HR Generalist EMEA

INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT & HR EXPERTS ACROSS THE PLASTICS, PACKAGING, SPECIALITY CHEMICALS, LIFE SCIENCES, BIOPOLYMER, FOOD ADDITIVES & INGREDIENTS, ENERGY AND RECYCLING SECTORS SINCE 1975.

 

HR Generalist EMEA

Location:  Germany (Hybrid) Office based in Bahlingen 3 days a week
Reporting to: HR Director EMEA

 

Job ref:                      JE /65023

 

Spectrix is seeking an experienced HR Generalist – EMEA to provide operational HR support across a diverse international workforce. This is a hands-on role, partnering with managers and employees across multiple European countries to deliver pragmatic HR solutions while ensuring compliance with local employment legislation.

The successful candidate will have a strong grounding in HR operations across the EMEA region, with particular expertise in German employment law, labour relations and works council engagement. They will be comfortable operating within a fast-paced international business and will ideally have previous experience working for a US-owned multinational organisation, balancing local legal requirements with a global HR framework.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day HR support to managers and employees across multiple EMEA countries.
• Act as the primary HR contact for Germany, providing expert guidance on employment legislation, employee relations and labour law.
• Build effective relationships with managers, supporting them on performance management, disciplinary matters, grievances, absence management and employee development.
• Partner with German Works Councils and employee representatives, ensuring effective consultation and compliance with co-determination requirements.
• Support organisational change initiatives, restructures and workforce planning activities across the region.
• Ensure HR policies and procedures remain compliant with local employment legislation across EMEA.
• Work closely with payroll, finance and external legal advisers to ensure compliance and operational efficiency.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, employee lifecycle activities and offboarding processes.
• Maintain accurate employee records and HR documentation.
• Assist with HR reporting, audits and compliance activities.
• Support the implementation of global HR initiatives whilst adapting them appropriately for local legislative requirements.
• Promote best practice HR processes and continuous improvement across the region.

 

Candidate Profile:

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven experience in a broad operational HR Generalist or HR Business Partner role.
• Strong expertise in German employment law and labour relations.
• Significant experience working with German Works Councils (Betriebsrat) and unionised environments.
• A solid understanding of employment legislation across multiple European countries.
• Experience supporting international HR operations within an EMEA structure.
• Excellent employee relations experience, including disciplinary, grievance, performance and restructuring matters.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence managers at all levels.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills in both German and English.

 

Essential Experience:

• Extensive operational HR experience within an international organisation.
• Expert knowledge of German labour law and employee relations.
• Demonstrable experience working with German Works Councils and collective consultation processes.
• Broad knowledge of employment legislation across the wider EMEA region.
• Experience supporting multi-country HR operations.
• Fluent German and English.

 

Personal Attributes:

• Pragmatic, commercially minded and solutions focused.
• Hands-on and operational, with a willingness to be involved in day-to-day HR activities.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Able to balance business needs with legislative compliance.
• Collaborative, approachable and able to build credibility quickly.
• Comfortable working across different cultures and time zones.

 

Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly

 

 

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the country where the role is located. Evidence of the right to work may be required during the recruitment process.

For reasons of readability, gender-specific language has been simplified. All references to individuals apply equally to people of all genders.

 

 

To apply please contact Jane Edwards

jane.edwards@listgrove.com

0044 (0) 1789 207070

CONNECT WITH ME ON LINKEDIN.

 

Why select Listgrove?

·        Five Decades of Market Intelligence

·        Unrivalled Industry Networks

·        Recognised International brand

·        HR Qualified Professionals

 

To hear from our clients on how we have supported their search for talent and HR needs, please visit Listgrove’s Case Studies page.

 

Throughout 2026 & 2027 you can meet with Listgrove at the following exhibitions:

Interpack, France Innovation Plasturgie, Interplas UK, Plast Milan, Fakuma, ArabPlast, NPE 2027.

 

Performance through People.

 

Please visit www.listgrove.com for more information on our services, global success and testimonials.

 

Listgrove Limited Registered in England No: 01197713