People & Culture Manager (m/f/d)

Kaiko Systems is a Berlin-based maritime technology company making global shipping safer and smarter. Our AI-powered platform helps shipping companies digitalize vessel inspections, compliance, and fleet health, and is trusted by 40+ customers worldwide. In 2026 we joined forces with UniSea, a leading Norwegian maritime software provider, combining startup pace 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 keeps our culture strong, our processes running, and our people growing. You will be the go-to person for everything people-related, working directly with the founders and leadership team.

TASKS

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

REQUIREMENTS

• 2-5 years of experience in People Operations, HR, or a similar generalist role, ideally in a startup or scale-up environment
• Genuine interest in people: you are empathetic, approachable, and people naturally open up to you
• Strong organizational skills and reliability: things you own get done, on time, without reminders
• Hands-on mentality: you are comfortable switching between strategic culture work and practical admin tasks in the same day
• Discretion and good judgment when handling confidential matters
• Fluent German and English
• Based in Berlin or willing to relocate; this is an on-site/hybrid role since presence in the office is part of the job

BENEFITS

• High-impact role with direct access to founders and leadership, your work shapes how 40+ people experience their workplace every day
• 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
• Central Berlin office at Münzstraße (Mitte)
• Competitive salary, modern equipment, and room to grow the role as we grow
• Regular team events, offsites, and a culture that takes itself seriously without being stiff

We would love to hear from you. Send us your CV, no cover letter needed, though a few lines on why this role speaks to you are always welcome. Our process is fast and respectful of your time: a short intro call, an interview with our leadership team, a practical case conversation, and a final chat. You will hear back from us within a few days at every stage.