Site HR Manager, Ghent

Role Description

Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. At our two advanced manufacturing sites in Ghent, we are committed to sustainable innovation, safety, and continuous improvement. We are looking for an experienced HR Manager to join our local leadership team and drive impactful HR strategy and operations on-site.

As HR Manager for Eastman’s Ghent South operations, you will serve as a trusted advisor to site leadership, employees, and unions. You will co-lead collective labor agreement (CLA) negotiations, proactively manage employee relations, and oversee all aspects of HR operations and talent strategy. This is a key role that bridges strategic leadership and hands-on HR execution in a complex unionized environment. You will also play a key role in developing and empowering talent—within the HR team as well as across a broader global organization—to support a high-performance, future-ready workforce.

Responsibilities

• Co-Lead union and works council relationships, including preparation and execution of CLA negotiations and consultations in compliance with Belgian labor law.
• Act as the primary HR contact for site leadership and employees, ensuring strong collaboration and open communication.
• Partner with site and corporate leadership to align HR strategy with business objectives.
• Drive employee engagement, retention, and talent development initiatives tailored to the needs of a manufacturing environment.
• Provide guidance on performance management, conflict resolution, disciplinary procedures, and workplace investigations.
• Ensure compliance with local labor laws, health & safety regulations, and internal company policies.
• Lead or support local implementation of global HR programs and systems (e.g., talent review, compensation planning, DE&I initiatives).
• Supervise or support local HR team members as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in human resources, Law, Industrial Relations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive HR experience, including significant experience in a unionized manufacturing environment in Belgium.
• Proven track record in leading CLA negotiations and managing complex employee relations
  cases.
• Strong knowledge of Belgian labor law and collective labor systems.
• Fluent in Dutch and English; French is a plus.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Pragmatic, solution-oriented, and comfortable in a hands-on role.

We offer

• A strategic, high-impact role within a global organization known for its innovation and valuesdriven culture.
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth across a wide international HR network.
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• A collaborative work environment with a focus on safety, integrity, and teamwork.

Join us at Eastman and be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and commercial excellence. Apply now and let's shape the future together.