Interim Sr Employee Relations & HR Manager | Global Chemical Company
About the position
The Interim / Temporary Sr HR Manager is a well-experienced HR leader responsible for Employee Relations and Transformation initiatives agenda in the Netherlands and will support and report to the Regional Sr HR Manager, with a strong focus on employee relations, Dutch labour law, and works council governance within a chemical and industrial environment.
The role requires a deep understanding of HR implications in redundancy processes, terminations, reskilling activities, and negotiations with key internal and external stakeholders, including safety-critical roles, shift-based work, regulated working conditions, strict compliance frameworks and best HR practices.
This role balances legal robustness, operational continuity, and a human-centred leadership approach.
Responsibilities
β’ Own all employee relations matters, including performance management, disciplinary cases, absenteeism, and exits in a safety-critical environment.
β’ Act as a strategic liaison with the Works Council (OR) and employee representatives.
β’ Ensure full compliance with Dutch labour law, internal policies, and applicable collective agreements.
β’ Lead reorganisations, restructurings, employee transfer processes and harmonisation activities.
β’ Handle sensitive cases involving safety, conduct, fitness for work, and compliance with care and diligence.
β’ Act as a trusted advisor to the Regional Sr HR Manager and leadership team on people and organisational topics regarding Transformation and Cost-Saving strategies.
β’ Translate global HR policies into a compliant Dutch HR strategy suited to chemical distribution and logistics industry practices, as well as global and local company policies.
β’ Execute workforce planning activities across operational, corporate, technical, and commercial functions.
β’ Support organisational change linked to site operations, process optimisation, and regulatory requirements.
β’ Oversee HR policies, employment contracts, and internal regulations aligned with chemical-industry standards.
β’ Ensure consistent, high-quality HR service delivery across sites.
β’ Provide emotional and strategic support when executing the Trasnformation initiatives.
β’ Ensure GDPR-compliant handling of employee and health-related data.
β’ Identify and mitigate people-related risks connected to chemical operations, safety obligations, and absenteeism.
β’ Partner with Operations and EHS on safety culture, training obligations, incident follow-up, and compliance requirements.
β’ Coach Line Managers in cost-saving activities and coordinate operational tasks to ensure smooth execution of planned cost-saving projects.
β’ Strengthen leadership capability in managing regulated, safety-sensitive teams.
β’ Drive engagement, performance, and retention activities.
β’ Embed a strong safety, compliance, and accountability culture.
β’ Act as a change leader in a matrixed, international chemical organisation.
Requirements
β’ Masterβs degree in HR, Labour Law, Business Administration, or similar.
β’ Deep, practical expertise in Dutch labour law and employee relations.
β’ Experience supporting reorganisations, site changes, or operational transformations.
β’ Preferably 10+ years of senior HR experience, including leadership roles.
β’ Fluent in Dutch and English.
Nice-to-haves
β’ Proven track record working with Works Councils (OR).
β’ Strong understanding of safety-critical and regulated work environments.
β’ Exposure to international HR governance and matrix organisations.
Apply tot his job
Apply To this Job
The Interim / Temporary Sr HR Manager is a well-experienced HR leader responsible for Employee Relations and Transformation initiatives agenda in the Netherlands and will support and report to the Regional Sr HR Manager, with a strong focus on employee relations, Dutch labour law, and works council governance within a chemical and industrial environment.
The role requires a deep understanding of HR implications in redundancy processes, terminations, reskilling activities, and negotiations with key internal and external stakeholders, including safety-critical roles, shift-based work, regulated working conditions, strict compliance frameworks and best HR practices.
This role balances legal robustness, operational continuity, and a human-centred leadership approach.
Responsibilities
β’ Own all employee relations matters, including performance management, disciplinary cases, absenteeism, and exits in a safety-critical environment.
β’ Act as a strategic liaison with the Works Council (OR) and employee representatives.
β’ Ensure full compliance with Dutch labour law, internal policies, and applicable collective agreements.
β’ Lead reorganisations, restructurings, employee transfer processes and harmonisation activities.
β’ Handle sensitive cases involving safety, conduct, fitness for work, and compliance with care and diligence.
β’ Act as a trusted advisor to the Regional Sr HR Manager and leadership team on people and organisational topics regarding Transformation and Cost-Saving strategies.
β’ Translate global HR policies into a compliant Dutch HR strategy suited to chemical distribution and logistics industry practices, as well as global and local company policies.
β’ Execute workforce planning activities across operational, corporate, technical, and commercial functions.
β’ Support organisational change linked to site operations, process optimisation, and regulatory requirements.
β’ Oversee HR policies, employment contracts, and internal regulations aligned with chemical-industry standards.
β’ Ensure consistent, high-quality HR service delivery across sites.
β’ Provide emotional and strategic support when executing the Trasnformation initiatives.
β’ Ensure GDPR-compliant handling of employee and health-related data.
β’ Identify and mitigate people-related risks connected to chemical operations, safety obligations, and absenteeism.
β’ Partner with Operations and EHS on safety culture, training obligations, incident follow-up, and compliance requirements.
β’ Coach Line Managers in cost-saving activities and coordinate operational tasks to ensure smooth execution of planned cost-saving projects.
β’ Strengthen leadership capability in managing regulated, safety-sensitive teams.
β’ Drive engagement, performance, and retention activities.
β’ Embed a strong safety, compliance, and accountability culture.
β’ Act as a change leader in a matrixed, international chemical organisation.
Requirements
β’ Masterβs degree in HR, Labour Law, Business Administration, or similar.
β’ Deep, practical expertise in Dutch labour law and employee relations.
β’ Experience supporting reorganisations, site changes, or operational transformations.
β’ Preferably 10+ years of senior HR experience, including leadership roles.
β’ Fluent in Dutch and English.
Nice-to-haves
β’ Proven track record working with Works Councils (OR).
β’ Strong understanding of safety-critical and regulated work environments.
β’ Exposure to international HR governance and matrix organisations.
Apply tot his job
Apply To this Job