Breitling Human Resources Business Partner

About Breitling

Founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling, Breitling is a Swiss watchmaker renowned for its precision chronographs and enduring ties to aviation. Headquartered in Grenchen, the brand combines a distinctive technical heritage with a contemporary approach to luxury, design and responsible business. As an employer, Breitling offers a professional environment spanning watchmaking, engineering, product development, marketing and international retail. Its global presence connects specialist expertise with diverse markets, while its identity remains rooted in Swiss craftsmanship and innovation. For professionals drawn to both mechanical excellence and brand transformation, Breitling represents an opportunity to contribute to the continuing evolution of an established watchmaking house.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead the full recruitment process, particularly for retail and other business-critical roles, including agency partnerships, direct sourcing, employee referrals, job boards, candidate screening, interviews and recommendations on offer terms.
• Support organizational and workforce planning with the Finance Director, Management Team, department heads and boutique managers, including organizational design, team structures, staffing plans and other significant people matters.
• Advise management on people and talent matters by contributing to leadership discussions and providing recommendations on talent, performance, promotions, succession planning and organizational matters; exercise independent judgment within delegated authority.
• Drive talent development and succession planning, including identifying and developing future leadership candidates.
• Coordinate performance and compensation processes with Finance and business leaders, including performance management, OKRs, MBOs, promotions and salary reviews.
• Support job description and title alignment, preparation of the grading system, and the people data needed for organizational and compensation decisions.
• Serve as a point of contact for employees and managers on people matters, supporting labor relations, company culture and employee engagement initiatives, and escalating complex cases as needed.
• Support new-hire retention and probationary-period follow-up from a people perspective in partnership with hiring managers; onboarding and offboarding administration remains with Finance.
• Support employer branding, careers-site content and other initiatives that strengthen the company’s recruitment competitiveness.
• Identify learning and development needs with business leaders and coordinate local, regional and global training initiatives.
• Address HR policy and compliance matters with Finance and external advisers as needed, and manage People & Talent progress, schedules and KPIs.
• Manage work priorities and schedule with considerable discretion and autonomy, guided by business needs and company policy.
• Payroll processing, time and attendance calculations, social insurance procedures, and responses to employee payroll inquiries are outside the role’s primary scope.
• Routine HR administration, onboarding and offboarding procedures, HRIS administration and management of Chutaikyo are outside the role’s primary scope.
• Management and operation of core HR operations remain with Finance.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in HR, Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partnering, People Operations, Retail HR or another HR-related function.
• Hands-on recruitment experience; experience in retail, luxury, hospitality, consumer goods or other service industries is preferred.
• Experience working directly with executives, department heads, store managers or similar stakeholders on HR and organizational matters.
• Business-level or higher Japanese and English communication skills across reading, writing and speaking.
• Practical judgment, ownership, reliable execution and strong communication skills.
• A proactive, hands-on and flexible approach, with the ability to drive work independently and solve problems.
• Ability to assess candidates’ capabilities, cultural fit, motivation and potential.
• A university degree is preferred but not required; practical experience, business judgment and execution are prioritized over formal qualifications.

Skills

Experience

At least 5 years in HR, Talent Acquisition, HR Business Partnering, People Operations, Retail HR or another HR-related function; hands-on recruitment and direct stakeholder partnership experience are also required.

Education

A university degree is preferred but not required.

Culture

Breitling’s workplace culture draws on its Swiss watchmaking heritage and close ties to aviation, placing precision, technical expertise and a pioneering spirit at the heart of its professional environment. The brand brings together craftsmanship and contemporary design, offering a distinctive setting for professionals who value both tradition and innovation in luxury watchmaking.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.