Health and Wellbeing Manager

As Health & Wellbeing Manager, you will play a key role in promoting and safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our Associates. This is a pivotal role within the Belgium/Netherlands Health & Wellbeing team, combining broad responsibility for employee wellbeing with a strong focus on absence and case management, in line with Dutch legislation on reintegration and absence-related projects. You will ensure legal compliance, maximize attendance, and embed the company’s Health & Wellbeing objectives across the organization.

Central to this role is managing absence and reintegration processes, ensuring adherence to Dutch legislation, particularly the Wet Verbetering Poortwachter. You will collaborate closely with key stakeholders—including P&O, Leadership Teams, Line Managers, and third-party providers—and act as the primary advisor and point of contact on all matters related to absence management, reintegration, and sustainable employability.

What are we looking for?

• High Education (HBO or equivalent).
• Knowledge of Dutch labor law.
• Extensive knowledge of Dutch absence legislation (Wet Verbetering Poortwachter, WIA, Ziektewet) and regulations in the field of occupational absenteeism, disability, and reintegration.
• Experience as a case manager in the area of absenteeism and reintegration support.
• Minimum of 3-5 years experience in an industrial/production/manufacturing environment (including shift workers).
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work demands in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Computer proficiency: MS Office, absence management systems (e.g. XpertSuite).
• Proficiency in Dutch and English - both written and spoken.

What will be your key responsibilities?

Health and Case Management

• Lead and coordinate the full absence-management process in line with the Wet Verbetering Poortwachter, ensuring case timelines and process adherence: timely problem analysis, reintegration planning, follow-up and structured return-to-work or alternative work arrangements that support long-term employability. Steer case management for both work-related and non-work-related illness or injury, ensuring smooth collaboration with the company doctor/arbodienst and other stakeholders to enable sustainable reintegration.
• Identify risks and bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement within absence and reintegration workflows. Act as the expert for complex or long-term cases, provide sparring and escalation support for colleagues, and contribute to peer-learning and onboarding to build organizational capability in sustainable absence and case management.
• Support Associates throughout the reintegration journey, ensuring all parties remain informed, aligned and engaged in finding sustainable and realistic return-to-work solutions.
• Facilitate case conferences to review Associate health, absence status and reintegration progress, translating outcomes into clear action plans that contribute to lasting employability.
• Provide Line Managers with practical guidance, tools and coaching to strengthen preventive absence conversations, early intervention and a focus on long-term employability.
• Advise Line Managers and stakeholders on individual case strategies, legal obligations, reintegration requirements and conflict-sensitive situations to ensure compliant, balanced, and sustainable decisions.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams and external partners to streamline cooperation and ensure consistent case management practices that enhance employability across the organization.
• Lead absence-related improvement projects, including designing, implementing, and maintaining a legally compliant absence protocol that supports sustainable reintegration outcomes.

Data & Insights

• Identify patterns or trends in absence data, analyze root causes and advise on corrective and preventive interventions.
• Collect, analyze and interpret key health and absence metrics to track trends, assess risks and guide interventions.
• Develop KPIs and reporting processes for absence, reintegration and wellbeing outcomes, ensuring data-driven decision making.
• Use insights to drive continuous improvement in absence management and preventive health programs.
• Provide targeted recommendations to management, P&O and key stakeholders.

Wellbeing

• Advise Leadership Teams, P&O and Line Managers on strategic Health and Wellbeing goals and absence prevention.
• Deliver the global Associate Health & Wellbeing strategy locally and embed Be Well Together to all Associates.
• Promote and raise awareness of the available resources that support mental health, energy, and resilience.
• Measure engagement and impact and adjust interventions as needed.
• Promote a culture where Associate Health & Wellbeing is embedded in daily business practices.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.