Head – HR

Job Description: Head – HR & IR (Manufacturing )

Position Title:
Head – Human Resources & Industrial Relations

Industry:
Manufacturing

Workforce Size:
300 – 400 employees (workmen + staff)

Location:
Pondicherry

Reporting To:
Chief Financial Officer

Employment Type:
Full-time

1. Role Overview

The Head – HR & IR will be responsible for leading the Human Resources, Industrial Relations, and Administration functions for a manufacturing unit employing around workers. The role requires hands-on factory HR experience, strong union/worker management capabilities, and the ability to ensure compliance, productivity, and workforce harmony.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. HR Leadership & Operations

• Lead all HR activities including manpower planning, recruitment, onboarding, employee engagement, and retention.
• Implement and monitor HR policies, procedures, and HRMS systems.
• Drive Performance Management System (PMS) and support departmental heads in goal-setting and reviews.
• Implement training, upskilling programs, and competency development for staff and workers.
• Manage payroll, attendance, leave administration, and time office operations.
• Ensure smooth HR operations across all 3 shifts.

B. Industrial Relations (Critical Responsibility)

• Maintain stable and healthy relations with workmen, unions and contract labour.
• Handle disciplinary actions, domestic enquiries, grievance redressal, and dispute resolution.
• Lead collective bargaining discussions, long-term settlements, and union negotiations.
• Monitor adherence to standing orders and ensure proper communication with workers.
• Build rapport with shop-floor teams through regular rounds, counselling, and interaction.

C. Statutory Compliance

• Ensure 100% compliance under Factories Act, Labour Codes, Contract Labour Act, ESI, PF, Bonus, Gratuity, and other labour regulations.
• Manage statutory registers, monthly/annual returns, inspections, and liaison with government authorities.
• Ensure licence renewals and audits are completed on time.
• Coordinate with the Safety Team for compliance with health, safety, and welfare standards.

D. Contract Labour Management

• Monitor daily deployment of contract labour through contractors.
• Verify contractor statutory compliance—ESI, PF, wage slips, bonus, leave, etc.
• Conduct periodic audits of contractor records and worker well-being.

E. Administration

• Handle factory administration including canteen, security, transport, housekeeping, and infrastructure.
• Support implementation of safety and welfare initiatives.
• Ensure proper working conditions and employee amenities for all shifts.

3. Desired Candidate Profile

• Education:
  MSW / MBA (HR) / MLW / MHRM or equivalent.
• Experience:
  10–15 years in plant HR & IR with minimum 5 years in a leadership/plant HR head role.
• Strong expertise in labour laws and practical hands-on IR exposure.
• Experience dealing with ~200–500 workforce preferred.
• Proven ability to manage union dynamics, negotiations, and dispute prevention.
• Good communication skills in local language (Tamil) and English.
• Must be grounded, approachable, and capable of commanding respect on the shop floor.

4. Key Competencies

• Worker relationship management
• IR negotiation skills
• Statutory compliance expertise
• Leadership and people management
• Decision-making & problem-solving
• Conflict resolution
• Confidentiality and ethical conduct
• Ability to work under pressure (shutdowns, production peaks, disputes)

5. Compensation

Competitive, based on experience and industry norms for manufacturing units of similar scale.