Smahane Chaaba

Senior HR leader with extensive experience building and scaling HR functions in fast high-growth, international environments.

Combines

Strategic vision with hands-on execution, having defined and delivered Global HR strategies from the ground up in complex greenfield and entrepreneurial contexts. Highly autonomous, culturally agile, and experienced in leading Organizational change, enabling rapid growth through strong governance, talent strategy, and an inclusive, high-performance culture.

Head of HR HQ and Global HRBP - SGS - Geneva/Zug, CH

(2025-01)

Directed HR operations for approximately 400 employees in Switzerland and collaborated with leaders and HR team across Europe and North America.

• Led and developed team of 9 HR professionals, ensuring consistent HR service delivery and operational excellence across Hire-to-Retire lifecycle, including payroll coordination, employee administration and HR operations.
• Designed and implemented HR process simplification initiatives, leveraging digital and AI-enabled solutions to enhance employee experience and strengthen HR service delivery.
• Lead the relocation of corporate headquarters from Geneva to Zug, ensuring business continuity and employee support throughout the transition.
• Served as trusted HR advisor and coach to senior leaders on employee relations, workforce planning, performance management and organizational effectiveness.
• Manage complex employee relations cases, providing guidance on performance issues, disciplinary processes and employment risks.
• Collaborated with legal counsel on critical litigation cases, employment disputes and complex employee relations matters.
• Partner with global Centres of Excellence to implement HR processes, systems and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Deliver HR reporting, metrics and workforce analytics to support data-driven management decisions.

Head HR Europe/US - LEM - Geneva Lyon CH/FR

(2019-01 - 2024-12)

Built and scaled a regional HR organization and end-to-end People Operations function from the ground up.

• Hired, developed and led local HR teams across five countries: France, Switzerland, Germany, US, Spain.
• Acted as a trusted Strategic business partner to Leaders, translating business strategy into actionable, scalable HR plans that support Growth and Performance.
• Drove Organizational effectiveness by supporting Operating model implementation and optimizing Organizational Design - Restructuring
• Co-designed end-to-end Hire-to-Retire processes with HR COEs, enhancing HR operational excellence across EU and US; led HR audit preparation.
• Championed Change Management initiatives, including the design and facilitation of leadership development programs

Sr HRBP EU - ALTRAD - Lyon, Fr

(2016-01 - 2019-12)

Full HR scope for the O&G, Nuclear and Marine infrastructure services.

• Served as primary contact for employee relations, managing discipline and leading HR campaigns in several locations
• Advised on processes and policies ensuring compliance with local regulations across Europe, addressing business challenges such as health and safety, high turnover, and recruitment difficulties.
• Establishing and maintaining constructive relationships with cross functional stakeholders.
• Led restructuring and mass redundancy plan, reducing headcount by 250 in France.
• Monitor of performance (appraisal, salary reviews).
• Enhanced operational efficiency through continuous improvement initiatives.

Senior HR Business Partner - Amazon - Rabat, MA

(2014-01 - 2015-12)

Partnered with local leadership to translate business strategy into actionable workforce, talent, and organizational plans for up to 1,000 FTE.

• Advised leadership on HR implications of business decisions and organizational changes.
• Reorganized HR function, hiring and developing 4 HR professionals to enhance team effectiveness.
• Designed flexible working models and coaching programs to support performance initiatives in fast-scaling environment.
• Executed high-volume recruitment strategies during peak hiring periods, managing recruitment of 100 candidates per week.

Head of HR France - Grand Circle Corporation - Lyon, Fr

(2010-01 - 2014-12)

Full HR leadership and operations for the French entity of a Global Cruise and travel operator.

• Built and managed HR operations, payroll, and compliance aligned with European and cruise industry regulations.
• Oversaw recruitment, onboarding, and talent development for seasonal workers under transnational posting scheme, aligning with operational needs of cruise and travel sector.
• Facilitated seasonal training programs on ships to ensure crew readiness and compliance with industry standards.
• Partnered with leaders to implement policies, performance management systems, diversity initiatives, and facilitate intra-group mobility.

HR Manager - ED&F Man - Paris, Fr

(2003-01 - 2009-12)

Built HR & Facilities function from scratch for France, Spain and Malaysia (150 FTE).

• Hired 4 HR & Facilities professionals across France, Malaysia, and Spain to establish regional HR capabilities.
• Developed HR processes, compensation frameworks, performance management systems, and international mobility programs to support organizational growth.
• Coordinated expatriation, recruitment, and international graduate programs to enhance talent acquisition and development.
• Led reorganization to transfer of the Rubber/Latex activities to Singapore => Restructuring and BU closing in France

Master - labor law - Université Lyon 3

Microsoft Agentic AI - the Circle Zurich

Sr Leadership program - CCL

Kaizen facilitator program for Operational excellence - Kaizen Institute

Payroll Management CH - HR Campus Geneva

Payroll Management, FR - CEGOS - Paris