As the category manager for corporate services within LyondellBasell, a global plastics, chemicals and refining company, Cesar Ayala’s primary responsibility is its contingent labor program. But he wears many hats, including supporting IT, finance, human resources and consulting. “I enjoy it because it’s a challenge,” he says. Depending on the day, he talks to engineers, project managers, and lawyers, among others. “It’s the most people-centric category I’ve ever worked in.” 

Recently, Ayala oversaw a lightning-quick transition of payroll providers. “Last year, following the Thanksgiving weekend, my [MSP] program manager calls me and says our largest payroll provider is exiting the payroll business,” he recalls. The transition, which would affect over 150 contractors, had a planned transition date of Christmas Eve, just a few short weeks away. Together with the program manager, Ayala ran an RFP, managed the large-scale transition to a new provider, went live as scheduled, and ensured the contractors were paid on time. 

Moving forward, Ayala plans to develop better forecasting for talent, using metrics to predict the upcoming needs of hiring managers and streamline the hiring process. He also aims to maintain discipline around analytics and use them to foster partnerships with hiring managers, turning them into advocates for shared responsibility.