HR Operations Manager (m/f/d)

Role Positioning

Responsible for executing and delivering day-to-day HR operations for the German entity, covering the full employee lifecycle (onboarding, probation, status changes, cross-border transfers, offboarding), HR process and SOP execution, HRIS and personnel file maintenance, recruitment and onboarding coordination, payroll/benefits and tax compliance support, visa and work permit administration, as well as administrative compliance and daily employee inquiry support. Working under the guidance of the HRBP/HRD, this role serves as the operational hub connecting Chinese HQ, external German vendors, and employees.

Key Responsibilities

1. HR Process Execution & SOP Implementation

• Execute and document end-to-end HR operational workflows (onboarding, probation reviews, status changes, cross-border transfers, offboarding) in line with established processes.

• Under the guidance of HRBP/HRD, execute and maintain HR Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure alignment with both German legal standards and HQ group guidelines.

• Maintain HRIS systems, digital personnel files, and master data with strict adherence to data privacy regulations (GDPR/DSGVO).

2. Local Compensation, Benefits & Tax Compliance Support

• Interface with and support external payroll service providers/tax advisors (Steuerberater), compiling and verifying payroll input data to ensure compliance with local wage tax (Lohnsteuer) and social insurance (Sozialversicherung) regulations.

• Serve as the day-to-day HR point of contact for employees on total rewards and cross-border mobility, answering basic inquiries.

• Support the evaluation of local benefit programs (health insurance, pension plans, company cars, mobility allowances) under the guidance of HR management.

3. Full-Cycle Recruitment & Onboarding Execution

• Coordinate and execute end-to-end recruitment activities, including job posting, candidate screening, interview scheduling, candidate communication, and liaison with external recruitment channels/agencies.

• Own operational onboarding for new hires (equipment preparation, welcome kits, induction schedules, contract signing) and smooth offboarding processes (exit interviews, reference letters, system deactivation).

4. Visa, Work Permit & Immigration Support

• Coordinate visa applications, German work permits/Blue Cards (Blaue Karte EU), and residence permit renewals for international employees and expats, in collaboration with local immigration authorities (Ausländerbehörde) and external agencies.

• Manage administrative logistics for cross-border assignments, including registration, relocation support, and official documentation verification.

5. Administrative Compliance & Legal Support

• Under the guidance of HRBP/HRD, draft, prepare, and manage essential legal HR documentation under German labor standards (including employment contracts, addendums, warning letters/Abmahnungen, and reference letters/Arbeitszeugnisse).

• Provide administrative support to HRD/HRBP in preparing documentation and coordinating workflows for Works Council (Betriebsrat) hearings, internal compliance reviews, and HR audits.

• Serve as a reliable operational point of contact for day-to-day employee HR inquiries.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Human Resources, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.

Work Experience

• 1–3 years (or 2–4 years) of hands-on HR operations experience within a corporate environment in Germany, covering the full HR lifecycle (recruitment, onboarding, payroll coordination, offboarding, etc.).

• Experience in cross-border or Sino-German background companies is a plus.

Core Competencies & Skills

• Process-Driven Execution: Ability to execute, document, and maintain HR workflows and SOPs in line with internal guidelines.

• Compensation & Tax Sensitivity: Solid understanding of German wage tax (Lohnsteuer), social security rules, and employee benefit compliance under various local/expat employment models.

• Full HR Lifecycle & Recruitment Support Experience: Hands-on experience with recruitment coordination, onboarding logistics, candidate management, and daily HR administration.

• Legal & Immigration Knowledge: Practical knowledge of German work permit/visa procedures (Ausländerbehörde), drafting basic legal HR documents (Arbeitszeugnis, contracts), and working with external Steuerberater.

• Cross-Border Collaboration: Comfortable working as a conduit between Chinese HQ/regional management and external German vendors/authorities.

Languages

• Business fluent in English and German (both written and spoken).

• Fluency in Mandarin is a strong plus (for smooth communication with HQ).

Role Level Notes

• Reports to: HRBP / HR Operations Manager / HRD (depending on organizational structure).

• Role positioning: Execution and support level, operationally focused, with no team management responsibility.

• Ideal candidate profile: HR operations professionals with hands-on experience in Germany who wish to deepen their career in HR Operations within a foreign-invested or cross-border company.