Senior HR Manager, Supply Chain Europe

CHEP helps move more goods to more people, in more places than any other organization on earth via our 347 million pallets, crates and containers. We employ approximately 13,000 people and operate in 60 countries. Through our pioneering and sustainable share-and-reuse business model, the world’s biggest brands trust us to help them transport their goods more efficiently, safely and with less environmental impact. 
What does that mean for you? You’ll join an international organization big enough to take you anywhere, and small enough to get you there sooner. You’ll help change how goods get to market and contribute to global sustainability. You’ll be empowered to bring your authentic self to work and be surrounded by diverse and driven professionals. And you can maximize your work-life balance and flexibility through our Hybrid Work Model.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities May Include

• Partner with business leaders and HR Business Partners (HRBPs) to develop and implement people and organizational strategies that enhance business performance.
• Act as a key point of contact for all employees regarding HR queries, ensuring timely resolution and, where necessary, direct interaction with HR Operations teams.
• Build strong relationships with leadership teams, providing coaching and advice on people-related matters to influence decision-making and promote employee engagement.
• Oversee the entire employee lifecycle, from talent acquisition to retirement, ensuring adherence to HR policies and collaboration with the wider HR team for seamless processes.
• Lead the implementation of organizational design initiatives, including workforce planning, talent management, and succession planning, to support business objectives.
• Proactively manage and resolve employee relations issues by conducting thorough investigations and driving cases to resolution, maintaining compliance and mitigating risks.
• Coach and mentor a team of HR professionals, driving development and ensuring the team consistently meets organizational goals and HR best practices.
• Monitor the effectiveness of HR initiatives and programs, ensuring alignment with broader business strategies and recommending improvements where necessary.

We’re looking for an experienced and influential HR leader to support and shape the people strategy across our European Supply Chain organisation. This is a standout opportunity to lead HR delivery across UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Nordics, Spain & Portugal, supporting a diverse population of around 1,270 colleagues working across European Supply Chain.

You’ll partner closely with senior Supply Chain leaders, manage a team of four HR Generalists, and take a central role in delivering major HR transformation initiatives across our European plants.

If you thrive in a complex, unionised, fast‑paced operational settings — and love combining strategy with hands‑on leadership — this role is for you.

What You’ll Lead & Deliver

Strategic HR Leadership

• Act as HR Business Partner to senior Supply Chain leadership (VP + 3 Directors).
• Develop and implement people and organisational strategies aligned to business performance.
• Lead and coach a team of four HR Generalists supporting 23 plants & our onsite customer solutions sites across Europe.

Employee & Labour Relations

• Provide ER/LR expertise across multiple countries, including investigations, appeals & complex casework.
• Lead engagement with Unions & Works Councils, influencing labour agreements and pay negotiation strategies.
• Align ER approaches across markets by partnering with local Country HR Managers and European ER leadership.

Transformation & Change Leadership

• Lead transformational programmes
• Act as a Change Leader, supporting automation and cultural development programmes.

Talent, Capability & Workforce Planning

• Lead organisational design, succession planning, workforce planning and talent development.
• Build management capability through First Line Leading programmes and targeted coaching.

Data, Analytics & Performance

• Develop and track HR/ER KPIs, including turnover, absence and ER trends.
• Use data to identify root causes, drive action plans and support operational decision-making.
• Lead sickness management strategy with a target of 2% annual average.

What You’ll Bring

Essential Experience

• Significant experience as an HR Operational Leader in industrial, manufacturing or technical environments.
• Strong expertise in Union & Labour Relations — negotiations, Works Councils and complex ER casework.
• Demonstrated success delivering large‑scale HR transformation in operational environments.
• Experience in global, matrixed organisations and the ability to influence senior technical stakeholders.
• Proven programme management capability.
• Advanced HR analytics skills and experience designing KPI reporting.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Commercial, pragmatic and business‑focused.
• Resilient and able to build trusted relationships quickly.
• Influential negotiator with strong stakeholder management skills.
• Change‑ready: courageous, collaborative and culturally aware.
• Strong problem‑solving mindset — able to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.

Qualifications

• Essential: Professional HR qualification + Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
• Desirable: Coaching qualification; change management accreditation.
• Languages: English essential; additional European language desirable.

Why Join Us?

Join a global organisation recognised as a Top 17 Employer Worldwide, where you'll shape the future of a mission‑critical Supply Chain network and lead truly meaningful people and transformation initiatives across Europe.

Perks

As an inclusive employer, Brambles wants to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore encourage you to inform your Talent Acquisition Partner of any reasonable adjustments you might need to enable this to happen.    

Remote Type

Hybrid Remote

Skills to succeed in the role

Business Strategies, Coaching, Collaboration, Culture Strategy, Disruptive Thinking, Employee Experience, Feedback, Inclusive Leadership, Leadership Training and Development, Leading Change, Leading Customer Centric Teams, Mentorship, Motivating Teams, Organizational Change Management, Organizational Development (OD), Performance Management (PM), Prioritization, Relationship Building, Self-Awareness, Strategic Human Resources Leadership, Strategic Planning, Succession Planning, Work Performance

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to developing a diverse workforce in which everyone is treated fairly, with respect, and has the opportunity to contribute to business success while realizing his or her potential. This means harnessing the unique skills and experience that each individual brings and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Individuals fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as Brambles or CHEP representatives have scheduled interviews and offered fraudulent employment opportunities with the intent to commit identity theft or solicit money. Brambles and CHEP never conduct interviews via online chat or request money as a term of employment. If you have a question as to the legitimacy of an interview or job offer, please contact us at [email protected].