Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role, HR Manager Italy.
The Company
Founded in 1994 by Daniele Feletto and headquartered in Ormelle (Treviso), Vetroelite is a specialized company in the world of high-end glass bottles. It operates three sites in Italy: Milan, Barletta (home to Vetroelite Packaging, dedicated exclusively to decoration), and Treviso, and has a strong international presence with sales teams across Europe, including the UK, France, and Spain.
With a team of about 140 employees, Vetroelite’s mission is to provide custom-designed glass bottles and complete packaging solutions—including bottles, closures, and decoration—for sectors such as spirits, food & beverage, and home fragrances. The company partners with leading European suppliers and focuses on design, consulting, and sales to deliver tailor-made solutions that reflect each brand’s identity.
Driven by a passion for glass and decades of expertise, Vetroelite is more than a packaging supplier: it is a creative partner that transforms ideas into distinctive, high-end packaging. From concept to completion, Vetroelite offers 360° solutions, making it the ideal choice for brands seeking unique, personalized designs.
In 2021, Vetroelite joined TricorBraun, a leading U.S. packaging solutions company that brings together 52 businesses worldwide. In Europe, TricorBraun operates through six companies with teams in the UK, Germany, and Italy. Among these, Vetroelite stands out as the only company within the group specializing in premium glass bottles and packaging.
Key Pointers
* Vetroelite - part of Tricorbraun group - is a specialized company in the world of high-end glass bottles, founded in 1994.
* It operates three sites in Italy: Milan, Barletta, and Treviso, and has a strong international presence with sales teams across Europe.
* The company includes three entities: Vetroelite Srl, Vetroelite UK, and Vetroelite Packaging (based in Barletta and dedicated exclusively to decoration).
* It employs around 140 people.
* In 2021, Vetroelite joined TricorBraun, a leading U.S. packaging solutions company that brings together 52 businesses worldwide, including 6 in Europe. ico
* Annual turnover in Italy: approximately €50 million.
* The company is currently undergoing a CEO transition (from the founder & current CEO to his son Nicola Feletto)
Purpose of the Position
The HR Manager will serve as a strategic partner to business leaders, driving growth through proactive people strategies, operational excellence, and leadership development.
This role ensures compliance with local laws and regulations, collaborates closely with senior management, anticipates workforce needs, fosters a culture of engagement and inclusion, and supports the integration of mergers and acquisitions.
Balancing operational HR excellence with a strong focus on coaching and partnership, the HR Manager plays a key role in enabling business growth.
The position will coordinate 1–2 team members and report to both the European HR Director (direct line) and the local business leader (CEO of Vetroelite – dotted line).
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Partnership and Coaching
* Build strong, consultative relationships with business leaders, understanding their strategic priorities and challenges
* Coach leaders through transition periods, supporting communication, team integration, and retention of key talent.
* Provide expert guidance on organizational design, workforce planning, and talent strategies aligned with business goals.
Change Management & Transformation
* Lead HR support for business transformation initiatives, design and implement change management programs, ensuring leaders are equipped to drive and sustain change.
Mergers & Acquisitions
* Provide HR advice in case of due diligence, integration planning, and post-merger cultural alignment.
Operational Excellence
* Accountable for Employee Relationships, labour and contract topics
* Liaise with external consultants on matters relating to: employment law, health and safety, and occupational medicine both for Italian and for foreign branches
* Ensure HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks are harmonized and compliant with local regulations (as CCNL, French Code du Travail).
* Oversee core HR processes: onboarding, offboarding, payroll, compliance, and employee relations.
* Maintain accurate personnel files, HR databases, and prepare HR reports for regional leadership.
* Support employee development programs, annual reviews, and career progression discussions.
Culture & Engagement Champion
* Championships in a culture of engagement, inclusion, and continuous improvement, acting as a role model and influencer across the region based on TricorBraun Operational Principles
* Cascade and embed TricorBraun Operational Principles in the team
* Lead initiatives to measure and improve employee engagement, partnering with leaders to address Employee survey and feedback and improvement action.
* Organize regional engagement activities, training, and corporate events
Recruiting and Talent Management
* Oversee the full recruitment lifecycle for the region, ensuring compliance with local regulations and exceptional candidate experience.
* Partner with leaders to identify and address people-related risks and opportunities that impact business performance.
* Advice on succession planning, high-potential talent identification, and strategic workforce moves.
Collaborate actively with the HR Europe team
* Share best practices, coordinate on cross-border HR initiatives, and contribute to regional projects and harmonization efforts.
* Ensure alignment on policies, processes, and talent strategies to support business goals across all European locations.
Year One Critical Success Factors & Challenges
Expectations within the first 12 months:
* Gain a deep understanding of the nuances between the different companies and countries within the group.
* Ensure full compliance with local regulations across all countries.
Challenges:
* Support the CEO succession process and establish yourself as a trusted business partner for the new CEO.
* Implement and strengthen the HR culture at the Barletta site (Vetroelite Packaging).
The Candidate
Experience and Professional Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master’s degree in HR or Management is a plus
* Minimum 5 years of experience as an HR Manager in Italy, with exposure to managing employees in international contexts
* In-depth knowledge of Italian labor legislation, CCNL, GDPR, HR administration, and compliance; familiarity with the French Code du Travail is a plus
* Proven experience in change management and CEO succession ▪ M&A experience is an advantage
* Professional fluency in Italian and English, both written and spoken; French is a plus
* Strong proficiency in MS Office and knowledge of HRIS tools such as Workday or similar
* Demonstrated multicultural and international exposure Availability to travel to Barletta and Milan once a month is required.
Skills and Competencies
* Hands-on approach
* Advanced coaching, influencing, and partnership skills when working with senior leaders
* Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and time management abilities
* High level of accuracy, attention to detail, and confidentiality, combined with a proactive and business oriented mindset
* Strategic thinking, digital literacy, and ability to make data-driven decisions
SE: 510774675