HR Manager Spain, Italy, France and Belgium

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection.

With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved sales of CHF 2 billion in 2024. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,200 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers’ success.

We’re looking for a proactive and people-focused HR Manager to lead the HR agenda across Spain, Belgium, France, and Italy. Based in Barcelona, you will act as a trusted partner to business leaders, ensuring compliance with local laws while driving talent, engagement, and performance. You will lead a small local team (HR Advisor and Payroll Specialist) and collaborate with our HR Shared Services, Talent Acquisition, Compensation & Benefits and HRIS teams.

Essential Job Functions:

• Partner with leaders to deliver people strategies that support business goals

• Advise on employee relations, organizational changes, and performance management

• Support recruitment, talent development, and succession planning initiatives

• Oversee payroll and benefits across the cluster

• Ensure HR compliance and policies are aligned with both local law and group standards

• Manage and develop your HR team, fostering a collaborative and service-oriented culture

• Shape HR practices while leveraging shared services support

• Be the key HR leader covering four European countries

Qualifications & Experience:

• Min. 5+ years of HR experience, with at least 2 in a managerial role

• Experience across multiple European countries; strong knowledge of local labor law

• Fluent in English and Spanish; French and/or Italian a plus

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

• Hands-on and strategic: comfortable switching between big-picture and detail

• Experience working with HR Shared Services or in a matrix organization

Arxada has world class offering in two distinct areas:  

Microbial Control Solutions (MCS) focuses on threats posed by microorganisms to people and planet through five distinct business lines including Professional Hygiene, Home & Personal Care, Wood Protection, Paints & Coatings and Material Protection. 

Nutrition, Care & Environmental (NCE), meanwhile, provides materials used to manufacture composites for electronics, aerospace and other markets, as well as vitamins and nutritional ingredients, chemicals and performance intermediates, and raw materials for a wide range of high-performance applications. 

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.