Senior Manager Human Resources - Germany

Posting Date: May 5, 2026

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Company: Sasol

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

• 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
  • 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)
    • 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
• 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
• 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

Sasol believes in diversity and equal opportunities. We expressly welcome all applications – regardless of your gender, ethnicity, religion, ideology, disabilities, age or sexual identity.