Senior HR Generalist (F/M)

Wärtsilä is an innovative technology company known for being a forerunner in the Marine and Energy markets. Every day, we – Wärtsilians - put our hearts and minds into turning Wärtsilä's purpose of enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services into reality.

We want to transition the world towards a decarbonised and sustainable future.  By pushing the boundaries of engineering and technology, we can make it work. Together, we can create new business opportunities and more sustainable future that we can all be proud of.  Want to join the ride?

 

Senior HR Generalist 
Location: Gdynia, Poland On-site

Reports to: Lead HR Business Partner located in Norway
Works closely with: Local Management Team, Finance,  Payroll Providers, company HR team

Role Purpose
We are establishing a standalone HR organization in our global business. We are now seeking a Senior HR Generalist with deep Polish HR expertise to lead and execute the transition and the future development of the HR function in our location in Poland. This role is operational but incl. contribution to the development of HR strategic actions together with the HR team. Important responsibility is to ensure full legal compliance and acting as the primary HR partner for employees and management in Poland. The successful candidate will play a key role in stabilizing the organization post-transaction while laying a strong foundation for future growth.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

1. HR Leadership & Local HR Setup

• Establish and implement local HR policies, procedures, and guidelines aligned with Polish labor law and group HR principles
• Act as the local HR authority for all people-related matters in Poland
• Ensure compliance with Polish labor law, GDPR, and internal governance requirements
• Support leadership in building a strong, professional, and compliant HR and company culture

 

2. Divestment / Carve-Out Support

• Actively support and execute HR activities related to divestment / carve-out processes
• Manage employee transfers, contract changes, and local legal requirements
• Cooperate with legal advisors and group HR during transitional phases
• Ensure clear communication and employee trust during organizational change

 

3. Payroll, Benefits & Vendor Coordination

• Coordinate monthly payroll with an external third-party payroll provider
• Ensure payroll accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery
• Manage and continuously improve benefits programs, including:
• Insurance plans
• Pension schemes (PPK and other applicable programs)
• Act as the main contact toward external HR vendors and advisors

 

4. Employee Lifecycle Management
    Oversee the full employee lifecycle

 

• Hiring & onboarding
• Employment contracts and amendments
• Performance management support
• Employee relations and exits
• Handle employee relations cases with professionalism and discretion
• Support managers in people leadership and HR best practices

 

5. HR Administration & Reporting

 

• Maintain accurate HR documentation and personnel records
• Support audits and internal/external reporting requirements
• Provide HR data and insights to group HR and local management

 

Required Experience & Qualifications

Must-Have Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on HR experience in Poland
• Strong, proven expertise in Polish labor law and HR practices
• Direct experience with divestment and/or carve-out processes
• Proven experience in establishing new local HR processes and frameworks
• Experience coordinating payroll with external providers
• Solid experience managing insurance and pension schemes
• Fluent in Polish and English (spoken and written)

 

Preferred Background

• Experience from engineering, industrial, or technical environments
• International fast-changing organizations
• Comfortable working in lean, non-bureaucratic environments

 

Personal Profile

• Highly independent, flexible and self-driven
• Structured, detail-oriented, and reliable
• Strong communicator with high integrity
• Pragmatic, solution-oriented, and calm under pressure
• Trusted advisor to management and employees alike

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