At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR transformation and enhance employee relations across EMEA.
- Company: Join a leading global company focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive pay, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous learning and diverse perspectives.
- Why this job: Shape impactful HR strategies and drive workforce transformation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 20+ years in HR leadership with expertise in employee and labor relations.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Lead HR transformation where business performance and workforce trust matter most. We are seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking HR leader to transform HR Business Services across EMEA while serving as the region's senior authority on Employee Relations and Labor Relations (ER/LR). This is a high-impact regional role for a pragmatic, commercially minded leader who can navigate works councils, unions, regulated labor environments, restructuring, and workforce transformation with confidence and credibility.
You will shape practical solutions that enable business performance while protecting engagement, productivity, flexibility, compliance, and workforce trust. Manufacturing fluency is essential, with significant experience in manufacturing operations and a strong understanding of plant, workforce, and productivity dynamics. You will bring a grounded understanding of how work gets done in plants and industrial settings, including shift-based operations, frontline leadership, safety and quality disciplines, workforce planning, and productivity dynamics. This role can be located in EMEA close to a PPG Site. We work on Hybrid mode, from Monday to Thursday in the office, offering the opportunity of a remote-Friday.
Your impact
- Lead high-quality, efficient, scalable HR Business Services across EMEA, covering the full hire-to-retire employee lifecycle.
- Establish clear service standards, KPIs, governance, and accountability while continuously improving and simplifying regional processes.
- Act as the senior EMEA authority and trusted advisor on Employee Relations and Labor Relations for regional and global leadership.
- Define and execute a forward-looking ER/LR strategy aligned with business priorities and regional operating realities.
- Navigate unionized and highly regulated markets, works councils, formal employee representation, restructuring, footprint optimization, and workforce transformation.
- Identify emerging labor risks early, develop scenarios, and ensure robust contingency approaches for high-tension situations.
- Partner with HR Business Partners, Centers of Expertise, Legal, and business leaders to anticipate workforce changes and prepare for their labor implications.
- Translate global direction into a fit-for-purpose EMEA operating model that enables speed, consistency, sound judgment, and compliance.
- Use workforce data and insights to improve decision-making, employee experience, service quality, and business outcomes.
- Build practical ER/LR capability across HR and the business, particularly for leaders responsible for negotiating or agreeing labor outcomes.
- Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing HR Services organization and strengthen the regional talent pipeline.
What You Bring
- Approximately 20 or more years of progressive experience across Employee Relations, Labor Relations, and senior HR leadership roles, ideally with an ER/LR foundation.
- Proven leadership of HR Business Services or equivalent operational HR activity across multiple EMEA countries.
- A strong track record managing complex labor environments, restructuring, transformation, and organizational change.
- Experience developing and implementing ER/LR strategies at regional or global level.
- Meaningful manufacturing experience supporting plants, factories, industrial operations, or other complex frontline workforces.
- Experience operating effectively in a matrixed, global organization with diverse employee populations.
- Deep ER/LR expertise combined with strong commercial judgment and business perspective.
- Ability to balance legal and regulatory frameworks with pragmatic, value-driven solutions that remain fully compliant.
- Strong judgment and decision-making in ambiguous, high-pressure, and tension-filled situations.
- Demonstrated ability to lead both strategy and execution.
- Credibility and confidence when advising senior leadership and engaging employee representatives.
How You Work
- You are pragmatic, outcome-oriented, and courageous.
- Comfortable operating constructively in difficult or highly sensitive environments.
- Focused on impact over process and clarity over complexity.
- Able to hold a firm point of view while building trust with diverse stakeholders.
- Skilled at moving between strategic leadership discussions and practical realities on the plant floor.
- Committed to respectful, transparent, and value-driven employee and labor relationships.
Education
A degree in Law, Human Resources, Business, or a related discipline is preferred. An advanced degree is an advantage. Equivalent experience and demonstrated expertise will also be considered.
Why this role
This is an opportunity to shape how a complex EMEA organization delivers HR services and manages labor relations at a pivotal time. You will influence regional strategy, support business-critical transformation, and help create operating environments where performance, flexibility, compliance, and workforce trust reinforce one another.
How we work:
At PPG, we bring teams together to accelerate collaboration and career development, with in-person work Monday through Thursday and the opportunity to work remotely on Flexible Fridays. Schedules may vary by location.
About Us
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company.
To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X.
The PPG Way 2030
- We are customer champions Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don't stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.
- We act with purpose and speed Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.
- We are excellent operators Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results.
- We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers. We compete to win Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths.
- We are PPG proud Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.
At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.
PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email recruiting@ppg.com.
PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply. Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.
PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.
Regional HR Business Services Leader EMEA in Huddersfield employer: PPG
PPG is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Maidstone depot where teamwork and safety are paramount. Employees benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, fostering personal and professional growth while contributing to a culture that prioritises performance and customer satisfaction. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, PPG provides a rewarding career path for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional HR Business Services Leader EMEA in Huddersfield
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at PPG!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at PPG.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional HR Business Services Leader EMEA in Huddersfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at PPG. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to PPG and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at PPG. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to PPG's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at PPG
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with PPG.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at PPG will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact PPG and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
