Lead HR Specialist

As a Lead HR Specialist – Labour Relations, you will provide expert guidance and support to lead Labour Relations matter on employee relations, union interactions, and works committee matters for project sites and factory location, to ensure alignment with business goals and compliance with the law, policy, guidelines and collective bargaining agreements. You will advise management on labour law, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation, ensuring alignment with legal standards and organizational values. With a strong grasp of industry best practices and an understanding how labour relations integrate across business functions, you will play a key role in shaping a collaborative, coaching & supporting compliant work environment. Your insights into market dynamics and competitive differentiators will support the development of forward-thinking labour tactics that enhance employee engagement, proactive support, problem solving and operational effectiveness to enhance positive, inclusive and safe workplace culture enabling People Leaders to lead with confidence and clarity.

Key Responsibilities

1. Labour Law and Compliance Expertise:

Responsible for having in-depth knowledge of labour laws and industrial relations, the Individual provides advice, counsel and leadership on employee and unions relations. Advises management on legal/labour law/regulatory issues and risk management. Ensures legal compliance and providing authoritative guidance for labour relations matter and acts as an expert resource for regulatory requirements.

a. Ensure adherence to all applicable labor laws and statutory requirements.

b. Provide expert counsel and leadership on employee relations and union/works council matters.

c. Advise management on labor trends, risks, and strategic interventions.

2. Union & Works Committee Partnership:

Serves as a liaison between management and employee representatives, fostering constructive relationships with union, works committee, and labour authorities. Lead negotiations including Long Term Settlement, coordinate meetings, and support ongoing dialogue to maintain positive labour relations and creating Highest performing team.

a. Manage industrial relations with labour union - representatives and facilitate collective bargaining (Long Term Settlement) processes and agreements.

b. Develop and implement employee engagement initiatives including reward & recognition or employees including long service award

c. Build trust and credibility with employees across levels

d. Support organizational change initiatives from a labor relations perspective.

e. Execute the Long Term Settlement / collective bargaining outcomes, including the wage settlement and revisions on yearly basis.

3. Business Alignment & Strategy:

Operate with a strong understanding of business operations, aligning labour strategy with organizational goals. Collaborate with HR and legal leads to support business needs and drive effective labour relations in site establishment and learning activities.

a. Collaborate with plant managers, legal teams, and external consultants.

b. Provide guidance to line managers on disciplinary actions and labor law implications.

c. Develop and update guidelines related to labor and employee relations for the site

d. Utilizes in-depth knowledge of a discipline and analytical thinking to execute policy/strategy

e. Keeping, maintaining and providing management reports and data analysis regularly

4. HR Conflict Resolution:

Build consultation materials, manage collective agreement litigations, and lead information and consultation processes. Collect and challenge data and coordinate responses to labour disputes to resolve issues efficiently.

a. Conduct investigations and recommend resolutions for workplace conflicts.

b. Address employee grievances and disputes with fairness and consistency.

c. Disciplinary Action

d. Represent the organization in labor court proceedings

e. Represents the company, facilitate government visits; internal and external audits

5. HR Talent Attraction

a. Responsible for end to end hiring of blue-collar employees (Fixed Term Contract and Permanent) and Temp / Third Party Employees

b. Execute manpower plan to enable smooth operations

c. Accountable for end-to-end Apprentices (ITI and Graduate) hiring.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Master's degree from an accredited university / college in Social Work (MSW) and Labour Welfare (MLW),

Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in Industrial / Labour Relations – Human Resources in a manufacturing / factory setup.

Desired Characteristics – Knowledge & Skill

Expert knowledge of Indian labour laws, statutory compliance, its documentation and demonstrated experience in application of HR policies

Strong oral and written communication skills in English, Hindi & Gujarati

Demonstrated ability to analyse and resolve problems.

Proven experience in union negotiations, collective bargaining, long term settlement and grievance handling.

Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.

Ability to plan, market, and execute programs. Established project management skills.

Experience with HRIS systems

Critical thinking with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes