New People & Culture Business Partner Lead at Roche

Roche is making its HR function more agile, innovative and customer-focused globally. Shortly after the transition to a new operating model called People & Culture, the company's Budapest service center has appointed a new HR manager: Kristóf Zács, with extensive experience in international HR, including the launch of new business services.

Kristóf Zács previously led change management in the establishment of regional business service centers (SSCs) in Africa and Asia before becoming Head of HR at one of the world's leading premium beverage manufacturers and distributors.

"Kristóf joins us at the perfect time: the comprehensive overhaul of Roche's HR structure has seen our center take on even more complex, higher value-added responsibilities," said Martin Kikstein, Managing Director of the Budapest office, referring to the 150 new complex HR positions added this year. He added that this was partly due to their continuing move away from the typical SSC (Shared Service Center) structure and increasingly towards a GBS (Global Business Services) type of operation.

As part of the ongoing change, the Swiss pharmaceutical group's HR organization is being transformed into a global P&C department, making the group's operations more agile, innovative and customer-focused. "Roche is definitely at the forefront of a comprehensive transformation of the HR function and I am very happy to be part of this forward-looking process," said Kristóf Zács.

He added that colleagues will be given the time and resources to focus on the tasks with the greatest added value, making a real, tangible difference to their partners – and ultimately to patients. "The challenge ahead is to continue to be a key strategic partner in Roche's global organization," said the new HR leader whose responsibilities include supporting the implementation of the transformation and aligning the Budapest office with the international P&C transformation strategy.