People & Culture Generalist (m/f/d)

METYCLE - where innovation meets sustainability

We are building the B2B online platform to accelerate the global circular flow of secondary metals. By connecting buyers and sellers of scrap metal globally, we are enabling efficient trade of secondary metals and are driving the seamless flow of recycling material, essential for reducing CO2 emissions by up to 95% compared to primary metal production. 

And we take it further We are pioneering an innovative Smart Sorting Facility that leverages AI, machine learning, and robotics to transform how scrap metal is processed, enhance material quality, improve traceability, and drive the recycling industry into the digital era. 

Join us at the early stage in bringing the $610 billion scrap metal trading industry into the 21st century and in shaping the future of metal recycling and green energy solutions.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Business Administration, or a related field
• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in People & Culture generalist/operations roles, ideally in fast-growing companies or startups
• Strong knowledge of German labor law (and ideally international labor regulations), HR administration, and employee lifecycle management
• Solid experience with HRIS systems (ideally Personio) and familiarity with setting up or scaling HR tools
• Initial experience contributing to employer branding, facilitating workshops, or supporting professional development programs
• Trusted point of contact for employees and managers, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Highly organized, structured, proactive, and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple processes simultaneously
• Flexible, analytical, and solution-oriented mindset, thriving in taking ownership and delivering results
• Empathetic, service- and people-oriented, collaborative, and able to build strong relationships across teams
• Positive, can-do attitude with a hands-on approach, thriving in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Fluent in German and English (both written and spoken)
• Based in Cologne with a valid work permit for Germany

• You will have the opportunity to challenge the status quo and work on an innovative venture with a significant impact
• You will be able to take ownership and shape the future of metal recycling and green energy solutions at an early stage
• We offer a competitive salary including virtual company shares
• We offer an environment with flat hierarchies and a steep learning curve with exciting growth opportunities
• You will benefit from flexible working hours and the opportunity to work remotely or from a shared office location
• We promote an inclusive, diverse and supportive work environment

Discover more about METYCLE:About us | LinkedIn 
We look forward to receiving your application. Irene Prinz is happy to answer any questions you may have:

If you are passionate about people, culture, and creating exceptional employee experiences, join our team as People & Culture Generalist Be part of our international team and play a pivotal role in shaping innovative solutions for trading scrap metal and building a greener future.

In this role, you'll take ownership of the full employee lifecycle, support HR compliance and administration, and drive initiatives that strengthen team engagement and culture. Your work will directly impact how our people grow, connect, and thrive across the organization.

• End-to-end People Operations: Take ownership of the full employee lifecycle - from onboarding and internal transitions to offboarding - across our teams and geographies.
• HR Administration & Compliance: Prepare, review, and manage contracts, amendments, reference letters, and other HR documents, ensuring alignment with German labor law and internal policies.
• HRIS & Data Management: Maintain accurate employee data in our HRIS (Personio) and collaborate with external payroll, tax advisors, and EOR service providers.
• Recruitment Support: Coordinate the recruiting process, including job postings, interview scheduling, candidate experience, and employer branding initiatives
• Culture & Engagement: Act as a culture ambassador, driving initiatives that strengthen engagement, recognition, and overall employee well-being. Organize team events, workshops, offsites, and other activities that bring our company values to life.
• Learning & Development: Support the design and execution of workshops, training programs, and professional development frameworks to enable growth across the organization.
• HR Projects & Process Improvement: Contribute to People & Culture projects such as process optimization, policy documentation, DEI initiatives, and other strategic HR programs.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with leadership and teams to implement HR best practices, scalable processes, and ensure a consistent and positive employee experience.