People & Culture Manager (m/f/d)

About Kaiko Systems

Kaiko Systems is a Berlin-based maritime technology company dedicated to making global shipping safer and smarter. Our AI-powered platform digitizes vessel inspections, compliance, and fleet health, trusted by over 40 customers worldwide. Since 2026, we've joined forces with UniSea, a leading Norwegian maritime software provider, merging startup agility with the strength of an international group.

We are now looking for a People & Culture Manager to be the heartbeat of our Berlin team – someone who will keep our culture strong, our processes running smoothly, and our people growing. You will be the go-to person for all people-related matters, working directly with our founders and leadership team.

Your Tasks

• Own and develop our company culture: orchestrate team events, onboarding experiences, rituals, and initiatives that make Kaiko a place people love working at.
• Conduct regular check-ins with team members across departments, serving as a trusted, approachable point of contact and surfacing feedback to leadership proactively.
• Ensure our performance review cycles are executed smoothly and on time: coordinate the process, support managers with preparation, and track follow-ups.
• Manage day-to-day people operations: handle contracts, onboarding/offboarding, HR documentation, and coordinate with payroll and external providers.
• Keep our Berlin office running efficiently: manage supplies, vendors, equipment, and ensure a workspace people enjoy.
• Support hiring efforts: coordinate interviews, candidate communication, and ensure a great candidate experience.
• Continuously improve our people processes and tools as we grow within the UniSea Group.

Your Requirements

• 2-5 years of experience in People Operations, HR, or a similar generalist role, ideally within a startup or scale-up environment.
• A genuine passion for people: you are empathetic, approachable, and people naturally open up to you.
• Strong organizational skills and reliability: tasks you own get completed on time and without constant reminders.
• Hands-on mentality: you are comfortable switching between strategic culture initiatives and practical administrative tasks within the same day.
• Discretion and sound judgment when handling confidential matters.
• Fluent German and English.
• Based in Berlin or willing to relocate; this is an on-site/hybrid role requiring office presence.

Your Benefits

• A high-impact role with direct access to founders and leadership, where your work shapes the daily experience of over 40 people.
• The stability of an international group (UniSea) combined with the speed and ownership of a startup.
• A diverse, international team of maritime experts, engineers, and commercial talent.
• A central Berlin office located at Münzstraße (Mitte).
• Competitive salary, modern equipment, and ample room to grow the role as the company expands.
• Regular team events, offsites, and a culture that values professionalism without being rigid.

Your Application

We would love to hear from you. Please send us your CV; a cover letter isn't necessary, though a few lines on why this role resonates with you are always appreciated. Our process is designed to be fast and respectful of your time: a short introductory call, an interview with our leadership team, a practical case conversation, and a final chat. You'll receive feedback within a few days at each stage.