Plant HR Head

Michael Page; Bangalore Rural; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment consultancy is seeking an experienced HR professional for a manufacturing company in Bangalore, India. The role focuses on leading HR operations, managing industrial relations, and overseeing blue-collar workforce engagement. A minimum of 12 years of manufacturing HR experience, along with proficiency in Kannada, is mandatory. This position emphasizes values-driven leadership and effective communication, integral for maintaining industrial harmony and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Must have 12+ years of HR experience in manufacturing with demonstrated IR exposure.
• Proficient in managing large blue-collar workforces effectively.
• Strong communication style: grounded and approachable.

Responsibilities

• Lead all HR operations and ensure compliance with labour laws.
• Manage industrial relations, grievance handling, and discipline.
• Build and manage a small HR/IR team.

Skills

Manufacturing HR experience

IR management

Kannada language proficiency

Communication skills

Job description

• High ownership role
• Opportunity to work with senior Business Leaders

About Our Client

The hiring company is a well-established entity in the electronics manufacturing industry. It is a large organization with a strong focus on innovation and operational excellence in Chennai.

Job Description

1. Plant HR & Industrial Relations

• Lead all HR operations at the plant, ensuring adherence to labour laws and statutory compliance.
• Manage industrial relations, including union/workmen interactions, grievance handling, and discipline.
• Drive manpower planning, shift staffing, and shopfloor workforce optimisation.
• Maintain strong governance over standing orders, statutory documentation, audits, and labour compliance.

2. Blue-Collar Workforce Management

• Oversee engagement, retention, and productivity programs for blue‑collar employees.
• Implement welfare, safety, and capability-building initiatives.
• Strengthen performance management and reward practices suited to plant operations.

3. HR Business Partnering (AMS & R&D)

• Work closely with AMS and R&D teams on org structuring, talent development, and people processes.
• Ensure HR interventions are aligned with operational needs and business goals.

4. Leadership & Team Development

• Act as the HR lead for manufacturing and adjoining functions.
• Build and manage a small HR/IR team, including the ability to hire an IR Manager under this role.
• Coach line managers on people practices, compliance, and effective workforce management.

5. Culture, Values & Communication

• Uphold core organisational values-integrity, humility, professionalism, and respect.
• Maintain balanced, mature, and approachable communication across stakeholder groups.
• Strengthen a culture of discipline, collaboration, performance, and transparency.

The Successful Applicant

Must‑Have

• Strong manufacturing HR experience with demonstrated IR exposure. (Minimum 12 years of experience)
• Hands‑on experience managing a large blue‑collar workforce.
• Kannada language proficiency (mandatory).
• Experience in plant HR roles with compliance, IR, and workforce engagement exposure.
• Balanced communication style-grounded, mature, and not introverted.

Good-to-Have

• Roots/family background in South India (preferred for cultural and language alignment).
• Experience supporting AMS, R&D, or diversified manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to Sales HR (future scope).

What's on Offer

This position is central to maintaining industrial harmony, operational continuity, and people excellence within the manufacturing ecosystem. The role requires a grounded, values‑aligned HR professional capable of influencing at multiple levels, managing a large blue‑collar workforce, and enabling key functions beyond the plant.