German-speaking HR Associate with Sick Leave & AI Focus

Ford Central and Eastern European Sales LLC is looking for a German-speaking HR Associate with Sick Leave & AI Focus to join us in our People First Team in our Budapest XIII. Váci Greens office.

This role involves managing sick leave applications for German Employees, including processing sick leave administration into the timekeeping system, communicating with employees, timekeepers and health insurance companies. Their primary goal is to deliver exceptional customer experiences through the HR Contact Center case management technology application ensuring seamless transactional processes based on our operational documentation and service promise.

•    Accurately processing sick leave applications into SAP system in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with German labor laws and regulations regarding sick leave.
•    Understanding the customer’s questions and issues, advising them in a professional way and handling their queries in a timely manner utilizing HR Contact Center procedures, policy manuals, knowledge management system and other reference materials (e.g. German Operating Agreements).
•    Generating reports on sick leave usage and clarifications.
•    Documenting all transactions, customer inquiries and their resolutions in the HR Contact Center case management technology application.
•    Meeting and striving to exceed HR Contact Center Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
•    Increasing HR subject matter knowledge seeking first call resolution, shorten call time and increase data quality.
•    Escalating customer requests in a timely manner when additional research or analysis is necessary.
•    Managing control through the transactions audit process. 
•    Addressing process ambiguity and associated risks proactively.
•    Identifying process gaps and involving responsible teams to find a solution together.
•    Initiating process improvement projects to release capacity for the incoming new processes.
•    Any other duties as required by the line manager.
•    Mastering high-level process understanding of all teams and connections; initiating information flow between teams.

Professional background:
•    Desirable Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Human Resources, Business Administration, or other related fields.
•    0-3 years of customer service experience, data processing or HR experience preferred.

Key abilities:
•    Excellent attention to detail when handling employee data and sick leave records.
•    Strong Understanding and Interpretation of German Labor Laws and Operating Agreements: related to sick leave.
•    Proficiency in HR Systems and Tools: Advanced working knowledge of MS Excel for data management and reporting, and experience with SAP (or similar HR Information Systems) for timekeeping and HR administration.
•    Commitment to delivering a seamless and positive customer experience through case management technology, ensuring efficient and supportive interactions.
•    Demonstrating ability to use AI and digital tools to automate repetitive HR
•    processes including spreadsheet automation, excel automations (macros,
•    formulas), workflow optimization and chatbot development.
•    Understanding of responsible AI usage, data privacy, and information
•    security principles.
•    Experience with and AI-assisted automation.
•    Experience with low-code/no-code platforms such as Microsoft Power Form (Power Automate, Power Apps).
•    Capability to consistently follow established operational documentation and transactional processes, contributing to a high standard of service delivery.
•    Ability to identify unusual calling events or frequent customers issues and work with the HR Contact Center Supervisor to suggest process, procedure and training improvement opportunities.
•    Ability to drive to "first-time through" solutions.
•    Proactivity.
•    Demonstrating positive attitude and effectiveness when facing difficulties.
•    Ability to communicate effective through written and oral communication and consistently deliver high quality customer service in a professional manner
•    Ability to work as a team member in a specialized area with a diverse audience.
•    Ability to remain flexible with staff scheduling changes and time zones.
•    Speaking English and German fluently, supporting the business on a daily basis in both languages. 

Key Characteristics:
•    Dedicated to job
•    Self-driven & independent
•    Analytical, result-oriented structured way of working
•    High accuracy in repetitive tasks & highly detail-oriented
•    Excellent interpersonal skills
•    Precise working method
•    Technology skilled: Excel, SAP, Outlook
•    Human centric mindset
•    Learning ability 
•    Accountability
•    Customer focused (consistent, high quality & professional customer service)

Desirable skills:
•    Knowledge and understanding of various HR processes, focusing on sick leave processes
•    Continuous improvement 
•    Effectiveness (First time through)
•    Negotiation
•    Active Listening 
•    Effective decision making

What we offer: 
•    Being part of a fully supportive, collaborative, and dynamic team
•    Working in an environmentally friendly and well-equipped office in the XIII. district of Budapest
•    Hybrid working model - 4 office days
•    Learning opportunities in the field of HR and possibilities to explore other countries’ HR processes and growing in your career by taking on new projects and tasks and developing within the People First Team®
•    Colorful tasks as you will be involved in all HR processes regarding the German employees
•    Cafeteria – Benefits package
•    As you will join a car sales company you can use your discount for new and used car purchase, and you can have the chance to try even the most recent models during test driving days.

Please note that we currently run background checks as part of our recruitment process pending a successful interview.

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