Head of People Function

APM Terminals; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

APM Terminals Göteborg seeks a senior leader to head the People Function and partner with the Managing Director to set people strategy. You will lead labour relations, employee experience, and HR operations in a fast-paced, unionized terminal environment, balancing business needs with workforce wellbeing and compliance.

You will collaborate across the leadership team, drive continuous improvement, and ensure alignment with Swedish labour law and collective agreements while developing talents and

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in unionized, labour-intensive environments.
• Deep understanding of labour relations and employee relations.
• Strong knowledge of Swedish labour law and collective agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People Function in Gothenburg and advise the Managing Director and leadership team.
• Drive strategic labour relations activities, including collaboration with trade unions and employee representatives.
• Lead and support collective bargaining negotiations and employee relations matters.
• Own and continuously improve People Function processes across the entire employee lifecycle.
• Support culture, engagement, and employee experience initiatives across the terminal.

Skills

Leadership experience

Labour relations

Employee relations

Swedish labour law

Stakeholder management

Trade union collaboration

Talent management

Succession planning

English fluent

Matrix organization

Job description

APM Terminals Head of People Function At APM Terminals, a global leader in port and terminal operations, we enable global trade and drive sustainable growth. What drives us forward is a commitment to continuous improvement. We observe how work is performed, identify what creates value, and remove what prevents us from operating at our best. We continuously seek smarter, simpler, and safer ways of working. If you thrive in an environment where people value learning and strive to improve daily operations, we invite you to become part of our journey.

Head of People Function, Gothenburg

As the Head of People Function in Gothenburg, you will play a key role in supporting the terminal's Managing Director and leadership team while driving people-related priorities across the business. This is not primarily a traditional HR Business Partner role. Instead, it is a senior leadership position requiring deep expertise in labour relations, employee relations, and employment law, combined with strong business acumen and the ability to operate effectively at all levels of the organization. You will lead the local People Function and ensure the continued development of labour excellence, constructive union collaboration, and a strong employee experience. The role requires a pragmatic and hands-on leader who understands the reality of terminal operations and can balance business, employee, and union perspectives in a complex stakeholder environment.

What We Offer

At APM Terminals, we foster a dynamic culture of learning and development that enables our employees to succeed. Our focus on continuous improvement means every employee has the opportunity to develop their skills and career by continuously improving how we work. You will become part of a diverse, international workplace where your operational insights directly influence how we develop our business. Work within a global organization while supporting a local operation with significant business impact. Collaborate closely with the terminal leadership team on strategic people and labour-related matters. Contribute to continuous improvement and labour excellence initiatives that strengthen operational performance. Be part of a collaborative environment focused on learning, development, and long-term capability building.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the People Function in Gothenburg and serve as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and leadership team.
• Drive strategic labour relations activities, including collaboration with trade unions, employee representatives, and other key stakeholders.
• Lead and support collective bargaining negotiations, employee relations matters, and labour-related discussions.
• Own and continuously improve People Function processes across the entire employee lifecycle.
• Support culture, engagement, and employee experience initiatives across the terminal.
• Ensure compliance with Swedish labour law, collective agreements, and internal policies.
• Represent the People Function in local, regional, and global forums and contribute to broader people-related priorities and projects.

Who We Are Looking For

• A continuous improvement mindset.
• We are looking for someone who is curious about how work is performed and motivated by creating meaningful and sustainable improvements over time.
• A leadership approach that puts the customer first, leads with respect for people, delivers results with integrity, and drives continuous improvement by solving problems at the root cause, developing people, and raising standards every day.
• Extensive leadership experience from unionized, labour-intensive, and blue-collar environments.
• Deep understanding of Swedish labour law, employee relations, collective agreements, and trade union collaboration.
• Experience working in matrix organizations and larger global companies.
• A proven ability to partner with senior leaders and influence decisions in complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong experience in talent management, succession planning, and people development.
• The ability to move comfortably between operational discussions on the shop floor and strategic leadership conversations.
• A mature leadership style with the confidence to challenge constructively while empowering others to take ownership.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to balance the interests of employees, unions, leadership teams, and the wider business.
• You communicate fluently in both Swedish and English.

Application, Recruitment Process and Security Screening

Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the recruitment process may close before the final application deadline.

APM Terminals is part of Sweden's critical infrastructure and plays an important role in the country's preparedness and resilience framework. As a result, background screening as well as alcohol and drug testing will be conducted before any employment offer is made. For positions classified as security-sensitive, a security clearance process will also be required in accordance with the Swedish Protective Security Act. Employees with permanent employment may additionally be assigned a wartime placement as part of the company's responsibilities within Sweden's total defence system and national preparedness efforts.

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements. We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing [e-mail].

At APM Terminals, we are a team of over 20,000 employees spread across more than 60 countries united by a passion to provide our expertise in port operations and container management services. By providing the expertise and port infrastructure essential to world trade, we actively support the advancement of the societies around us, enabling local economies to unlock their potential and build an even stronger global community.

Working with a team of talented professionals you will get a chance to experience different cultures and make friends all over the world.

You’ll find a culturally diverse, stimulating environment at any of our offices, terminals or depots.

When you join APM Terminals, the world is your workplace.

APM Terminals is an independent business unit within the Danish Maersk Group - a Global Fortune 500 company with about 89,000 employees and offices in 130 countries with global growth opportunities in a range of fields from shipping and energy to our offshore and manufacturing industries - Join us to achieve even your most ambitious career goals!