People & Culture Business Partner - Faerch Finland

Faerch Finland | Hämeenlinna, Finland

Are you an experienced HR professional who enjoys working close to people and the business? Do you thrive in an environment where you can take ownership, support managers in their everyday challenges and make a visible difference?

Faerch Finland is looking for a People & Culture Business Partner to take responsibility for local HR operations at its Hämeenlinna production site. This is an opportunity to combine hands-on HR work with business partnering in an established manufacturing environment, while being part of an international People & Culture organisation.

About Faerch

Faerch is an international manufacturer of high-quality food packaging solutions, with sustainability and circularity at the heart of its business. The company produces recyclable packaging for a wide range of food products and promotes the reuse of plastic materials through its recycling operations.

Faerch Finland's production facility in Hämeenlinna employs approximately 200 people and specialises in PET-based food packaging for Finnish and international markets. Production operates in a five-shift system, including weekends. The Hämeenlinna site combines experienced employees and strong local manufacturing expertise with modern production facilities, significant investments and the support of an international organisation.

Your opportunity

As People & Culture Business Partner, you will take overall responsibility for the People & Culture agenda in Finland, ensuring that HR operations run smoothly and that employees and managers receive professional, practical and timely support.

You will work in close day-to-day partnership with the Site Director, acting as a trusted adviser and sparring partner in people-related matters. You will also support production leadership, Finance, Sales and other local functions, contributing to management discussions and decision-making from an HR perspective.

The position combines two important dimensions: responsibility for local HR operations, employment relations and leadership support, and implementation of Faerch's international People & Culture policies, processes and initiatives.

This is a genuinely hands-on role. You will be close to the everyday operations of the factory, supporting managers and employees, resolving practical challenges and ensuring that HR processes work effectively. You will also have the independence to develop local practices where needed, without a mandate for major organisational transformation.

In your daily work, you will be supported by local colleagues responsible for payroll, HR administration and production-related personnel administration.

Your key responsibilities

HR operations and employee relations

• Take ownership of local HR processes throughout the employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, development and offboarding

• Provide advice and practical support on employment matters, Finnish employment legislation and applicable collective agreements

• Support production supervisors and other managers in employee relations, performance management and challenging personnel situations

• Coordinate occupational healthcare, employee wellbeing matters and cooperation with external service providers

• Ensure accurate HR data, reporting and payroll-related information in cooperation with local colleagues

• Maintain constructive relationships and open communication between employees, management and employee representatives

Leadership support and business partnering

• Act as a trusted HR adviser and sparring partner to the Site Director and local leadership

• Support managers in their daily leadership responsibilities, team development and people management

• Participate in local leadership discussions and contribute a practical People & Culture perspective

• Strengthen collaboration, employee engagement and effective ways of working across the organisation

International People & Culture collaboration

• Implement Group-wide People & Culture policies and processes in line with Finnish legislation and local requirements

• Participate in international HR initiatives, development projects and knowledge sharing

• Support employee development, engagement surveys, succession planning and HR reporting in line with Group frameworks

• Collaborate with international colleagues and Group-level HR specialists

Your team and working environment

You will join a well-established manufacturing organisation with experienced professionals and a strong sense of community. Many employees have long careers with Faerch, bringing valuable production expertise and continuity to the business.

The role requires an ability to understand different perspectives, build trust and support managers in an operational environment where practical solutions and good relationships are essential.

You will be a member of the local Country Leadership Team and report directly to the Senior Director, Country P&C Business Partnering, based in Belgium.

You will have regular weekly one-to-one meetings with your manager and be part of an international network of People & Culture professionals. Monthly international team meetings, collaboration with Group specialists and occasional international workshops provide opportunities to share experience, learn from colleagues and contribute to common initiatives.

Finnish is the primary working language at the Hämeenlinna site, while English is used in international collaboration.

