Senior HR Manager (f_m_d) Central Europe in Köln

About Barilla

At Barilla, we believe that every great journey begins with passion and a bold vision.

From our humble beginnings in 1877 in a small shop in Parma, Italy, we’ve blossomed into a global leader in the food industry, guided by our commitment to progress and excellence.

Today, Barilla is an international group present in more than 100 countries and we are proud to be recognized as the world’s top food company by reputation.

With 20 beloved brands in our portfolio, we are world leader for pasta, the number one choice for ready-made sauces in Europe, leader for bakery products in Italy, and for crispbread across Scandinavia with Wasa.

Our success story is written by a passionate team of 9,000 dedicated employees across 30 plants and offices worldwide, all united by a shared mission to nourish the future with purpose and passion.

Are you ready to add your unique flavor to our journey?

As part of the Region Central & Northern Europe HR Team, the Senior HR Manager acts as strategic HR Business Partner and key sparring partner to the HR Director, providing leadership continuity for Central Europe in selected forums, people processes
and strategic HR initiatives when required.

The role combines HRBP ownership for the CE population with regional process leadership in labor cost governance, total rewards coordination, talent and succession preparation, workforce planning and organizational effectiveness.

In this role, you will lead the HR & Office Management Intern and report to the HR Director – Region C&NE.

Are you passionate about people and eager to bring fresh ideas to the table?

Do you have an aptitude for developing concepts and a desire to expand your HR expertise?

If you are ready to make a tangible impact and enjoy the world of pasta and crispbread, join our team as Senior HR Manager Central Europe, based in Cologne, Germany.

• Main Responsibilities
• Strategic HR Business Partnership
• Act as HR Business Partner for your scope of responsibility across Central Europe
• Partner with business leaders to translate business priorities into effective people strategies and initiatives
• Provide coaching, guidance and challenge to managers on organizational, talent and people-related topics
• Manage complex employee lifecycle matters, including transfers, promotions, organizational changes, employee relations cases and exits
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Legal, Payroll and other relevant stakeholders to ensure aligned and compliant HR solutions
• Talent, Succession & Organizational Development
• Support talent review and succession planning processes across the Central Europe organization
• Maintain visibility of critical talent pipelines and succession plans for key leadership roles
• Drive organizational effectiveness initiatives and support organizational design projects
• Partner with leaders to identify development opportunities and accelerate talent growth

Compensation, Workforce Planning & HR Analytics

• Support labor cost governance by monitoring workforce trends, headcount developments and organizational changes
• Prepare workforce planning analyses, forecasts and recommendations to support business decision-making
• Coordinate compensation and benefits activities in line with Group HR guidelines and local market requirements
• Promote data-driven decision-making by leveraging HR analytics and people insights
• Leadership Support & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Act as a trusted sparring partner to the HR Director C&NE and contribute to strategic HR initiatives across the region
• Represent the HR function in selected regional forums, governance meetings and people reviews when required
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional HR projects and change initiatives
• Provide guidance and day-to-day support to the HR Intern, fostering development, collaboration and knowledge sharing within the HR team
• Recruitment & Employer Branding
• Support the recruiting strategy across the assigned scope
• Collaborate with Recruitment Partners and External Relations to strengthen employer branding initiatives
• Contribute to attracting, engaging and retaining top talent across Central Europe
• Your Qualifications
• Master's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology or a related field
• Several years of progressive experience in Human Resources, ideally as an HR Business Partner within an international matrix organization
• Strong knowledge of German labor law and practical experience collaborating with Works Councils
• Experience supporting senior leadership populations and managing complex employee relations topics
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret labor cost, compensation, workforce planning and people data
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and build strong relationships across all organizational levels
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Fluent in both English and German
• Highly organized, proactive and solution-oriented with a strong business mindset
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and international environment

What We Offer

An international, purpose-driven and inclusive workplace where people collaborate across borders, feel valued and empowered, and thrive through a strong culture of flexibility, quality and sustainability.

• Continuous learning and development through training programs and mentoring opportunities
• Transparent career paths and internal mobility opportunities to support long-term growth
• Starter, our tailored onboarding journey, combining digital learning with onlife experiences
• Smart Working policy with up to 40% remote work
• Structured parental leave policy
• A strong focus on employee wellbeing, including complimentary pasta, crispbread, fresh fruit, vegetables and coffee
• Modern office spaces in an attractive location with excellent access to public transportation
• Access to a company canteen and kitchen area for a comfortable daily break
• Other Benefits
• Attractive employee discounts through our Corporate Benefits platform
• Bike leasing and access to Urban Sports Club memberships to support sustainable mobility and an active lifestyle
• Opportunities to contribute to national and international Diversity & Inclusion initiatives

At Barilla, we are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity in all its forms is valued and embraced.

Our employment policies and practices are designed to ensure equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of age, race, color, citizenship, faith, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or characteristics of expression, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, medical condition, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Our commitment to equal employment stems from our unwavering belief that it is not only the right thing to do, but it is also a fundamental driver of innovation and business success.

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