Lead HR Operations Netherlands

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Rituals seeks a Lead HR Operations Netherlands to lead a team of eight HR professionals at the Amsterdam head office, driving payroll, HR administration, and the Netherlands portion of the Benelux HR Operations agenda. You’ll blend local know-how with global projects, ensuring smooth operations, strong stakeholder engagement, and readiness for 2026 changes. Ideal candidates have four to five years of HR experience with at least two years in people leadership, are fluent in Dutch and English, and bring solid Dutch payroll knowledge plus familiarity with Workday, Quinyx, and CLAs. Show proactive, decisive, empathetic leadership and a flexible mindset. Apply on our website with why you’re a fit, expect a response within 10 days, and prepare for online assessment and interviews. Questions to [email protected].

Job Description

Please note: Full knowledge of the Dutch language is required for this position

Are you ready to be the driving force behind smooth HR operations and an inspiring team? As Lead HR Operations Netherlands, you’re not just managing processes, you’re shaping the employee experience for our Dutch Retail organisation and Central Head Office (CHO). You’ll be at the heart of our Benelux HR Operations team, working closely with passionate colleagues and directly contributing to our operational excellence agenda.

If you thrive on variety, love empowering others, and want to make a real impact, this is your stage!

What you’ll do (and love doing)

You’ll be leading a talented team of 8 HR professionals, all based at our beautiful head office in Amsterdam. Together, you form one of the core pillars of the Benelux HR Operations team. We believe that a sense of humour and fun at work are just as important as rolling up our sleeves and getting things done, especially with the many changes and improvements coming our way in 2026!

As our new Manager, you’ll be the steady hand guiding your team through evolving ways of working, helping everyone adapt, grow, and thrive. Smooth and accurate operations in the Netherlands mean we can scale, innovate, and deliver the high standards our region is known for. You’re not just a manager, you’re the crucial link between daily service delivery and our broader HR Operations ambition.

• Lead with confidence: Be the first point of contact for your team, guiding them through daily operations and stepping in when needed.
• Drive performance: Coach, motivate, and develop your team so they can shine.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee the monthly payroll process, day-to-day HR administration, and all the key moments in our annual HR calendar, making sure everything runs like clockwork.
• Shape the future: Share ideas for process improvements and efficiency and spot opportunities, because “business as usual” can always be better! 
• Think global, act local: Represent the Netherlands in global projects and bring valuable insights to the table.
• Collaborate & Connect: Build strong relationships and keep communication flowing with HR specialists, the Head of HR BNL, Global HR Services, HR Advisors, and Retail stakeholders. You’ll ensure everyone is informed, engaged, and working together, making sure local execution meets the needs of all key stakeholders.

Qualifications

What makes you the perfect fit

• Solid HR experience (4–5 years) and at least 2 years leading a team; retail experience is a plus!
• Fluent in Dutch and English
• Familiarity with tools like Workday, Quinyx, and Microsoft Office
• Strong Dutch payroll knowledge
• Up-to-date understanding of local HR rules and legislation
• Experience working with CLA’s (Collective Labour Agreements)

Your Strenghts:

• Proactive & Results-Oriented: You don’t just see problems, you solve them.
• Decisive: You know when to act and lead with confidence.
• Self-Aware & Empathetic: You are conscious of your own behavior, strengths, and development areas. You embrace self-reflection and can coach others while knowing your own needs. 
• Flexible: Change doesn’t scare you, it energizes you. In a fast-changing retail environment and while working with diverse colleagues both within and outside your team, it’s important that you can easily adapt and manage different situations. 
• Great Communicator: You make complex things simple and inspire trust. You are able to understand others’ perspectives and communicate clearly and effectively. You are comfortable giving and receiving feedback and encourage others to do the same. 

Bring your energy, ideas, and leadership to HR Operations. Join us and help shape the future of HR for the Netherlands and beyond!

Additional Information

YOUR PATH TO A NEW CAREER

Grow with us! The next steps are:

1. Apply via our website (make sure you meet the requirements and tell us why you apply)
2. Our recruiter will contact you within 10 working days.
3. A first interview follows in our Central Head Office in Amsterdam. 
4. You do an online assessment.
5. You have the second interview.
6. In the event of a positive outcome, you will receive a proposal with the terms of employment.

Any questions? Our recruiter is happy to speak to you via Pieter.deboer@rituals.com.

Please note that applications via e-mail and LinkedIn are not taken into consideration. 

We kindly ask recruitment agencies to refrain from acquisition efforts. Unsolicited CVs or resumes will not be taken into consideration and will be treated as not received