What we are looking for

We are looking for an approachable, capable and business-oriented HR professional who enjoys being involved in everyday operations and working closely with people at all levels of an organisation.

You have a solid foundation in HR and the confidence to work independently, while recognising the value of collaboration and shared expertise.

We hope you bring:

• Experience in a broad HR Business Partner, HR Manager or HR Generalist role, combining operational HR responsibilities with management support

• A good understanding of Finnish employment legislation, collective agreements and employee relations

• Experience supporting managers in personnel matters, everyday leadership and challenging situations

• An understanding of manufacturing, industrial operations or another operationally driven business environment

• Familiarity with HR processes, systems, reporting and employee data.

• Fluent Finnish and good professional English skills

Experience in an international organisation or HR development initiatives is an advantage. Previous experience in food packaging is not required, nor do we expect you to be an expert in Faerch's locally agreed collective agreement from day one.

We are looking for a person who:

• Builds trust naturally, listens carefully and communicates clearly with people at all levels

• Handles challenging situations constructively and helps managers find practical, workable solutions

• Takes initiative and gets things done, following through on commitments and taking ownership of responsibilities

• Combines a hands-on approach with business understanding, balancing attention to detail with the bigger picture

• Works collaboratively and builds strong relationships, acting as a reliable and trusted partner to business leaders and colleagues

• Enjoys working with people and making a positive difference in everyday working life

Faerch's value "You see it, you own it" captures the mindset we appreciate: taking responsibility, stepping forward and making things happen.

Why join Faerch Finland?

A meaningful role with real ownership. You will have broad responsibility for local People & Culture operations and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the everyday working lives of approximately 200 employees.

A close partnership with business leadership. You will work directly with the Site Director and local management, contributing your expertise to practical decisions and people-related challenges.

Local responsibility with international support. You can work independently while benefiting from experienced People & Culture colleagues, shared expertise and international development opportunities.

An established business and modern manufacturing environment. You will join an experienced organisation that values quality, cooperation and practical expertise, with significant investments already made in its facilities.

A business committed to sustainability. Faerch's work in recyclable food packaging and circular material solutions provides a meaningful setting for your professional contribution.

Practical information and benefits

Location: Hämeenlinna, Finland

Working model: The position is primarily site-based, reflecting the importance of being available to employees and managers. Full on-site presence is expected during onboarding. Occasional remote working can be agreed once established in the role, depending on business needs.

Travel: Limited international travel, typically once or twice a year.

Target starting date: January 2027, subject to agreement.

Compensation: Faerch offers a competitive salary based on experience and competencies, complemented by a performance-based bonus scheme. Benefits include comprehensive occupational healthcare, a mobile phone benefit, an annual Epassi benefit and work ability insurance.

Recruitment process

The recruitment process is conducted in cooperation with Nawia.

1. Discussions with Nawia

The process begins with an initial discussion and an in-depth interview with Nawia, focusing on your experience, motivation and suitability for the position.

2. Interviews with Faerch

Selected candidates will proceed to interviews with the Senior Director, Country P&C Business Partnering and the local Site Director. The final candidate will also meet Faerch's Chief People Officer. Parts of the interview process will be conducted in English.

3. Assessment, references and final decision

The final stages include a professional assessment and reference checks before Faerch makes its recruitment decision.

Nawia will support you and keep you informed throughout the process.

Interested in joining Faerch?

Please submit your application November 17th 2026 through the application link. Kindly note that we do not accept applications via email.

We will begin interviewing candidates during the application period, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

For further information, please contact:

Jaana Pullinen

Senior Consultant, Nawia Oy

jaana.pullinen(at)nawia.fi

Roosa Huovinen

Senior Consultant, Nawia Oy

roosa.huovinen(at)nawia.fi

Tel. 040 561 3438

Roosa is available for calls at the following times:

• Thursday, November 5, 15:00–16:00

• Tuesday, November 10, 10:00–11:00

We look forward to hearing from you!