Tatjana Schmidt

HR Director | Global HR Business Partner | Organizational Transformation | Restructuring | Talent Strategy | Automotive

Cologne Bonn Region

About

Global HR Director with 25+ years of experience in international automotive and engineering environments. I partner with senior leadership to drive organizational transformation, workforce optimization and talent strategies in complex, global matrix organizations. My focus is on aligning people strategy with business priorities, enabling sustainable growth and effective execution. Throughout my career, I have led large-scale restructuring initiatives, supported international expansion projects and built strong HR governance frameworks across EMEA and global functions. I bring deep expertise in German labor law and extensive experience in working with works councils in complex environments. Key areas of expertise include: • Organizational Design & Transformation • Workforce Planning & Restructuring • Talent Management & Succession Planning • Employee Relations & Works Council Negotiations • Leadership Coaching & Development I am known for pragmatic decision-making, strong stakeholder management and a collaborative leadership style, particularly in dynamic and changing environments. Always open to connecting with professionals in HR leadership, transformation and international business environments.

Experience

  • HR Director/Global HR Business Partner & Business Coach at Versigent
    Apr 2026 - Present · 3 mos

    Versigent is a global leader in the purposeful design, quality manufacturing and reliable delivery of advanced low- and high-voltage electrical architectures. Building on a 100-year legacy of innovation and trusted partnerships, our critical solutions deliver intelligent, optimized power distribution capabilities across growing industries including automotive, energy storage, aerospace and robotics. With engineering centers on four continents and manufacturing operations in more than 30 countries, Versigent’s 130,000 employees combine global scale with regional responsiveness to meet the evolving needs of customers around the world.

  • Aptiv (26 yrs 9 mos)
    • HR Director Global functions/ Global HR Business Partner
      Nov 2019 - Present · 6 yrs 8 mos

      • Leading restructuring and workforce optimization initiatives across multiple locations • Driving workforce planning and organizational effectiveness in a global matrix environment • Strengthening talent management and succession planning for critical roles • Partnering with senior leadership on transformation and change initiatives • Enhancing HR governance and cross-regional collaboration across Europe

    • Global HR Manager, Connection Systems
      Nov 2018 - Nov 2019 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • HR Manager
      Oct 1999 - Oct 2018 · 19 yrs 1 mo

      Progressive HR leadership roles across global and regional functions. • Managed HR for business units up to $2.9B revenue and 4,500+ employees • Led large-scale recruitment initiatives (200+ hires) • Executed restructuring and international footprint projects (e.g. India, Macedonia) • Negotiated workforce agreements with works councils in Germany • Implemented talent management, leadership development and HR governance frameworks

  • Personalreferent at UTAutomotive/Lear Corporation
    Nov 1996 - Sep 1999 · 2 yrs 11 mos