Looking for a fresh challenge? At Routeco, our vision is to be Europe's leading industrial automation and controls specialist — combining seamless customer experience with unmatched technical expertise to create lasting partnerships. This is Routeco Know-How. As part of the Sonepar Group—the largest B2B electrical distributor globally—we offer the stability of a global organisation while staying firmly rooted in the UK market. We value professionalism, agility and teamwork, with customers at the centre of every decision.Working Together to Support Our People This role sits within the Sonepar UK people team, supporting Routeco's UK and European entities across the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland. You'll play a key role in delivering consistent, high-quality HR practices across Europe — supporting the associate experience and business growth by embedding effective HR systems, processes, and initiatives across all locations. Working closely with UK and European leadership, you'll provide expert guidance across the full employee lifecycle, operating as a true Business Partner who aligns people strategy with business outcomes. You'll also collaborate across Sonepar's European HR network, sharing best practice and driving continuous improvement. What you'll be doing

Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance across Routeco's European entities, maintaining up-to-date employment law knowledge and reducing legal risk
Partner with local legal advisers on complex employee relations matters
Act as a trusted advisor to managers on performance management and the rollout of global frameworks, policies and tools
Use people data and insights to contribute to quarterly and annual reporting, including trends, metrics and KPIs
Support talent acquisition, development and succession planning across the region
Drive associate engagement initiatives, including 'stay' interviews and exit trend analysis
Coordinate a compliant and competitive European benefits offering aligned to local and group standards
Promote wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion and Purpose initiatives, respecting local cultural needs
Work with Finance to ensure accurate and timely payroll delivery across all European entities
Contribute to pay benchmarking and reward reviews across Europe

What do you need to bring?

Minimum 5 years' HR experience across Talent Acquisition, Benefits and Compensation, including high-level disciplinary, grievance, performance management and appeals
Strong knowledge of UK and European HR practices; multi-country experience preferred
Degree in HR/Business (or related) and CIPD qualified (Graduate level)
Fluent English; additional European languages (French, German, Dutch) advantageous
High attention to detail, strong analytical and communication skills, and ability to handle confidential information
Able to use data to drive evidence-based people decisions
Experienced managing workload independently in a hybrid environment
Comfortable managing crisis/emergency HR situations
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Copilot) and digital tools
Willingness to travel

What can we offer you?

Base salary: Competitive + bonus
Time Off: 25 days annual leave, rising to 30, with option to flex up/down 5 days
Long Service Rewards: Special gifts and up to 5 extra holiday days in your anniversary year
Wellness Benefits: Health and wellbeing cashback scheme
BUPA Cover: Medical cover for all associates
Financial Security: Life assurance at 2x salary
Free Shares: Eligible after 3 years of service
Pension: Group personal pension with 5% employer contribution
Continuous Learning: 1 hour of protected development time every week
Family-Friendly Leave: Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Recognition: Discretionary on-the-spot and value-based awards
Volunteer Time Off & Workplace Giving: Paid time off for volunteering
Exclusive Discounts: Associate Discounts Portal
Referral Bonuses: Financial reward for referring great people
Cycle Scheme: Salary sacrifice cycle scheme
Wellbeing Support: 24/7 EAP via Unum, plus Mental Health First Aiders
Fitness Benefits: Gym membership discounts

Our promise At Routeco, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you're interested but don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply — you might still be a great match. Please let us know of any adjustments needed.

We use blind CVs
We're GEISS accredited
We're a registered Member of Inclusive Employers
We have internal focus groups on Mental Health, Menopause, D&I and more
We publish our diversity aims and figures

Are you ready to make a difference? REF-229 269

Sonepar

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UK & EU HR Business Partner