HR Operations Manager – Maternity Cover

PLEASE NOTE: We're only considering candidates who are already based in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, we can't offer visa sponsorship or help with relocation. Thank you for understanding. 

⏰ Hours: 24–32 hours/week 
⚓ Location: Amsterdam (hybrid work, with regular in-office presence expected) 
⌛ Duration: 9 months - Fixed-term maternity cover 
⌛Starting date: December 1, 2026 ​
Salary Range: €3,750 – €4,167 gross per month (FTE), including 8% holiday allowance, based on a full-time contract.

Smart Freight Centre's People & Culture team keeps the organization running smoothly for everyone in it and we're looking for someone to step into the role of HR Manager while our People & Culture Manager is on maternity leave. If you're organized, discreet, and comfortable owning the details that keep a workplace compliant and people well looked-after, we'd love to hear from you. 

✈️ About Smart Freight Centre 
Think about the package that just arrived at your doorstep. The products on store shelves, or the goods being shipped across oceans. Logistics is everywhere, powering the world we live in. And because it's everywhere, it's also one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions globally. 
That's where Smart Freight Centre (SFC) steps in. We're tackling the carbon footprint of logistics head-on, working with businesses, governments, and key players around the globe. Our mission? To transform the logistics sector into a zero-emission industry by 2050, or hopefully even sooner. Want to help drive this change? Join us. 

✏️ About the position 
We are looking for a hands-on, organized and proactive HR Manager – Maternity Cover to support the day-to-day HR operations at Smart Freight Centre during a period of maternity leave. This is a varied operational role, focused on delivering efficient and consistent HR processes across our international organization. 
Working closely with the Director of People & Culture and the P&C Coordinator, you will support the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, employment contracts, payroll coordination, employee records, leave and absence administration, and HR systems management through Personio. 
You will be a key point of contact for employees and managers on day-to-day HR matters, coordinate recruitment activities from vacancy publication through to hiring, and ensure HR processes are accurate, timely, and aligned with internal policies and employment requirements. 
You support the Director of People & Culture in identifying and suggesting areas for improvement and guidance to further increase the cohesion of the organization, improve employee lifecycle and efficiency in compliance.  

⭐ Here's an idea of what tasks you might be working on: 
HR Administration & Employee Records

• Maintain accurate employee records, contracts, addenda, and personnel documentation in Personio and SharePoint.
• Prepare employment contracts, extensions, salary amendments, and other employment documentation.
• Maintain HR administration processes and ensure documentation is accurate, complete, and up to date.
• Support updates to employee policy manuals, HR procedures, and internal documentation.

HR Systems – Personio

• Manage the day-to-day administration of Personio, ensuring employee data, workflows, and documentation remain accurate.
• Support the further development of Personio as a central HR information and employee self-service platform.
• Generate HR reports, maintain employee data, and support improvements to system functionality.

Leave, Absence & Employment Compliance

• Administer holiday, maternity, parental, and sickness absence records and processes.
• Coordinate UWV applications and documentation, including maternity and parental leave, sickness notifications, and reintegration administration.
• Maintain absence and reintegration records, including documentation and coordination with our occupational health provider, Capability.
• Coordinate IND visa and residence permit applications, renewals, and related documentation for international employees.
• Support the administration and documentation of the RI&E (Risk Inventory and Evaluation) process and related action plans.

Recruitment, Onboarding & Offboarding

• Coordinate recruitment administration, including vacancy postings, applications, interview scheduling, and candidate communication through Personio.
• Prepare onboarding documentation, employee records, and coordinate practical arrangements with the P&C Coordinator.
• Maintain onboarding and offboarding checklists, workflows, and documentation.
• Support the administrative processing of employee departures and contract terminations.

Payroll, Benefits & Office Support

• Prepare monthly employee changes and payroll information for Finance, ensuring accurate and timely submissions.
• Coordinate routine benefits administration, including pension enrollments, changes, and employee documentation.
• Share responsibility for basic Amsterdam office administration with the P&C Coordinator, as needed.

⭐ As the ideal candidate you will demonstrate:

• HR Operations Experience: Proven experience in an HR Operations, HR Administration, or similar role, with strong knowledge of employee lifecycle administration, employment contracts, and HR processes.
• Dutch HR Administration: Practical knowledge of Dutch employment regulations and experience with UWV processes, including maternity and parental leave, sickness absence, and reintegration administration.
• HR Systems & Personio: Strong experience working with HR information systems, ideally Personio, including employee data management, workflows, reporting, and process improvements.
• Immigration Administration: Experience coordinating IND visa and residence permit applications and renewals is highly desirable.
• Policy & Compliance Support: Experience maintaining HR policies, employee handbooks, and compliance documentation. Familiarity with RI&E processes is an advantage.
• Recruitment Administration: Experience coordinating recruitment activities, applicant tracking, and onboarding processes through an HR system.
• Accuracy & Organization: Excellent administrative and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines independently.
• Confidentiality & Reliability: A professional and discreet approach to handling sensitive employee information, with a strong sense of responsibility and accuracy.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills. Dutch language skills are an advantage.x

Why us? 
❤️ Join a culture of collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. What you will get: 
At Smart Freight Centre, we believe in collaboration, creativity, and sustainability. We value everyone's ideas and create a welcoming space where you can grow and make an impact. 

• Take time for yourself: holiday and public holidays pro-rated to your contract, to relax, recharge, and do what matters most to you
• Right where you need to be: our office is located in the heart of Amsterdam, offering the perfect base for hybrid working
• Travel made easy: if you're in the Netherlands, we'll provide you with an NS Business card, so commuting is one less thing to worry about
• Bike loan scheme: prefer cycling? We'll help you get rolling with our bike loan program
• Care for your mind: full access to OpenUp means you can connect with psychologists, join mindfulness classes, and explore courses to support your mental health
• Good times guaranteed: join our team-building activities and enjoy time with your colleagues