HR Lead - NL

Avantor Sciences; Hillegom, Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Employee benefits

Job summary

Avantor Sciences in the Netherlands seeks a Country HR Lead to partner with managers and employees on complex people matters. You will own ER cases, ensure HR compliance, and drive the next phase of HR transformation within a global, matrix organization.

This individual contributor role requires native Dutch and fluent English, HR generalist experience, and collaboration with the HR Cluster Lead Belgium & Netherlands.

Qualifications

• Solid HR generalist experience in a complex, international matrix organization.
• Hands-on experience with an HR Shared Services model and ServiceNow.
• 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 independence.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Native-level Dutch and fluent English, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary HR partner for managers and employees on complex people matters.
• Independently manage employee relations cases from consultation to resolution.
• Guide managers and employees through sickness absence cases and compliance requirements.
• Lead Works Council consultations, advice and approvals, and stakeholder communications.
• Drive HR transformation and service delivery improvements, including self-service adoption.
• Utilize HR data and analytics to identify risks and inform decisions.
• Collaborate with HR Shared Services and ServiceNow to streamline processes.

Skills

Employee relations

ServiceNow

HR analytics

Dutch employment law

Stakeholder management

HR generalist

Sickness absence

Works Council

Independent judgment

Communication skills

Tools

ServiceNow

Job description

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.

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.

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).

• 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.

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.