Title:  Manager Labor & Employee Relations/ Legal Counsel (m/f/d)

At West, we’re a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West’s indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun. A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?  

There’s no better place to join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development. Supported by benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.  

We believe in giving back to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. And are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.  

Location: Eschweiler, NRW, Germany

Reason for open role: Replacement

Contract details: Permanent, Full-Time

Travel requirements: 5-10%

Start date: asap

Contact person: Katharina Steffens

Job Summary:

In this role as Manager Labor & Employee Relations (m/f/d), you will offer labor and employee relations support to HR business partners and key stakeholders in the business. Critical to the success of this role will be the design and delivery of labor and employee relations strategies and initiatives. You will demonstrate knowledge and experience of key employee relations policies and offer pragmatic advice on employee relations matters to enable stakeholders resolve employee issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the development, implementation and execution of global Labor & Employee Relation strategies that drive the global HR and business strategies at the German sites
• Responsible for managing Labor & Employee Relations between the employer and the company's various employee groups (e.g. works councils) and their representative bodies at company and inter-company level at the German sites in cooperation with the local HR departments
• Advising and supporting local management as well as global and local HR departments on all labor law and co-determination-related issues in cooperation with internal and external legal advisors
• Responsible for German collective bargaining negotiations in close cooperation with local site management and corporate HR and finance
• Handle employee related issues and employee complaints in cooperation with local HR departments and managers as well as the global compliance department
• Advising the German, Italian and Spanish entities on all data protection issues in close cooperation with the external company data protection officer and West’s legal & compliance department
• Conduct thorough in person investigations into employee concerns and employee relation risk & compliance assessments

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in human resources or in related discipline, preferably legal degree
• 8-10 years of HR experience in employee relations within an international company is preferred
• Strong understanding and experience with German labor law, collective agreements, unions and works councils
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive issues and manage complex projects
• Excellent German and English skills both written and verbal
• Experience and motivation to work in an international, cross-functional environment
• Excellent ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders
• Demonstrated decision-making, strong problem-solving and negotiation skills
• Ability to work with multiple sources of data, and assimilate and present information quickly, clear and concise
• Excellent verbal and written communication to a variety of audiences

West embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We foster an environment where all individuals are safe, treated fairly, valued and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Where permitted by law, employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of post-offer background screening and/or drug screening.