Senior Manager Human Resources - Germany

Purpose of the Job

The Senior HR Manager Germany is responsible for providing strategic and operational HR leadership across all German entities/sites. This role ensures full compliance with German labor law, co‑determination regulations and internal governance standards, leads effective engagement with employee representative bodies (Works Councils and unions), and delivers high-quality HR services aligned with the company’s overall business strategy. The role acts as a trusted advisor to local, regional and global senior leadership and plays a key role in organizational effectiveness, employee relations, and workforce planning and transformation within Germany.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR Leadership

• Act as strategic partner to Leadership and Strategic HR Business Partners translating business objectives into people policies and processes
• Contribute to workforce planning, organizational design, succession planning and talent management initiatives
• Support change management initiatives, including restructurings, transformations and efficiency programs

Employee Relations & Co‑Determination

• Lead interactions with the German Works Council and other employee representative bodies in line with co‑determination requirements (GBR, Sprecherausschuss, BR, JAV, etc.)
• Manage collective bargaining processes, works agreements and consultation procedures
• Proactively manage employee relations, ensuring constructive labor relations and risk mitigation at all Sasol sites in Germany
• Draft and negotiate works agreements with co‑determination bodies (focus on the Hamburg site)

Labor Law & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with German labor law, collective agreements and internal policies and guidelines
• Advise leadership and managers on labor law, employment contracts, disciplinary actions and terminations (including social selection, severance frameworks and redeployment options, where applicable)
• Partner with Legal and external advisors where required on complex or sensitive matters
• Monitor regulatory changes in German employment law and co‑determination and assessing impact on HR policies and practices

HR Operations & Service Delivery

• Oversee core HR processes including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, compensation, benefits, payroll and employee lifecycle management
• Ensure consistent, high-quality HR service across all German entities
• Drive continuous improvement and simplification of HR processes, procedures and policies through standardized approaches across Germany
• Provide HR consulting to Hamburg‑based managers and employees on HR topics (e.g., compensation, performance management, labor law issues, local implementation of reorganizations), ensuring alignment with group policies and German regulations
• Oversee apprenticeship programs in Hamburg, Brunsbüttel and Marl, ensuring compliance with vocational training regulations and alignment with talent pipeline needs
• Ensure data accuracy, timeliness and compliance in HR administration, including proper use of HRIS and adherence to data protection requirements

Talent, Performance & Culture

• Support leaders and SHRBP’s in performance management, leadership development and capability building
• Champion a positive, compliant and inclusive workplace culture aligned with company values
• Support employee engagement initiatives and wellbeing priorities
• Contribute to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives, promoting equal opportunities, non‑discrimination and a respectful workplace

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and coach the Germany HR team, fostering capability, accountability and collaboration
• Lead five direct reports (HR Manager Marl, HR Manager Brunsbüttel, HR Business Partner Hamburg, Manager Payroll Germany and Labor Relations Manager Germany)
• Act as the primary HR interface for Germany towards regional and global HR functions
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, external advisors and authorities as required
• Role‑model company values and ethical standards, fostering a high‑performance, feedback‑oriented culture within the HR team and the broader organization

Education & Experience

• Degree in Human Resources, Law, Business Administration, or related fields (Master’s degree preferred)
• Extensive senior level HR experience in Germany, ideally within a complex or multinational organization
• Proven experience working with German Works Councils and managing collective labor relations
• Experience in leading HR teams and managing HR budgets is a strong plus

Technical & Professional Expertise

• Deep knowledge of German labor law, co‑determination, and collective bargaining frameworks
• Strong experience in employee relations, restructurings, and change management
• Solid understanding of HR operations, Payroll, compensation and benefits, and talent management processes
• Good understanding of HRIS tools and data analytics to support decision‑making

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills
• High level of judgment, integrity, and discretion
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrix and international environment
• Excellent communication skills in German and English (written and verbal)
• Strong problem‑solving and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to balance business needs and compliance requirements
• Resilience and ability to manage ambiguity, tight timelines and multiple priorities

Our Benefits

• A collegial team and a wide range of tasks with a high degree of creative freedom await you, for which you will quickly assume responsibility
• We ensure the best possible work-life balance through flexible working hours, the option of mobile working and full-time employment 
• We offer you attractive remuneration, supplemented by numerous modern social benefits including company pension schemes
• We support you in your development with individual further training opportunities at specialist, project or management level and enable a wide variety of career paths
• As part of our health management, you can access a work-life service, personal advice/coaching and webinars at any time

Your Contact Person

If you have any questions about the advertised position or Sasol in Germany, Emily Timm will be happy to help you.

Emily Timm
Phone: +49 40 636841070
E-Mail: Please apply via our application portal.

Sasol Germany GmbH
Anckelmannsplatz 1
20537 Hamburg

https://chemicals.sasol.com/whoweare/regionalsitesandlocations/germanylocalizedpage