Labor & Employment Counsel – Netherlands

Job Description

We are currently recruiting for a Counsel Labor & Employment (L&E), who will play a pivotal role in supporting Kraft Heinz’s workforce in the Netherlands, ensuring compliance with and providing strategic employment law advice to the business, optimizing employment practices, and managing critical employment-related legal matters. This role is integral to maintaining our high standards for employee relations, handling complex legal issues, and supporting our business objectives.
 

This role is very broad in scope and can vary on a day-to-day basis depending on what our business requires. We are looking for someone who wants to work in a fast-moving and fluid environment, collaborating with internal stakeholders. As such, excellent communication skills and a flexible work approach are needed when working with colleagues with diverse backgrounds.

The Counsel L&E is committed to develop the long-term interests of the business in this area, such as driving the continued development of a center of excellence in Dutch employment law and contributing to the development (to the extent possible by local laws) of a pan-European approach to key employment law strategic initiatives for the business.
 

Our footprint in The Netherlands is significant. Our current employment base in The Netherlands consists of 1300+ employees and ±360 contractors, spread across 4 different locations (Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Elst and Utrecht) and 8 legal entities. The Netherlands is expected to become of even more importance for Kraft Heinz due to the expansion or move of global/zone teams to the Amsterdam office.

Key responsibilities
 

Individual Case Support

• Manage performance management and disciplinary cases, ensuring compliance with Dutch labor law.
• Oversee sickness case management, implementing strategic approaches to navigate complex and onerous Dutch sickness laws while mitigating costs.
• Represent Kraft Heinz in employment litigation matters.
   

Organizational Level Support

• Guide and support restructuring efforts, including redundancy and reorganization processes.
• Provide expert legal advice on Works Council matters, facilitating advice and endorsement requests while addressing the questioning nature of Dutch Works Councils.
• Review and adjust employment contracts, ensuring alignment with legal and business requirements.
• Develop, review, and update company policies to reflect best practices and comply with legal obligations.
• Advise on workplace safety regulations and employee benefit programs.
• Providing support on deals and Acquired Rights Directive matters
• Assist with wider cross-border projects and responding to EU legislation which require a multidisciplinary approach (e.g. CSRD and CSDD directives).

Standardization and Training

• Maintain and enhance existing templates and resources for HR, promoting self-service efficiency.
• Provide updates and deliver training for HR on key employment law topics, leveraging platforms like Kraft Heinz’s Ownerversity for continuous learning.

Compliance Support

• Navigate international mobility contract issues, including tax and visa implications for expatriate employees.
• Support the business with employment aspects of confidentiality and competition issues.
• Supporting HR with compliance on immigration and tax matters.
• Ensure compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements applicable to our factories.

Qualifications

Must haves
 

• Master’s degree in law, with a focus on employment law.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department in an international setting, specializing in Dutch employment law.
• Proven track record of managing complex Dutch employment law matters and engaging with Dutch Works Councils.

Skills & Abilities

• Deep understanding of Dutch labor and employment legislation, including Works Council and Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to provide pragmatic legal advice tailored to business needs.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both Dutch and English.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, with exceptional organizational skills.
• Collaborative and proactive mindset, eager to engage with diverse stakeholders across the organization in an international setting.

Why join us?

Kraft Heinz offers an exciting and dynamic work environment where legal professionals can thrive and contribute to a globally recognized brand. Join our team to be a strategic partner in shaping our workforce and driving business success in The Netherlands.

Location(s)

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.