HR Manager

Mission and Key Tasks

Together with your team (n=3) you will be delivering broad HR services to the Buggenhout production plant, employing +/- 600 people, both white and blue collar workers. Sharing your knowledge on human capital management and HR tools, you will be helping all our departments manage their teams effectively in order to achieve the company's current and future business goals.  

Your main tasks and responsibilities 

• You manage and motivate an enthusiastic team of 3 people who have expertise in either hard or soft HR.  
• You maintain excellent employee relations by creating a conducive social climate and taking appropriate action when necessary. You are the liaison between management and employees to assist in resolving problems and conflicts, as well as the liaison with union representatives through active participation in the works council and safety committee 
• You translate and implement company HR policies at the factory site and you make sure that company policies and procedures are followed 
• You advise management on personnel matters. You help them to take on their leadership roles and to support changes 
• You ensure smooth processes throughout the personnel lifecycle: selection, onboarding, performance management…   
• Workforce analysis and planning and translating this into actual workforce budgets. Based on your analysis you make the right decisions on what recruitment programs, employer branding actions and hiring processes are needed to attract the right talents 
• You guarantee timely and accurate personnel and payroll records, including personnel budgets and analysis of personnel costs 
• Lead the department’s yearly budget process and continuously monitor performance versus budget 
• Improve and monitor performance management, by building and maintaining a performance driven culture through communication, follow-up and support to departments in providing the necessary tools for training and development and performance management. 
• You represent the interest of the company and its employees in relation to external partners such as payroll agencies, insurance companies, government agencies, temp. agencies and unions in both contract negotiations and follow up on the quality of services provided 
• You are the representative of the management for social audit 
• You share professional expertise on available HR tools and human capital management techniques 
• Within your role as an HR-manager you act as the HRBP for our white collar workers (N=200), meaning you are actively involved in a.o. the selection and onboarding of new employees, support of our leadership, the follow up of employees who leave the company…  
• You will be reporting to the VP HR Supply Chain and you will be working closely together with the plant manager, management, peers, direct reports… Being part of the Buggenhout Management Team you play an important role in activating and informing the plant management on HR-projects and decisions.  

Background and Experience

• Master/bachelor’s degree in psychology, law or social work  
• At least 5-8 years of experience in HR -both soft and hard HR- within a manufacturing environment 
• You are no stranger to working with trade unions  
• You are able to lead, manage and motivate others. You have excellent communicating, empowering and negotiating skills 
• You have an excellent knowledge of Belgian labour and social legislation and of employee benefits 
• You have an affinity with personnel cost budgeting, analysis, payroll processes and payroll accounting, performance management systems and tools 
• Strong communication skills in Dutch and English 
• Proficient computer skills (MS Office, HRIS)