background?
Pulling from my finance and operations background, I actually started as a plant manager in the Newark, Ohio facility when I first came to work at MPW in 2010. After that, I took over the responsibility of managing all the Industrial Water manufacturing plants in the U.S., and then in 2013, I moved on to manage operations for the Industrial Water Field Services division.
Things shifted in October 2015, when I was asked to take on an entirely new role as director of corporate human resources, which includes HR, training and development, as well as the compensation and benefits group. So far, it’s been a great fit for me.
What made you decide to move on to HR?
When the position was offered to me, I decided I wanted to explore the people aspect of our business in a different light, which is what I’ve liked most about my career thus far. I also wanted to find a way to help the company solidify a plan for long-term growth by building a strong network of employees. MPW puts a lot of stock in its team and the way each department is run, and I wanted to help share that philosophy in this new role I’ve now assumed.
Can you walk me through a typical day for you?
My days encompass a little bit of everything, honestly. On a daily basis, I’m able to touch a variety of business segments, which is great for me because I love being part of each piece of the business. I get to stay involved in the finance world as well as the operations, and use my background to help drive the HR department.
What do you like most about your job?
For this role, I really enjoy working with all different disciplines – it’s a great opportunity to see how everything fits together. With the path we’re on today, we’ve truly never been in a better position from a business standpoint and to be part of that really drives me to improve day in and day out. It’s not just one segment of our business, all of MPW has a bright future right now and I’m proud to play a role in whatever capacity I can.
What are some of your goals for your department in 2017?
My biggest goal is to develop and maintain business partnerships between the HR team (including the benefits and training group) and all business segments in hopes of better aligning the groups on best business practices, business values and operating philosophies.
If someone asked you, ‘Why should I accept a job at MPW’ what would you tell them?
Two things. To start, MPW has a great working environment and there are almost always possibilities for career growth. And second, MPW is truly an exceptionally run company. I love working here – and that feeling can’t be put into words. To be involved in a family-run and family-focused business has been a great career move for me. We’re in a very challenging industry, and luckily, we have the right leadership and team members in place to help us succeed. I suppose that’s all you can ask for.
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