Head of HR

ZARGES, part of ProDriven Global Brands, is a leading global provider of premium aluminum solutions, serving industries such as aerospace, medical, industrial, and logistics. Renowned for its innovation, quality, and durability, ZARGES combines engineering expertise with a strong customer focus to deliver high-performance standard and custom solutions. 

This is not a traditional HR Leadership role- this is a chance to build and shape the future of an organization at a pivotal moment.  As head of Human Resources for Hungary, you will influence business outcomes, develop talent at scale, lead and deliver the full HR agenda of the Hungarian manufacturing entity and establish HR as a true strategic partner.  The role combines strategic HR leadership with hands-on operation execution in a production environment. 

1.  HR Strategy & Business Partnership

• Act as a trusted strategic partner to the Managing Director and leadership team.
• Translate group HR strategy into local HR plans aligned with business objectives (productivity, quality, cost, growth).
• Proactively support organizational development, workforce planning, and succession planning.
• Drive HR‑related change initiatives (organizational restructuring, cultural transformation, efficiency programs).

2. Leadership & HR Governance

• Lead, develop, and engage the local HR team.
• Ensure full compliance with Hungarian labor law, group policies, and internal controls.
• Represent HR during internal and external audits.
• Serve as the local HR authority toward group functions, works council, trade unions, and authorities (where applicable).

3. Talent Management & Workforce Planning

• Own end‑to‑end recruitment and onboarding for both blue‑collar and white‑collar roles.
• Apply and develop talent identification, succession planning, and development programs.
• Support managerial capability development and leadership pipelines.
• Manage employer branding initiatives aligned with the local labor market.

4. Performance Management & Reward

• Lead performance management cycles in line with group frameworks.
• Manage local compensation, bonus, and benefit programs within group guidelines.
• Ensure market competitiveness, internal equity, and cost control.
• Support annual salary reviews and headcount cost planning.

5. Employee Relations & Engagement

• Maintain constructive employee relations, including union or works council cooperation (if applicable).
• Handle sensitive employee relations cases (disciplinary actions, terminations, grievances).
• Drive employee engagement initiatives and support a positive, performance‑oriented culture.
• Lead internal communication together with management.

6. Learning & Development

• Identify skills gaps and define training priorities for production and support functions.
• Coordinate technical, compliance, leadership, and soft‑skills trainings.
• Support continuous improvement and Lean culture through people development.

7. HR Operations & Administration

• Oversee payroll, time management, absence management, and HR administration (outsourced or internal).
• Ensure accurate HR data, reporting, and KPI tracking.
• Manage HR systems (HRIS) and ensure data quality and GDPR compliance.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Law, Economics, or a related field required

• Master’s degree or professional HR certification a plus

Experience

• Minimum 10-12 years in HR leadership role
• Strong background in a manufacturing / industrial environment
• Experience within a multinational company is essential
• Proven track record in employee relations, labor law application, and organizational change

Language Skills

• Fluent Hungarian and English (written and spoken) – mandatory
• German or another European language (advantage)

ZARGES is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. ZARGES is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All qualified applicants to ZARGES are considered for employment without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status or any other protected characteristic. ZARGES will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind based on these characteristics.