HR Officer

Location: 

Hamburg, DE, 20539

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!

Position Overview

We are seeking a skilled and motivated HR Officer to provide professional HR support to our teams and offices located in Germany. This role will be responsible for delivering high-quality operational HR services, ensuring compliance with German labor law, and supporting a wide range of HR processes throughout the employee lifecycle.

The HR Advisor acts as a key contact for employees and managers, offering guidance on HR-related topics including employee relations, organizational changes, compensation & benefits, and payroll coordination. The successful candidate will be fluent in German and English, possess a strong knowledge of local HR practices, and demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, international environment.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Serve as the first point of contact for employees and managers in Germany, providing guidance on HR policies, procedures, and labor law matters.
  • Support the full employee lifecycle including onboarding, contract changes, promotions, exits, and other employment-related changes.
  • Ensure all HR documentation and processes are aligned with German labor law and internal company standards.
  • Provide input and support on compensation & benefits matters, including salary adjustments, benefit eligibility, and annual compensation reviews.
  • Coordinate with payroll providers and internal finance teams to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing for Germany.
  • Advise managers on performance management, employee relations, and development initiatives in compliance with legal and organizational requirements.
  • Maintain and update HR systems and employee records with a high level of accuracy and confidentiality.
  • Participate in local and global HR projects, including process improvements, policy updates, employee engagement, and compliance initiatives.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as HR Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, Finance, Legal, and external service providers.
  • Stay informed of legislative changes and labor market trends in Germany to proactively recommend updates to HR practices.
  • Collaborate with the GBS team proactively.

 

Qualifications & Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in an HR Officer/HR Generalist/HRBP role, preferably in an international or matrix organization.
  • Fluent in German and English – both written and spoken.
  • Strong knowledge of German labor law, employment regulations, and HR compliance requirements.
  • Experience in compensation & benefits administration and a good understanding of payroll processes in Germany.
  • Proficiency in HRIS systems (e.g., Workday, SAP, SuccessFactors) and MS Office tools.
  • Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • High attention to detail and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
  • Solution-oriented mindset and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Experience in supporting employees remotely and across different locations is a plus.

 

What We Offer

  • Opportunity to work in a dynamic, international environment
  • Collaboration with professional and supportive HR colleagues across Europe
  • Flexible working arrangements and remote support setup
  • Competitive compensation and benefits package
  • Opportunity to be involved in regional and global HR projects

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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