HR Manager

BioFirst Group is an international player in biological pest and disease control and bumblebee pollination. The group offers a full range of Integrated Pest Monitoring (IPM) solutions, including beneficial insects, predatory mites, bumblebees, biopesticides,... as well as high-tech monitoring and scouting. BioFirst has 32 production and/or distribution subsidiaries and employs 2800 people worldwide. In addition, BioFirst has an extensive network of specialist distributors in another 50 countries and exports to more than 70 countries on a weekly basis. BioFirst serves the horticultural market and the agricultural field market with four major brands: Biobest, BioWorks, Plant Products and Biotrop. The organisation grew both organically and through acquisitions and is supported by two Belgian holdings and several private equity funds.

For our plant in Westerlo, we are looking for an experienced HR Manager. 

The job

As HR Manager, you are responsible for all areas within HR regarding the attraction, development and retention of talent, for the production and distribution plant in Westerlo (140 white-collar workers, 140 blue-collar workers). Human capital is Biobest's top priority. Together with your team, you will ensure a happy and productive workplace where everyone contributes to the realization of the Biobest mission and goals. Promoting the company's values and shaping a positive culture is therefore an essential aspect of this position. Together with your team, you take care of all personnel-related matters and always reason from the Belgian local employment laws and compliance requirements. In your role, you will interact with all support functions and activities (including production, R&D, Supply Chain and Business Development) daily. You will report to the Plant Manager Belgium and in dotted line to the HR Lead Biobest Division. 

What does your role look like?

• You will translate the general business strategy into local HR processes, goals and strategies in line with the global HR vision and Belgian labour/social legislation.
• You manage a team of 4 people (Comp & Ben Specialist, 2 HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition specialist) who you coach and grow in their role.
• From your critical point of view, you will develop, review, recommend and maintain the human resources policy, procedures, systems and reporting in line with the company's long-term and short-term strategy, considering the day-to-day business needs.
• From an overarching perspective, you'll oversee monthly payroll processing and time tracking, as well as payroll plans and benefits. From there, you'll manage and keep the company's salary budget up to date.
• You act as a bridge between management and employees by addressing expectations, concerns, or other issues. You act as a sparring partner to support (line) management in avoiding and resolving problems within employee relations.
• You create a clear vision of future HR needs and are the driving force in the change process towards a future-proof HR policy. 
• You will oversee the recruitment and selection, interviewing and testing of future employees. In this way, together with the Talent Acquisition Specialist, you guarantee the further growth of the organization. 
• You will coordinate management training in the areas of job interviews, onboarding, termination of collaborations, promotions, performance reviews, safety, and other HR-related topics.
• You will be responsible for Talent Management in which you will focus on the development, training, involvement, motivation and preservation of BioFirst human capital. You map out training needs and match them with the necessary trajectories. Special attention is paid to leadership development and the preparation of training and development plans.
• You coordinate and manage performance management programs to ensure and optimize effectiveness, (high) performance, compliance and equity within the organization. 
• You take measurements and report them to management. From this advisory position, you support them in their decision-making. 
• You manage contracts with external suppliers, such as temporary workers, staffing agencies, insurance or other HR services. You do this in close cooperation with the local management.
• You participate or take the lead in important HR projects for Belgium related to e.g. competency management, time registration, social elections, HRIS (SAP SuccessFactors).... happy to take you on.
• You represent HR in the Works Council. 

Your profile

In addition to an enthusiastic and experienced HR Manager with 5 to 10 years of similar experience, who likes to work for a company in full growth, we will also find the following elements in your profile:

• Positive thinker who takes initiative, comes up with new ideas and is full of energy.
• Proven leadership and people management skills that inspire others and can facilitate change.
• A broad experience in an HR generalist role, with knowledge of all important HR processes in the field of attracting, developing and retaining talent and experience in a blue-collar environment.
• University degree or equivalent by experience.
• In-depth knowledge of Belgian labour and social legislation, HR best practices and Comp & Ben.
• You are Dutch-speaking and express yourself fluently in English. 
• Knowledge of HR systems and tools. You are strong in designing HR processes and procedures
• A hands-on mentality, willing to carry out operational tasks, but able to think strategically.
• The ability to lead, advise and respond effectively to the most sensitive questions or complaints.
• Stress/change resistant and able to decide quickly and act quickly, result orientation and drive.
• Excellent skills in active listening, negotiation and presentation.
• Strong relational skills to build and maintain interpersonal relationships at all levels of the company.
• Interest in efficient administrative processes in order to work in a structured and systematic way, and with a view to meeting deadlines. 
• A team player who likes to be part of an ambitious HR team, where there is a pleasant and collegial atmosphere and also room for fun.
• Preferably, you live at a feasible distance from Westerlo.
  The offer
• You will be part of a fast-growing company, driven by a passion for sustainability.  As a member of the most reliable partner in pollination and biological crop protection, you will contribute to the global and sustainable production of high-quality crops.
• The opportunity to help shape and expand the future of HR. You will be part of an international HR team where you can bring your own ideas and experience how they take HR to the next level. 
• The opportunity to grow professionally with the growth of the BioFirst. 

Interest? 

Go to jobs.hudsonsolutions.com and apply online. 
Questions? Contact Sylvie De Vocht on +32 477 84 15 53
Your response will be handled promptly and confidentially.