Compensation and Benefits Specialist

We are looking for an experienced Compensation and Benefits Specialist to join our HR team in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The ideal candidate will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing compensation and benefits programs that attract, motivate, and retain top talent while ensuring competitive positioning within the industry. This role requires a strong analytical mindset and a deep understanding of compensation trends and benefit programs.
In this role you will be responsible for the following:
1. Compensation and Benefits Management:
Compensation
Serving as the go-to specialist for all initiatives in the field of compensation management within EU and the Americas.
Designing and maintaining competitive compensation structures (including pensions and insurances) through performing cross regional job evaluations and annual benchmarks, ensuring market competitive compensation across the organization.
Build strong processes around and perform annual salary reviews and job evaluations to ensure equitable compensation across the organization.
Partner with the Global Reward Team in Singapore to share (local) business needs/developments and to ensure alignment on policies and programs.
Responsible for checks and approval processes around payroll, ensuring timely and accurate execution.
Develop and oversee employee benefit programs, including health, wellness, retirement, and other perks to enhance employee satisfaction and well-being.
Annual review of benefit programs and track/apply (legal) changes.
Manage relationships with external Comp & Ben vendors. Evaluate and negotiate contracts with benefits providers to ensure cost-effective solutions.
Prepare and present reports on compensation and benefits metrics to senior management, providing statistical HR data and actionable insights to improve retention and motivation but also optimizing cost structures.
Tracking personnel costs and ensuring overhead is kept in line with budget.
Create and disseminate communication materials to inform employees about compensation structures and benefits program and engage relevant stakeholders in EU and Americas.
Monitor and assess the effectiveness of compensation and benefits programs (e.g. through employee surveys), making recommendations for enhancements based on employee feedback and market trends supported with actionable insights and KPI's.
Prepare and maintain reports on HR metrics for management review.
HR & Admin Systems
Management/superuser of Workday (GAR's HR system)
Update and maintain staff database.
Maintain organisation charts.
Responsible for expense management (administration, verification and approvals).
Preparation of employer statements.
2. HR General and Admin:
Act as the go-to resource for manager and employees, providing guidance on HR policies, employment practices, and workplace issues while ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
Guiding and overseeing the full employee life cycle, including the HR processes and documentation (contracts, confirmation letters, exit documents, reporting) ensuring compliance with GDPR, labor laws, regulations and internal policies.
Initiate, advise, develop, implement and drive continuous improvement of HR processes (employee handbook, policies, benefits etc).
Responsible for recording, updating and monitoring HR and C&B processes and procedures.
Local follow-up of employee surveys, analyse results, collaborate with line-managers to implement action plans based on employee feedback and ensure visible follow-up.
Actively manage leave and sickness administration and provide assistance in case management where needed.
Actively participate in all HR projects.
The role will be reporting to the HR Director, based in the Netherlands.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Finance, or related field
At least 5 years of proven experience in HR, focusing specifically on compensation and benefits management, preferably in the commodities sector
International experience in compensation and benefits, dealing with local needs and frameworks, or at least the know-how to be able to map local compensation and benefits standards and translate into strategies for GAR
Experience in change and/or transition management trajectories
Strong knowledge of compensation principles, strategies, and best practices
Familiarity with benefits administration and health/welfare plan design. International experience is a plus
Proficient in HRIS systems and Microsoft Excel for data analysis
Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Personality
Strategic thinker with problem-solving abilities
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally
Strong interpersonal skills to build positive relationships across the organization and the ability to 'early engage' stakeholders
Self-motivated and adaptable to a dynamic work environment
The ability to swiftly get to the core of the business and the sector dynamics of the company to obtain sector specific information and standards and optimize GAR's competitive position in the job market
Proactive and looking for areas for improvement
A strong communicator, positive and motivated and able to engage stakeholders in change management trajectories
Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment
Fluent and highly proficient in Dutch and English
Decisive and action oriented
Strong planning and organizational skills; focuses on strong process management
Hands-on person with discipline and emotional maturity
Able to adapt to quick changes in environment, policies, and procedures.
What we offer
We offer an entrepreneurial and international environment where developing opportunities for growth is valued
A competitive compensation plan with pension contribution by employer
Flexibility on working hours
Professional development of our employees is important to us, therefore we offer several training and development opportunities both locally as well as globally
Company outings, Christmas dinner and this year we held our first well-being month, filled with many helpful yet fun activities because we care about our employees' well-being and their social connection!
Healthy snacks and drinks in the office every day
At GAR we are fully focused on sustainability. It's for this reason that we have moved to a new full sustainable office next to Central Station of Utrecht where daily commute is done by public transportation.
Please note that we often incorporate an assessment and reference checks in our selection procedures.
Seniority level Not Applicable
Employment type Full-time
Job function Human Resources
Industries International Trade and Development
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