HR Manager/HR Business Partner (HRBP)

About Ardena

Ardena is a global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Contract Research Organization (CRO) specialising in precision medicine development. Ardena supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in bringing innovative, complex molecules from discovery to market.

The Ardena Group operates from sites across Europe and the United States, employing more than 750 professionals. Ardena European sites are located in Oss and Assen (the Netherlands), Ghent (Belgium), and Pamplona (Spain). Ardena US facility is based in Somerset, New Jersey.

For the Ardena Business Unit based in Somerset (US), we are recruiting an HR Manager / HR Business Partner to join our People & Culture team.

Job Overview

Department: People & Culture

Location: Somerset (US)

This role will act as an integral HR partner to site leadership and business teams, providing operational HR support and strategic HR business partnering. The position combines day-to-day HR management (employee relations, policy implementation, performance management, recruitment guidance, and HR administration) with advisory responsibilities to support workforce planning, organisational development and a positive employee experience within a GMP-regulated environment.

Role Description

The HR Manager / HR Business Partner is responsible for delivering HR services that enable the business to meet its objectives while ensuring compliance with relevant employment laws, Ardena policies and CARE values. The role requires proactive engagement with managers and employees, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement of HR processes and practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted HR business partner to site leadership and managers, offering guidance on complex employee relations, performance management, disciplinary and grievance matters, ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant outcomes.

• Support recruitment and onboarding activities by partnering with hiring managers, advising on selection strategies, participating in interviews, and ensuring a smooth induction experience that meets compliance and safety requirements.

• Drive performance management processes, coaching managers on objective setting, regular feedback, probation reviews and performance improvement plans; support talent calibration and succession planning activities.

• Develop, implement and maintain HR policies and procedures in line with Ardena standards; ensure policies are communicated and applied consistently across the site.

• Deliver learning and development initiatives in collaboration with HR colleagues, including onboarding, compliance training and targeted development programs that build capability and engagement.

• Manage HR administration activities, including HRIS records, contract changes, absence management, benefits administration and HR reporting to ensure accurate and timely people data.

• Provide HR metrics and analysis (headcount, turnover, absence, recruitment KPIs) to support decision-making and continuous improvement of people practices.

• Support employee engagement initiatives and site culture activities that reinforce Ardena’s CARE values: Communicative, Accountable, Reliable and Excellent.

• Ensure compliance with relevant employment legislation and support internal and external audits or inspections related to HR practices.

• Lead AI-driven process improvement and automation initiatives across HR programs.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field preferred.

• 8+ years’ progressive HR experience with demonstrable experience in employee relations, performance management and HR advisory; experience in a regulated or manufacturing environment is desirable.

• Experience working as an HR Business Partner or HR Manager supporting multi-disciplinary teams.

• HR certification preferred.

• AI certification or formal training is a plus

Knowledge / Skills:

• Strong working knowledge of US employment legislation and best practice HR processes.

• Proven ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with discretion and integrity.

• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills with the ability to influence leaders and build credible relationships at all levels.

• Payroll proficiency with Paylocity a plus

• Analytical approach to HR metrics and experience using HRIS systems; proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, for