Senior HR Generalist, South Europe

Industry: Designer toys and collectible pieces

Location: Milan Italy

Job type: Full time Permanent

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

About POP MART

Founded in 2010, POP MART is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture. Through global artist development, IP operations, and designer toy culture evangelism, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire designer toy value chain. Besides our original and iconic IPs such as Molly, Hirono, Skullpanda, and LABUBU, POP MART collaborates with top-tier toys and lifestyle brands including Disney, Universal Studios, and Sanrio to create collectible art toys featuring their iconic characters.

POP MART has established a strong presence across key European markets, including the Italy, UK, France, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands. As part of our strategic growth initiatives, we are focused on expanding our retail network into additional high-potential markets across Europe, continuing to strengthen our brand's position in the region.

For more information, please visit www.popmart.com and our LinkedIn Career page.

What to Expect

POP MART is a fast-paced company with a young and multicultural team where you can expect to:

• Play a pivotal role in establishing and scaling HR operations in South Europe region
• Provide day-to-day HR support to our team in the Italy & Spain and oversee local HR activities
• Collaborate closely with the Europe Regional Office and HQ in Beijing to align HR initiatives
• Influence the design and implementation of scalable HR systems and practices across multiple markets
• Be part of a multicultural, purpose-driven team working to build a global lifestyle brand

Benefits

POP MART offers our employees:

• Selected POP MART toys as appreciation gifts every month
• A structured bonus/commission scheme in line with the company’s and the individual’s performance
• Comprehensive training and development programs
• Regular team social events
• Paid rest breaks

The Role and Candidate

We are seeking an experienced Senior HR Generalist – South Europe, based in Milan, to lead and support the daily HR operations of our Italian and Spanish teams. This role is instrumental in enabling scalable, compliant, and locally relevant people practices across both markets. Reporting to the Europe Regional HR Team and working in close coordination with Beijing HQ, the position serves as a bridge between regional strategy and in-market execution.

Responsibilities

Manage Local HR Operations

• Lead the HR function across Italy and Spain, covering compliance, payroll, and local policy development
• Serve as the main contact point for local authorities, legal counsel, and payroll providers
• Establish scalable HR processes aligned with local labour laws and corporate governance

HR Oversight for Italy & Spain

• Manage day-to-day HR activities for our Italian and Spanish team and provide operational guidance
• Partner with local stakeholders to support employee relations, performance management, and workforce planning
• Coordinate recruitment and onboarding activities to support the market’s continued growth

Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

• Oversee full-cycle recruitment across Italy and Spain
• Cultivate relationships with recruitment agencies, platforms, and job boards
• Develop onboarding programs that reinforce POP MART’s brand and support new employee integration

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Advise on employee relations matters with discretion, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity
• Manage grievance and disciplinary procedures in accordance with local labour laws (Germany and the Netherlands)
• Maintain and update internal HR policies to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements
• Serve as a trusted HR advisor to managers and employees on people-related topics

Cross-Border Coordination & HR Projects

• Ensure local HR practices are aligned with broader Europe and HQ strategies
• Support regional HR initiatives such as performance management frameworks, training programs, and organizational culture-building
• Drive alignment across markets while maintaining sensitivity to local contexts and labour environments

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• At least 5 years of progressive HR experience, including 2+ years in a generalist or standalone role
• In-depth knowledge of Italian employment law; familiarity with Spainisn retail labour regulations is highly desirable
• Demonstrated success managing HR operations, recruitment, and compliance across multiple countries
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work across cultures, functions, and geographies
• Proficient in HR systems and Microsoft Office tools
• Fluency in English and Italian; Spanish or Mandarin is a plus

Desirable but Not Essential

• Experience in retail, consumer brands, or high-growth business environments
• Background in HR setup for new market entry or international expansion
• Previous involvement in cross-border HR projects or matrixed regional teams