HR Business Partner - Japan & South Korea

MAISON POLENE

Founded in 2016, the French leather goods brand Polène stands out for its exceptional artisanal craftsmanship, creating timeless pieces with organic designs directly inspired by nature.

In a context of rapid growth and international expansion, we are structuring our operations in 2025 and surrounding ourselves with top talent to develop deep expertise at every level of our organization. Our distinctly artistic positioning supports the elevation of our handbag and jewelry collections, backed by 800 artisans in our workshops located in Ubrique, Spain.

The story of Polène can be written with you: join us and take part in this journey behind the scenes at our Paris headquarters, already home to more than a hundred people driven by our shared passion for craftsmanship.

As we continue to grow, we are looking for a highly-collaborative and proactive Human Resources Business Partner, who will support our retail stores based in Japan and South Korea, managing the day-to day HR matters and local strategy and initiatives. Reporting to the HQ HR Manager based in Paris, you will be based in our Tokyo office, with a presence in the retail locations. You will be the primary HR contact for our Japanese and South Korean store teams and play a key role in attracting top talent, supporting our existing boutiques as well as in the opening of our future boutiques in the area.

Your responsibilities will be the following :

Talent Acquisition :

• Support the Talent Acquisition team in recruitment processes for office and retail roles, particularly by providing local insights and HR expertise.

• Partner with HQ Talent Acquisition Manager and store leadership to understand hiring needs and identify candidates aligned with our brand values.

• Contribute to the implementation of sourcing to attract diverse and qualified talent.

Onboarding & Retention :

HR Partnership :

• Act as the primary HR point of contact for employees, providing guidance and support on HR policies, procedures, and employee relations.

• Collaborate with managers to foster a positive workplace culture and ensure alignment with company values.

• Address employee concerns and mediate conflicts as needed.

Performance Management :

• Support managers in performance reviews, goal setting, and development plans.

• Provide coaching and feedback to managers on HR-related matters.

Compliance & Reporting :

• Ensure compliance with local labor laws and company policies.

• Maintain accurate HR records and generate reports as needed.

Office Management & Events :

• Oversee day-to-day office management and general services, ensuring a seamless and efficient working environment.

• Plan and execute events and initiatives to foster collaboration, celebrate milestones, and enhance the employee experience.

• You have  at least 7 yers of HR experience in Japan.  Experience in the luxury/high-end retail sector is preferred

• You hold a Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration or other related field

• You understand payroll systems and external provider coordination

• You have a demonstrated knowledge of employment law, employee relations best-practices, presentation skills, and recruiting practices

• You are able to multi-task, work in ambiguity and adapt to competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• You have strong relationship-building skills, as well as analytical and problem-solving skills.

• You are OK with traveling domestically when needed.

• You are fluent in English and Japanese (Korean would be a plus!)

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter outlining their qualifications and relevant experience in english.

Polène is committed to ensuring inclusive recruitment processes and to selecting and promoting each candidate in an ethical and fair manner.