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HR Business Partner

Location: 

Douala, CM, BP 570

At Barry Callebaut, we are on a journey to transform the cocoa and chocolate industry. As the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, our actions truly shape the future of our industry. We are a business-to-business company, serving the entire food sector, from the cocoa bean to the finest chocolate product. We are a company with a purpose, we believe in doing well by doing good and reinvesting in the communities we operate. We have a long-standing commitment to sustainability and our goal is to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future. We are headquartered in Zurich, and have more than 12,000 passionate Employees working in more than 40 countries worldwide. We are very proud of who we are and what we do. And of course, we are always looking for talented people to help us have a positive impact on our industry and beyond!

About the Role: 

 

Line Manager : Country HR Manager 

Location : Douala 

No of positions : 01 

Type of contract : Full Time 

 

The HRBP acts as a strategic partner to the Operations, Quality Assurance, and Supply Chain leadership teams. The role ensures that HR initiatives support business objectives, drives workforce engagement, and promotes a culture of continuous improvement and compliance. In addition, the HRBP will lead engagement and capability-building activities across all departments, fostering collaboration, employee development, and organizational effectiveness. 

 

 

 

Key responsibilities include: 

 

  1. Strategic HR Partnership  

 

- Collaborate with functional leaders to identify workforce needs and develop HR strategies aligned with business goals.  

- Support organizational design and workforce planning initiatives.  

 

  1. Employee Relations & Compliance   

- Serve as the primary HR contact for operational teams, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies.  

- Manage disciplinary processes and grievance handling in compliance with local labor laws.  

 

3. Talent Management & Development  

 

  - Drive performance management processes, including goal settings, appraisals, and development plans.  

  - Identify training needs and coordinate learning programs for operational staff.  

 

4. Recruitment & Workforce Management  

- Support recruitment for key operational roles and oversee agency workforce management.  

- Ensure onboarding and integration of new hires.  

 

5. HR Operations & Reporting  

- Maintain accurate HR data and provide regular reports on headcounts, turnover, and other KPIs.  

- Monitor HR metrics and recommend actions for improvement.  

 

6. Health, Safety & Well-being  

- Partner with HSE teams to promote a safe and healthy work environment.  

- Implement wellness initiatives for employees and agency workers.  

 

7. Employee Engagement & Capability Building  

  - Design and implement engagement programs to strengthen employee commitment and satisfaction across all departments.  

- Coordinate capability-building initiatives, including leadership development, technical training, and soft skills programs.  

- Partner with department heads to identify skill gaps and create targeted development plans.  

- Monitor engagement metrics and recommend actions to improve organizational culture and performance.  

 

About You:  

Required academic & technical qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, or related field.  

  • A master's degree or professional certification (e.g., CIPD, SHRM) is an advantage.  

  • Strong knowledge of Cameroon labor laws, HR policies, and compliance requirements.  

  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.  

  •  Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. 

 

Essential experience & knowledge  

  • Minimum 5–7 years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a business partner or similar role within a manufacturing or FMCG environment. 

  • Proven experience in employee relations, performance management, talent development, and change management. 

  • Exposure to unionized environments and handling large numbers of agency workers is highly desirable. 

  

Technical/Functional Competencies 

  • Proficiency in HRIS systems and Microsoft Office Suite. 

  • English business proficiency (written and spoken) 

 

Interpersonal / Leadership Competencies 

  • Proactive & Business-Oriented  

  • Change Management: roll out transformation initiatives   

  • Talent Management: facilitate talent reviews in order to ensure succession planning for critical roles   

  •  Emotional Intelligence: Navigate sensitive employee issues and maintain morale during operational stress.   

  • Data Literacy: Use HR analytics for absenteeism, productivity, and workforce planning.   

  • Digital Fluency: Leverage HRIS and digital tools for efficiency and compliance reporting  

  • Labor Relations Expertise: able to handle interactions with union representatives and maintain constructive dialogue.  

  • Promote safe working conditions and ethical labor practices aligned with cocoa industry standards 

 

Personal style / attitude / motivation 

  • Adaptability 

  • Positive attitude  

  • Professional attitude 

 

 

 

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity & Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC - Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.

If you want to learn more about Barry Callebaut, please find further information here.

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Job Segment: Employee Relations, Labor Relations, HR, HRIS, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Operations

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