HR Business Partner

HR Business Partner - Zellik and Mechelen

Role Summary

The HR Business Partner provides end-to-end HR support across multiple operational sites in Belgium within a dynamic, fast-paced, and matrixed organization. Reporting to the HR BU Manager, this role operates with a high degree of autonomy and requires strong prioritization across locations.

Approximately 65% of the role is focused on operational HR delivery across sites , ensuring stable, consistent, and compliant people processes, while 35% is dedicated to tactical and strategic HR initiatives aligned with medium- to long-term business objectives.

You act as a key HR partner for site leadership across multiple locations , combining hands-on delivery with the ability to translate business needs into scalable HR solutions. Success in this role requires resilience, strong judgment, and the ability to balance multiple site priorities , while maintaining alignment with HR strategy.

A strong emphasis is placed on:

• Building trusted relationships across sites
• Driving process improvement through deep-dive analysis
• Operating as a true team player, closely supporting and enabling the HR Officer

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the HR contact and trusted advisor across multiple sites, ensuring consistent HR support and alignment.
• Build strong, visible relationships with site leadership teams, fostering trust and proactive collaboration.
• Operate across sites to ensure continuity, consistency, and quality of HR service delivery, even in complex and resource-constrained environments.
• Manage daily operational HR topics including employee relations, absence, performance, disciplinaries, grievances, and policy application.
• Coach and advise managers across sites on people management, leadership behaviors, and employment matters.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws, works council agreements, and internal policies, escalating risks as needed.

Process Improvement & Deep Dive Focus

• Take ownership in identifying opportunities for process improvement and standardization across sites.
• Perform deep-dive analyses on HR trends (e.g., absenteeism, turnover, engagement, performance issues) to identify root causes.
• Translate insights into practical, sustainable improvement actions, driving measurable impact.
• Challenge current ways of working and simplify complex processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Multi-Site Operations

• Balance priorities across multiple locations, ensuring equitable support and clear communication.
• Drive consistency in HR practices and employee experience across sites, while allowing for local nuances where needed.
• Act as a connector between sites to share best practices and lessons learned.

Team Collaboration & HR Officer Support

• Act as a true team player within the HR team, working closely with the HR Officer.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and back-up support to the HR Officer, ensuring smooth operational execution.
• Collaborate on workload distribution and jointly drive HR initiatives and operational excellence.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative team environment, supporting collective outcomes over individual focus.

Strategic & Tactical Contribution

• Support workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, and the full employee lifecycle across sites.
• Contribute to engagement, talent development, succession planning, and organizational changes.
• Support and drive change management initiatives across multiple locations.
• Partner with HR COEs (e.g., payroll, C&B, L&D, recruitment) to ensure effective and consistent program implementation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or master's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive HR experience, including strong business partnering exposure.
• Proven experience supporting multiple sites or operating in a geographically dispersed environment.
• Strong knowledge of employment law, employee relations, and HR best practices.
• Experience in matrixed and operational environments is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English, French, and Dutch.

Key Competencies

• Strong ability to operate effectively across multiple sites and stakeholders
• Excellent relationship-building skills with a high level of visibility and credibility
• Strong analytical mindset with willingness to deep dive into issues and drive root cause solutions
• Proven ability to identify, drive, and sustain process improvements
• True team player mindset, with a collaborative approach and focus on su