CHARLOTTE, NC – Vesuvius, a global leader in molten metal flow engineering and technology, has placed Leslie Payne as its new Human Resources Director. TCG Managing Partner, Pam Noble, and Partner, Jeff Wilbanks, led and placed the critical HR search.
“Vesuvius is an organization defined by innovation, precision, and excellence. Leslie brings the strategic mindset and operational depth needed to elevate HR across a complex, global environment. Her leadership will be instrumental in shaping a people strategy that supports growth, performance, and cultural alignment. We’re honored to have partnered with Vesuvius on this pivotal search,” shared Pam Noble, Managing Partner at The Christopher Group.
Leslie Payne will shape and lead the HR function for Vesuvius’ largest region. As Regional HR Director, she will serve as a strategic partner to the newly formed Steel organization and its regional leadership team, providing the HR expertise needed to enable the business to achieve its objectives. Leslie’s role will define the future of talent in one of the company’s most critical regions, supporting 1,800 employees across 10 sites. She will have the autonomy to make impactful decisions, influence the leadership team, and build a progressive, strategic HR function that drives growth, engagement, and long-term success.
Leslie Payne brings nearly two decades of progressive HR leadership experience to her new role as HR Director, with a deep background in talent acquisition, organizational development, and strategic HR business partnership. Her career includes nine years at a global packaging and materials company, where she led regional HR initiatives across manufacturing and supply chain environments. Leslie has held roles of increasing responsibility across recruiting, HR operations, and leadership development—guiding teams through complex workforce planning, performance management, and cultural transformation. Known for her ability to align people strategy with business goals, she combines strong operational insight with a people-first mindset to drive results in dynamic, growth-oriented settings.
About Vesuvius
Vesuvius is a global leader in molten metal flow engineering and technology, providing mission-critical solutions that enable the safe, efficient, and sustainable production of steel and foundry castings worldwide. With more than 11,000 employees across 38+ countries, Vesuvius operates a global network of over 75 sales offices, 6 R&D centers, and 50+ manufacturing sites, ensuring close partnerships with customers wherever they operate.
Headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250). Their solutions enhance quality, safety, productivity, and sustainability across some of the world’s most essential industries.
With roots dating back over a century, Vesuvius has built a reputation as a trusted industrial innovator. The company’s culture is grounded in Excellence, Diversity, Creativity, Reliability, Cooperation, and Integrity, values that guide its people and support its role as a partner of choice to global steelmakers and foundry operators.
About The Christopher Group
Through its award-winning, customized HR solutions, The Christopher Group (TCG) delivers critical human capital solutions in the area of executive HR search, interim HR leaders, fractional CHROs, and HR advisory and consulting. Since 1998, TCG has served clients across all industries, locations, company sizes, and verticals. Staffed by former HR professionals and highly trained search practitioners who have sat in the job, TCG has been named one of the Fastest-Growing, Best Non-Profit, Diversity, Private Equity, and Top 50 Executive Recruiting Firms by Hunt Scanlon as well as Forbes’ 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 list of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms.