HR Operations Specialist - German Speaking

Coherent is a global leader in photonics, developing advanced laser, optical and materials technologies that enable semiconductor manufacturing, AI infrastructure, advanced communications and precision industrial applications worldwide.

Coherent is a global leader in photonics, developing advanced laser, optical and materials technologies that enable semiconductor manufacturing, AI infrastructure, advanced communications and precision industrial applications worldwide.

As an HR Operations Specialist (German Speaking), you will play a key role in delivering a seamless and positive employee experience across EMEA and North America. Acting as one of the first points of contact for employees and managers, you will provide responsive HR support, resolve queries, process employee lifecycle transactions, and maintain accurate employee records.

Based in Glasgow with a hybrid working arrangement (3 days onsite), you will join a collaborative global HR Shared Services team. Working closely with Payroll, Benefits, HR Systems and specialist HR teams, you will help ensure the delivery of consistent, compliant and high-quality HR services across multiple countries and cultures. This role will also include shift coverage to support our North American operations.

• Serving as a first point of contact for employee and manager HR queries through our case management system.
• Providing guidance on HR policies, benefits, processes and general employee-related questions.
• Taking ownership of cases and ensuring they are resolved accurately and within agreed service levels.
• Escalating complex enquiries to specialist HR teams while ensuring a thorough and effective handover.
• Processing employee lifecycle transactions, including data changes, contract updates and benefits administration.
• Validating employee information to ensure accuracy and minimise payroll, benefits and compliance risks.
• Maintaining accurate, confidential and audit-ready employee records within HR systems.
• Handling sensitive employee information with professionalism, discretion and empathy.
• Partnering with Payroll, Benefits, HR Systems and Centres of Excellence to provide seamless end-to-end support.
• Ensuring compliance with GDPR, local privacy requirements and employment legislation through accurate record keeping and documentation.
• Supporting data cleansing, migration and ongoing data quality activities.
• Following established processes while identifying opportunities to simplify workflows and improve service delivery.
• Monitoring case trends, sharing insights and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assisting with the development and maintenance of HR knowledge articles, guidance and self-service resources.
• Supporting the delivery of standardised HR services across a diverse, international workforce.

• Fluency in both German and English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• At least two years of experience in HR Operations, HR Shared Services, customer service, administration, or a related support function.
• Experience handling confidential and sensitive information with integrity and discretion.
• Previous experience using HR systems such as Workday, Success Factors, Oracle, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with case management, ticketing, or workflow systems.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to resolve queries professionally and efficiently.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to delivering accurate work.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• A proactive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Resilience and adaptability in a…