People Services Lead (m/f/d)

As the People Services Lead for our Cologne site, your mission is to lead all People & Culture related operational processes, projects, and activities for Leybold GmbH. You will ensure compliance with German employment laws and provide People Services to all employees across the three Divisions (Industrial Vacuum, Vacuum Technique Service, Scientific Vacuum), the Product Company Cologne, and the Customer Center EMEA.

You will report to the VP People & Culture of the Scientific Vacuum Division.

Responsibilities

• Lead the People Services Team in Cologne, with cost center responsibility
• Implement and align on People & Culture strategies, initiatives, projects, and processes
• Be responsible for all core People Services tasks, including Recruitment & Onboarding, Employee Relations, Compensation & Benefits, Payroll, HRIS, Regulatory Compliance
• Be the main contact for the workers council and responsible for all company agreements in your area of responsibility
• Implement People & Culture programs, projects, and processes in line with Atlas Copco Group compliance guidelines and “The Way We Do Things”
• Lead People & Culture projects related to Leybold GmbH, including operational support in restructuring initiatives
• Be responsible for audits (AC audits, customer audits, annual DIN ISO audit)
• Manage stakeholders and external partners (Employment Office, Employer Association, Atlas Copco Holding Germany)
• Promotion of change management and culture initiatives

Qualifications

• Degree in HR, Business Administration, Psychology, Management, or equivalent experience
• Extensive HR experience (10+ years), ideally in a global manufacturing environment
• Proven leadership and team management skills
• Experience implementing HR processes, projects, and driving transformation
• Strong knowledge of German employment law and HRIS/payroll systems
• Skilled in conflict resolution, negotiation, and influencing
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and adapt in a dynamic environment
• Excellent communication, emotional intelligence, and fluency in business English and German

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement. We value diverse experiences and perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the role.

Benefits

• A purpose‑driven culture with core values that guide us: innovation, customer focus, and commitment to all stakeholders
• A learning culture supporting your journey: individual learning opportunities, feedback culture, internal job portal, coaching, mentoring, and academy trainings
• Comprehensive onboarding program, including guidance by a personal buddy
• Well‑being programs: running groups, family parties, team events, urban sports, and more
• Health insurance, paid leave, and retirement benefits
• Flexibility to help shape your role and bring in your ideas

Job location

This role offers a hybrid working arrangement, allowing you to split your time between working remotely (2 days/week) and being on‑site at our Leybold GmbH site in Cologne, Germany.

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