Local People & Culture Business Partner – Italy & Spain
At STG, we always encourage you to craft the career that makes you more. Working for one of our world-class brands means being part of a great working environment and collaborating with people from all corners of the world on a product you are proud of.
Role Summary
The Local People & Culture Business Partner – Italy & Spain is responsible for delivering high-quality People & Culture support across both markets, acting as a trusted advisor to managers and employees throughout the employee lifecycle.
This role combines business partnering, employee relations, HR operations, and employment law expertise to support business performance and employee engagement. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring compliance with local legislation, supporting managers on people matters, and driving the effective implementation of People & Culture initiatives across Italy and Spain.
- Location: Italy (Preferred) or Spain
- Reporting Line: Regional Senior People & Culture Manager
- Department: People & Culture
- Contract Type: Full-Time
What can you expect as a Local People & Culture Business Partner – Italy & Spain at Scandinavian Tobacco Group? Your primary tasks will be:
Business Partnering & Employee Relations
- Act as the primary People & Culture contact for managers and employees across Italy and Spain
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders and provide practical HR guidance on a wide range of people matters
- Support managers in employee relations cases, including disciplinary processes, performance management, grievances, absenteeism, and terminations
- Coach managers on people management practices, company policies, and employee engagement initiatives
- Support organizational changes and business transformation activities
Employment Law & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with Italian and Spanish employment legislation, collective agreements, and company policies
- Provide practical guidance on day-to-day employment matters while identifying potential legal and employee relations risks
- Prepare and review employment-related documentation, including contracts, amendments, and termination letters
- Coordinate with external legal advisors, labor consultants, payroll providers, and local authorities when required
- Monitor legislative developments and support the implementation of necessary policy and process changes
HR Operations
- Manage the employee lifecycle from onboarding through offboarding
- Maintain accurate employee records and ensure compliance with GDPR and data privacy requirements
- Support payroll and benefits administration in collaboration with external providers
- Maintain and continuously improve local HR processes, policies, and practices
- Ensure a consistent and high-quality employee experience across both countries
Talent Acquisition & Development
- Support recruitment activities and hiring processes across Italy and Spain
- Coordinate onboarding and integration activities for new employees
- Contribute to talent management, succession planning, and employee development initiatives
- Support employee engagement, retention, and development programs
Projects & Continuous Improvement
- Participate in regional and international People & Culture projects
- Drive continuous improvement of HR processes, systems, and employee experience initiatives
- Support the implementation of corporate People & Culture programs and strategic priorities
- Contribute to the adoption of best practices across the People & Culture function
Your areas of knowledge and expertise (that matters the most for this role):
Experience
- Minimum of 3–5 years of experience in a Human Resources Generalist, HR Business Partner, or People & Culture role
- Experience working within an international and fast-paced business environment
- Solid practical knowledge of Italian employment law and HR practices
- Good understanding of Spanish employment law and HR administration
- Proven experience independently managing employee relations matters, including disciplinary procedures, performance management, employee grievances, absence management, and terminations
- Experience working with local authorities, external service providers, legal advisors, or labor consultants
Technical Knowledge
- Strong understanding of HR operations and the employee lifecycle
- Knowledge of employment legislation, compliance requirements, and HR best practices
- Ability to identify employment-related risks and seek specialist support when appropriate
- Experience supporting payroll, benefits administration, and HR documentation processes
- Familiarity with HRIS systems and digital HR processes is considered an advantage
Business Partnering & People Skills
- Strong business partnering capabilities with the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization
- Effective stakeholder management and communication skills
- Ability to influence, coach, and support managers on a broad range of people matters
- Strong interpersonal skills with a service-oriented and collaborative approach
Problem Solving & Personal Effectiveness
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities across different countries
- Pragmatic and solution-oriented mindset with sound judgment and decision-making capabilities
- Adaptable and resilient, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment
- Continuous improvement mindset and commitment to enhancing people processes and employee experience
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Law, or a related field
- Additional HR qualifications or certifications are considered an advantage
Languages
- Fluent Italian (mandatory)
- Fluent Spanish (mandatory)
- Fluent English (mandatory)
What will make you successful in this role?
- Experience supporting multiple European countries is considered an advantage
- Experience within FMCG, manufacturing, retail, consumer goods, or other international matrix organizations is preferred
- Exposure to change management and organizational transformation initiatives is beneficial
- Strong employee relations expertise combined with a practical and business-focused approach to HR
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational delivery
How to Apply
If you are ready to be part of our exciting journey at STG, please apply by including your resume and highlighting your experience, as well as any other relevant information you would like to share with us.
Thank you for considering this exciting opportunity.
Scandinavian Tobacco Group Talent Team
Scandinavian Tobacco Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Please be informed that this Direct Search is conducted exclusively by Scandinavian Tobacco Group. We do not accept applications from agencies, and we will not provide compensation for unsolicited CVs.