HR Lead - NL

vwr; Hillegom; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

Avantor is seeking an experienced Country HR Lead to act as the go-to HR partner for managers and employees across the Dutch organization. This individual contributor role encompasses employee relations, governance, and the HR transformation journey, with a focus on moving transactional work to self-service and shared services.

The role will lead complex employee relations matters, ensure legal compliance, and drive Works Council engagement, enabling strategic business partnership across the

Qualifications

• Extensive HR generalist experience in a complex, international matrix.
• Proven Works Council (OR) engagement experience.
• Strong knowledge of Dutch employment law and GDPR.
• Experience with HR transformation and self-service/shared services.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary HR partner for managers and employees on complex matters.
• Lead employee relations cases from consultation to resolution.
• Oversee Works Council communications and OR processes.
• Drive HR transformation and adoption of ServiceNow in the business.
• Ensure HR governance, compliance, and risk management.

Skills

HR generalist

Employee relations

Works Council experience

ServiceNow

HR data & analytics

Tools

ServiceNow

Job description

The Opportunity:

HR Leader Netherlands

Location: Netherlands (hybrid) | Full-time

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.

What you'll do

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.

U se HR data and insights to identify risks, improve decisions, and enhance employee experience.

What you'll bring

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.

What w e o ffer

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.

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 & Nethe