People Generalist

Job Title: People Generalist

Type of employment: Permanent, Full time

Location: This is an on-site/ hybrid role based in Ratingen, Germany. Hybrid working 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home. You need to be based in Germany and have the rights to work without visa sponsorship. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

About ZigZag Global   

We are Returns! We’re an award-winning eCommerce returns business founded in 2015 by our CEO, Al Gerrie. We live to push boundaries of smarter returns, and we want a thriving retail world where every customer experience is both delightful and considered, everything we buy can be loved and re-loved and preserving our planet is part of the fabric of how we shop.  

Today, more than 200 companies across 130 countries use our SaaS platform to help reduce the cost, friction, and impact of returns. Part of our leading enterprise retail clients include Zara, Superdry, New Look, Boden, Selfridges, Sports Direct, The Hut Group, Swarovski, not to forget the Whitelabel partnership with the world’s biggest logistics businesses like DHL, Evri, and FedEx.  

In March 2021, ZigZag was acquired by Global Blue, an industry leader in tax free shopping. Strengthening our reach across the global retail industry and allowing us to continue to do what we do best, help retailers manage and re-sell their returns.  

At ZigZag, we embody a set of values that lies at the core of our workplace culture. Our dedication to the Start-up Spirit, Human Heart and Grown-up Mindset defines our collaborative spirit and shapes our collective success.  

Passionate and Collaborative Minds Wanted:

You’ll join a brilliantly diverse group across Europe. We believe a business is strongest when its teams are both inclusive and diverse. We recognise and aim to challenge everyday biases, remove obstacles to inclusion and ensure all our people can thrive and be themselves.

If you are passionate about making a positive impact, caring for both colleagues and clients, and embracing a collaborative mindset, we invite you to apply. Join us in building a workplace where every contribution matters, and each team member feels a profound sense of belonging and value.

Position Overview:

This is a true generalist role and covers all aspects of HR and basic office management responsibilities for our rapidly growing warehouse operation in Ratingen, Germany which currently has 23 employees.

This role will work closely with the Operations Manager on site and report to the Head of People and Culture based in the UK. The People & Culture team is made up of 3 other members based in both the UK and Bulgaria. We’re passionate about ensuring every employee at ZigZag has the best possible employee experience. We’re here to support employees – they’re our clients! 

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing the recruitment process for warehouse operatives from end to end
• Manage all employee life-cycle processes including, onboarding, probation and offboarding 
• Issue all employee documentation, including contracts and amendment letters 
• Be the first point of contact for employees, providing day-to-day support for any queries or concerns they may have around pay, policies and process etc. 
• Ensuring we remain compliant with German employment law in our process and practices
• Maintain our HRIS, HiBob, ensuring our data, employees files and documentation are always up to date 
• Ensure absence records and documentation are maintained and up to date
• Oversee the administration of local company benefits 
• Help to create and maintain local People & Culture policies and processes, touching on all aspects on the employee journey 
• Provide advice to line managers when needed
• Managing employment relations cases and processes 
• Listen to employees, collecting their feedback on culture and processes, suggesting ways in which we can improve based on these 
• Run monthly payroll
• Ensure hours (including overtime) are recorded correctly and reported to payroll
• Adhoc office and health and safety administration

What you’ll need to be successful:

• Previous experience working in HR or People team 
• Fluent in both German and English
• Genuinely care about people and their employment experience 
• Ability to take initiative, be autonomous and get stuff done 
• A positive and solution focused approach to problem solving 
• Ability to work well with ambiguity and turn ideas into practical processes and clear philosophies 
• Emotional intelligence and the ability to treat difficult conversations and sensitive situations with care 
• A sincere and professional approach, always being honest, ethical and fair 
• Great communication skills – one of our key roles as people team is to build trust and deliver clear and consistent messaging to employees of all levels 
• Empathy and Compassion: Cultivate a Human Heart by displaying empathy and compassion, fostering positive relationships with team members and customers alike.
• Passion for Continuous Improvement: Embody a commitment to continuous improvement, actively seeking opportunities to learn and grow both personally and professionally.
• Tenacious Problem-Solving: Exhibit tenacity in addressing challenges, embodying the value of "Be Tenacious" by persistently seeking solutions and overcoming obstacles.

• Competitive salary
• 28 days holiday + public holidays + plus a bonus day off for your birthday
• Flexible working options – hybrid working 2 days from home per week
• Annual L&D Budget
• Employee referral bonus scheme
• Flexible working hours

If you are interested, please send your CV in English.

Your application will be reviewed with strict confidentiality. Only the short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Providing your personal data, you explicitly agree that it will be processed for the purpose of recruiting and for the purpose of the possible signing of a labour contract and will be stored and operated by “ZigZag Global” EOOD in their capacity of the personal data controller and personal data processor in accordance with the effective legislation. Please have in mind that with this you give permission for your resume to be shared with other parties of the ZigZag Global Group