About this role

Our client is a leading international food company with a strong global presence. To strengthen our footprint in Europe, they have established a dedicated R&D branch focused on driving innovation and new product development across multiple markets, including Europe and North America. Their flagship product line has captivated consumers worldwide, making our brand a household name for food lovers seeking bold, memorable flavors.

Job Overview

The (Senior) Business Support Specialist is responsible for providing comprehensive operational support across finance, accounting, HR, general administration, IT coordination, and office management.

This position ensures accurate local expense closing, journal entry preparation, documentation management, and support for statutory audit requirements, while collaborating closely with the corporate finance team at headquarters. In addition, the role supports day-to-day HR administration, vendor management, contract coordination, and overall office operations to enable the R&D organization to function efficiently and in compliance with internal policies and local regulations. Acting as a key liaison between the local office and headquarters, this position plays a critical role in maintaining operational stability and governance.

Key Responsibilities

Establish and support local finance processes, covering accounting activities, closing and reporting, and statutory tax matters, in coordination with headquarters finance and treasury
Administer HR operations, including onboarding and offboarding, employment contracts, personnel records, leave management, and employee benefits
Handle recruitment processes and coordinate with headquarters and hiring managers as needed
Manage monthly payroll processing with an external partner
Ensure compliance with local labor law and internal HR policies
Oversee office management and vendor relationships
Carry out monthly closing and reporting to headquarters
Serve as the primary local contact point for headquarters functions
Maintain proper documentation and provide support for audits and internal controls
Monitor operational expenses and support annual budgeting and cost control activities
Participate in process improvement initiatives and ad-hoc finance or systems projects
Provide administrative and operational support to R&D Centre staff as needed