HR Lead - NL
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What you'll do
- Act as the primary HR partner for managers and employees on complex people matters.
- Independently manage employee relations cases from consultation to resolution - supporting managers and employees with care, fairness and sound judgment, including on performance and, where needed, disciplinary and exit processes.
- Guide managers and employees through more complex sickness absence cases (ziekteverzuim), ensuring full compliance with the Wet verbetering poortwachter.
- Ensure our HR license to operate is maintained at all times, applying knowledge of policies and operating principles to mitigate risks.
- Manage escalations and partner with HR Shared Services to resolve high-risk issues, and implement strategies to prevent them.
- Support a positive, safe and respectful employee environment by addressing concerns promptly and fairly.
- Ensure compliance with Dutch employment law, HR documentation, GDPR and audit readiness.
- Lead Works Council (OR) consultations, advice and approval requests, and stakeholder communications.
- Advise business leaders on OR obligations and best practices.
- Actively drive the next phase of our HR transformation: shifting transactional work towards self-service and our Shared Services organization.
- Work hands-on with our ServiceNow ticketing system and champion its adoption across the business.
- Drive simplification, standardization, and continuous improvement in HR service delivery.
What they're looking for
- Solid HR generalist experience in a complex, international matrix organization.
- Hands-on experience working with an HR Shared Services model and ServiceNow (or comparable ticketing system).
- Proven experience with Works Council (OR) processes in the Netherlands.
- Experience managing sickness absence cases (ziekteverzuim / Wet verbetering poortwachter).
- Strong knowledge of Dutch employment law and HR compliance.
- Experience supporting HR transformation or transitions to self-service / shared services.
- Experience using HR data and analytics to drive improvements.
- Strong employee relations and case management expertise, with sound judgment and the confidence to act independently.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Native-level Dutch and fluent English, written and spoken.
Summarised by NextRaise from the employer’s description, which follows in full below.
Full description from employer
The Opportunity:
HR Leader Netherlands
Location: Netherlands (hybrid) | Full-time
Be the trusted HR partner who helps shape the future of HR in the Netherlands
It's a great time to join Avantor as we continue executing our Revival strategy - shaping the future of our business through a focus on customer excellence, operational excellence and people excellence. This role plays an important part in that journey.
We are looking for an experienced Country HR Lead to be the go-to HR advisor for managers and employees across our Dutch organization. This is an individual contributor role with real ownership: you will manage complex employee relations matters, safeguard our HR license to operate, lead Works Council engagement and play a key role in the next phase of our HR transformation.
One year ago, we launched our HR Self-Service & Shared Services model. You will actively drive the next phase of this transformation: moving transactional work to self-service and shared services, so that this role increasingly focuses on strategic business partnership and the most complex people matters. If you enjoy both hands-on HR work and shaping how HR is delivered, this role offers the best of both worlds.
What you'll do
Trusted HR advisor & employee relations
Act as the primary HR partner for managers and employees on complex people matters.
Independently manage employee relations cases from consultation to resolution - supporting managers and employees with care, fairness and sound judgment, including on performance and, where needed, disciplinary and exit processes.
Guide managers and employees through more complex sickness absence cases (ziekteverzuim), ensuring full compliance with the Wet verbetering poortwachter.
HR governance, compliance & risk management
Ensure our HR license to operate is maintained at all times, applying knowledge of policies and operating principles to mitigate risks.
Manage escalations and partner with HR Shared Services to resolve high-risk issues, and implement strategies to prevent them.
Support a positive, safe and respectful employee environment by addressing concerns promptly and fairly.
Ensure compliance with Dutch employment law, HR documentation, GDPR and audit readiness.
Works Council & employee representation
Lead Works Council (OR) consultations, advice and approval requests, and stakeholder communications.
Advise business leaders on OR obligations and best practices.
HR transformation & service delivery
Actively drive the next phase of our HR transformation: shifting transactional work towards self-service and our Shared Services organization.
Work hands-on with our ServiceNow ticketing system and champion its adoption across the business.
Drive simplification, standardization, and continuous improvement in HR service delivery.
HR programs & business support
Deliver key HR initiatives locally: performance management, compensation cycles, engagement and DEIB programs.
Use HR data and insights to identify risks, improve decisions, and enhance employee experience.
What you'll bring
Solid HR generalist experience in a complex, international matrix organization.
Hands-on experience working with an HR Shared Services model and ServiceNow (or comparable ticketing system).Proven experience with Works Council (OR) processes in the Netherlands.
Experience managing sickness absence cases (ziekteverzuim / Wet verbetering poortwachter).
Strong knowledge of Dutch employment law and HR compliance.
Experience supporting HR transformation or transitions to self-service / shared services.
Experience using HR data and analytics to drive improvements.
Strong employee relations and case management expertise, with sound judgment and the confidence to act independently.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Native-level Dutch and fluent English, written and spoken.
What we offer
A visible HR role with a high degree of autonomy and ownership.
A hybrid working environment with flexibility in where and how you work.
The opportunity to actively contribute to the continued development of our HR organization.
Collaboration within an international company focused on growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Extensive opportunities for professional development, learning, and career growth.
A competitive benefits package, including a pension scheme, holiday allowance, and additional employee benefits.
A culture built on collaboration, respect, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
The opportunity to make a tangible impact on the employee experience and business success within the Netherlands and to work across Europe on various programs and initiatives.
Practical details
Full-time, hybrid role, with at least 3 days per week in the office and a balanced presence across our locations in Amsterdam Sloterdijk, Hillegom Boxmeer, plus occasional visits to customer sites.
Individual contributor role, reporting to the HR Cluster Lead Belgium & Netherlands (based in Belgium).
Why join us?
This is a highly visible role where you will own impactful HR work today — and actively shape what HR looks like tomorrow. As our Shared Services model matures, your role will evolve towards strategic partnership with the business, organizational effectiveness and complex people challenges. You'll work in a collaborative international environment with real influence on how we grow.
If you're an experienced HR professional who enjoys partnering with leaders, solving complex people challenges, and driving meaningful change —
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
Why Avantor?
Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!
EEO Statement:
We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
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