Cluster HR Manager (Serbia & North Macedonia)

DS Smith is a leading provider of corrugated packaging solutions worldwide. Over the past 80 years our organisation has grown dramatically, as have our services and areas of expertise.

We are looking for an experienced and business-oriented Cluster HR Manager to lead the Human Resources function across Serbia and North Macedonia. In this strategic role, you will partner closely with the Cluster Leadership Team to drive organizational effectiveness, talent management, employee engagement, workforce planning, and HR excellence while ensuring compliance with local labor legislation and Group HR standards. This is an excellent opportunity for an HR leader who is passionate about partnering with the business, developing talent, and driving organizational success.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to business leaders on all people-related matters while developing and executing the HR strategy aligned with business objectives and Group HR priorities.
• Drive organizational effectiveness, workforce planning, capability building, and change initiatives across Serbia and North Macedonia.
• Lead the implementation of regional and Group HR programs, ensuring the consistent application of HR policies, processes, and standards while respecting local legal requirements.
• Oversee recruitment and hiring activities across the cluster, partner with managers to identify current and future staffing needs, ensure a positive candidate and onboarding experience, and drive employer branding initiatives to attract and retain top talent.
• Lead talent reviews, succession planning, and leadership development initiatives; identify and develop high-potential employees; promote a culture of continuous learning; and support managers in strengthening team performance and employee development.
• Drive the performance management process across the cluster, coach leaders on goal setting and performance reviews, lead employee engagement initiatives, and monitor retention, absenteeism, and turnover trends to implement effective improvement measures.
• Provide guidance on employee relations matters, workplace investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes, while ensuring compliance with labor legislation and managing relationships with employee representatives.
• Support compensation and benefits processes, salary reviews, and reward programs; advise leadership on market competitiveness and reward practices; maintain HR policies, job descriptions, and organizational structures; and continuously improve HR processes and employee experience.
• Analyze workforce data and key HR metrics to support decision-making, provide regular reporting and insights to business and regional leadership, and identify workforce risks, trends, and opportunities while recommending appropriate actions.
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What We Are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Law, or a related field.
• Several years of progressive HR experience, including experience in an HR Business Partner, HR Manager, or similar leadership role.
• Experience supporting multiple locations or countries is an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of labor legislation and HR practices.
• Experience in talent management, organizational development, employee relations, and change management.
• Strong business partnering and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and influencing abilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to lead organizational change and transformation initiatives.
• Fluency in Serbian and English.

What We Offer

• A strategic leadership role with significant business impact.
• Opportunity to shape the people agenda across two countries.
• A collaborative and dynamic international environment, where your contributions are valued.
• Professional development and growth opportunities.
• A stable, long-term career opportunity, competitive salary and benefits package.
• Private health insurance.

If you are passionate about driving business success through people and thrive in a challenging, fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you.