IT Program Manager – Human Resources / Technology

Are you a Program Manager with a passion for Technology and Human Resources (HR) – and do you want to play a key role within fast-growing Action? Then we’re looking for you!

Action is a rapidly expanding non-food discounter with more than 3,150 stores across 14 European countries. With this growth comes an increase in the number of colleagues – currently over 80,000 – and naturally, our systems landscape must keep pace. Projects within the HR domain support this expansion by ensuring, among other things, that payroll activities run smoothly in all countries and that recruitment processes – including onboarding and offboarding – are continuously optimised.

Are you ready to join our team? Will you help ensure that our organisation can continue to grow internationally while optimising that growth further?

Your daily ‘actions’

As an IT Program Manager HR, you will be responsible for leading all project staff and external partners, ensuring the successful delivery of the full scope and objectives across both HR and Technology. You will report to the executive management steering committee and work in line with Action best practices for project governance and control.

Given the dynamic nature of Action, it is crucial that you proactively manage risks and seize opportunities to ensure agreed objectives remain on track. You will be part of the team of Project Managers within Technology. Curious about your new manager? Nannet Boonstra is eager to work with you!

In addition to your role as IT Program Manager HR, you will also act as Domain Portfolio Manager (DPM), responsible for setting up, maintaining, and managing the HR–IT project portfolio. This portfolio includes all HR projects and initiatives that require IT changes, across different stages of initiation and execution. In this role, you will be accountable for:

• Aligning an integrated portfolio plan for initiation and execution
• Ensuring timely and efficient decision-making for all portfolio initiatives
• Successful project delivery of all portfolio initiatives
• Managing the overall portfolio budget
• Overseeing the capacity and quality of Project Managers across all portfolio projects
• Continuously improving collaboration and project success between Technology and HR

How we make a difference

If you only know Action from shopping with us, you’ll discover a whole new world when you join our team. Behind the scenes, we work hard to make a positive impact on society and the environment.

Did you know that we sponsor more than 2,000 children growing up in SOS Children’s Villages worldwide? Or that our team reflects the diversity of our customers, with 124 nationalities represented? That we already source 70% of our wooden products and 86% of our cotton sustainably? And that over half of our stores now use only energy-efficient LED lighting?

Yes, that’s also Action. Curious about what other initiatives we support? Join our team and find out for yourself.

Meet your team

Our department creates value through specialised horizontal/functional teams for Business Domains (e.g. Store Operations, Supply Chain or HR), a Development & Operations team managing shared technology services, and a Data Analytics & Business Insights team. We also have supporting teams for Project & Portfolio Management, Architecture, and Security.

More than 700 people work within and for Technology every day, most of them focused on change. To meet our challenges and ambitious growth targets, Action brings together some of the most talented professionals in the field.

Would you like to work on challenging projects in the dynamic retail world using advanced technology? Take Action!

This is you

As an IT Program Manager HR, you are confident, creative, and hands-on. You are service-oriented, proactive, and have a no-nonsense approach. You’re an excellent communicator and collaborator, capable of engaging effectively across various (international) levels within the organisation.

You have a clear vision and know how to implement it. A positive attitude towards change and innovation is essential. Our formula – offering a surprisingly comprehensive range at low prices – also requires an entrepreneurial, critical, and pragmatic mindset, with strong cost awareness.

In addition:

• At least 8–10 years of experience as a Project /Program Manager in complex HR-IT projects
• Familiarity with both traditional (Prince2) and agile (Scrum) methodologies
• Experience in the retail sector is a strong plus
• Excellent command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written
• You work efficiently and effectively, even under pressure or in a developing project environment
• A self-starter, team player, strong motivator, and communicator (English is the working language)
• You excel in stakeholder management and approach challenges with a value-driven mindset
• You maintain high project hygiene standards, are well-organised, and skilled at prioritising business needs

What we offer

Quite a lot, actually! From our dynamic headquarters in the Netherlands, you can make an impact across Europe. With over 3,150 stores in 14 countries, we bring smiles to millions of customers every day – and we’re not stopping there. Our growth ambitions are big – for Action and for you.

Thanks to our expansion, you’ll have opportunities to grow professionally – whether by taking on a new role, contributing to an innovative project, or developing new skills. You’ll have plenty of room to do so within a culture that truly lives our shared values: customer focus, teamwork, simplicity, discipline, cost consciousness, and respect.

You can also count on Action for the following:

• A competitive salary based on a 38-hour working week
• Company car or allowance
• An annual bonus based on business and personal targets
• Participation in a Long-Term Incentive Plan
• 24 days of holiday, with the option to buy five additional days (based on 38 hours per week)
• A temporary contract with the intention to offer a permanent one
• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work up to 40% from home (in consultation with your team and manager)
• 15% staff discount on your own purchases at Action
• A good pension scheme, collective health insurance, and travel allowance (from Amsterdam, you can reach Zwaagdijk-Oost within 30 minutes by car – traffic-free!)

Interested?

We are proud to be an inclusive employer. If you recognise yourself in this vacancy, we warmly invite you to apply. So take Action now and respond to this vacancy!

What to expect next:

1. You’ll receive a response to your application as soon as possible
2. First interview (Teams) with the Senior Tech Recruiter
3. Second interview with the Hiring Manager at our headquarters
4. Online assessment & team interview
5. Welcome to Action…