People Director - Algeria KNAUF ALGERIA- SARL KNAUF Siège social et usine

People Director - Algeria

We are a global manufacturer of construction materials and within our Group, our 43,000 team members in 90 countries across 300 sites provide a huge opportunity for anyone with ambition and energy. We value everyone's contribution equally and we ask that you bring your whole self to work, to enrich the business further, as together we achieve more in a safe and inclusive environment.

Knauf Group has a 94-year heritage in gypsum and plasterboard manufacturing and have big plans for the future. Our global reach in 90 countries continues to grow and we are looking for passionate, ambitious people to help us achieve our goals. We are all led by the same core values and believe in the powerful potential of large companies to have a positive impact on the world. Knauf Algeria is proud to be part of the Knauf Group. Knauf Algeria has operated in the country since 1974 to serve Algeria's fast-growing construction market. Knauf Algeria is a key market within the Group, with a strong and growing presence across plaster, plasterboard and profile production.

We are now looking for an experienced and inspiring People Director to join Knauf Algeria and lead the implementation of the country people agenda in line with the global capabilities roadmap and regional strategy.

Do you treat your colleagues with respect? Do you always have the customer in mind? Do you act with future generations in mind? Do you like to seek out opportunities to grow and develop? Do you have a proven track record of delivering results?

What you'll be doing: Role and Scope:

Reporting to the General Manager of Knauf Algeria and with a functional reporting line to Regional Chief People Officer, you will serve as the HR voice in-country, translating Knauf META's people strategy into local action while ensuring full compliance with Algerian labor legislation.

Key Responsibilities: Strategic HR Business Partnership

• Act as a business partner, advisor and coach to the General Manager and country leadership team on all people-related matters.
• Co create and implement Knauf Algeria's annual People Roadmap, aligned with the Knauf META People Strategy and regional objectives.
• Drive organizational effectiveness - identifying capability gaps, proposing structural solutions, and supporting the GM in building a high-performance culture.
• Lead and embed Knauf's core values, behaviors, ambitions and leadership standards across all layers of the organization.

Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding

• Execute a country talent acquisition strategy that attracts top-tier candidates for critical functions - from manufacturing and operations to sales, finance, and engineering.
• Partner with Regional People Team to leverage TA tools, employer branding assets, and assessment frameworks.
• Build Knauf Algerie's employer brand in the Algerian market within the light of Knauf EVP- through university partnerships, LinkedIn presence, careers fairs etc.
• Ensure onboarding program that accelerate time-to-contribution and reinforce cultural alignment from day one.
• Monitor TA metrics and develop a country-based approach to improve them.

Talent Development & Succession Planning

• Lead the Performance Management and Talent Review cycles for Knauf Algeria, ensuring meaningful calibration conversations and differentiated individual development plans.
• Identify and develop a robust pipeline of high-potential talent for critical roles, managing succession planning for key positions.
• Implement learning & development programmes - from technical skills training on the plant floor to leadership development for managers - in partnership with Knauf's learning and development strategy.
• Champion mobility and development opportunities that connect Algerian talent with the broader Knauf family.

People Operations & Compliance

• Ensure full legal compliance with Algerian Labor Law, social security legislation, collective agreements, and work-permit requirements for expatriate employees.
• Champion and embed the Knauf Code of Conduct across all levels of Knauf Algeria - ensuring that every employee understands and upholds the Group's ethical standards, anti-corruption principles and responsible business practices.
• Oversee payroll administration, benefits management, and compensation benchmarking, working with Finance and Regional People Team within Knauf's total rewards philosophy.
• Manage employee relations professionally and proactively - including disciplinary processes, grievances, works council or union engagement, and individual case management.
• Implement and maintain HR information systems (HRIS), ensuring data accuracy, reporting capability, and compliance with data protection regulations.
• Develop, update, and communicate HR policies and employee handbooks, balancing Knauf standards with local legal requirements.

Culture, Engagement & Wellbeing

• Lead Health, Safety & Wellbeing people agenda in collaboration with HSE and operational leads to ensure our people go home safe and healthy every day.
• In line with the global and regional strategy, Design and execute Knauf Algerie's Employee Engagement plans - leveraging engagement survey, focus groups, and local initiatives to continuously improve the employee experience.
• Champion Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) - embedding inclusive hiring practices, supporting gender balance initiatives, and fostering a culture of psychological safety and belonging.
• Recognize and celebrate high performance, long service, and cultural contribution through regional and country recognition programmes.

Team Leadership & HR Function Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the People team in Knauf Algeria - building individual capability and elevating the function's reputation as a credible, strategic partner to the business.
• Establish clear team KPIs, workplans, and a culture of delivery excellence and continuous improvement within the People department.
• Represent Knauf Algeria in META Country Leadership forums, contributing to regional people meetings and sharing best practices across the country.
• Manage the country HR budget with financial rigor, making evidence based investment decisions and delivering measurable return on people spend.

What we'd love for you to have:

We are interested in you as a person: your attitude, behaviors and values. As long as you have the willingness to learn anything you need for the role that you don't already have, we'd love to speak to you. If you have experience in the following areas, this is an added advantage:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Law, or related field
• Professional HR certification (e.g., CIPD, SHRM) is highly preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 3 years in a senior HRBP or HR Director role
• Experience in success partnering at country leadership level and leading multi site teams and transformation.
• Prior experience managing a team of HR professionals
• Experience with HRIS platforms (SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement people practices
• HR experience in a multinational company with exposure to global and regional HR frameworks and processes.
• Experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or construction sector environment

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong strategic HR leadership capability
• Excellent business acumen and commercial understanding
• Proven ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills
• Deep knowledge of talent management and organizational development
• Strong employee relations and conflict resolution skills
• Sound understanding of compensation, benefits, and reward principles
• Solid knowledge of local employment law and HR compliance
• Strong change management and transformation capability
• Data driven mindset with ability to use HR analytics effectively
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills
• High level of integrity, judgment, and professionalism

Knauf Leadership Competencies

• Deliver Results
• Empower Change
• Build Collaboration
• Drive Engagement
• Shape Direction

Language

Fluency in Arabic and French (written and spoken); professional English proficiency required.

Travel

Willingness to travel across Algeria (site visits) and occasionally within the region/globally.