Group HR Director - Retail & Consumer

Michael Page; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

A large retail organization is seeking a Group Head of HR to lead HR strategy and transformation across over 300 retail stores in Kuala Lumpur. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Human Resources or related fields and at least 15 years of experience in senior HR roles, including managing multi-site operations. Responsibilities include driving talent development, fostering employee engagement, and ensuring compliance with Malaysian labor laws. This is a high-impact role working closely with the executive team in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Career advancement opportunities

Leadership development programs

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years in senior HR leadership roles, including at least 5 years managing multi-site retail operations.
• Strong exposure to retail, FMCG, or high-volume customer-facing industries.
• Deep understanding of manpower planning for large store networks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive HR strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to CEO and executive team on workforce planning.
• Drive initiatives to strengthen employee engagement across stores.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Talent development

Data-driven decision making

Employee engagement

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Human Resources or Business Administration

Tools

HRIS systems

Job description

Overview

Influence HR strategy and transformation across 300+ retail stores. Drive talent development and growth in a fast-paced retail environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive HR strategy that aligns with business objectives and supports aggressive retail expansion.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team on organizational design, workforce planning, and cultural transformation.
• Drive initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and embed a high-performance culture across all stores and corporate functions.
• Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
• Design innovative recruitment strategies to attract top talent for both retail and corporate roles.
• Forecast manpower needs for store operations and support functions, ensuring optimal staffing levels.
• Build robust succession plans for leadership positions to secure long-term organizational capability.
• Performance & Development
• Implement performance management frameworks tailored for retail operations, ensuring accountability and productivity.
• Lead leadership development and frontline training programs to enhance skills and career progression.
• Foster a learning culture through continuous development initiatives and digital learning platforms.
• Create competitive compensation structures that attract and retain talent in a highly competitive retail market.
• Oversee annual salary reviews, incentive programs, and benefits administration to maintain market competitiveness.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and internal governance standards.
• Compliance & Employee Relations
• Maintain HR policies that comply with Malaysian labor laws and retail industry best practices.
• Manage employee relations, grievances, and disciplinary processes with fairness and transparency.
• Promote a positive and inclusive work environment across diverse store locations.
• Organizational Development
• Lead change management initiatives to support business transformation and scalability.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to foster an inclusive workplace culture.
• Drive HR digital transformation projects to enhance efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and employee experience.
• Strategic HR Leadership
• Develop and execute a comprehensive HR strategy that aligns with business objectives and supports aggressive retail expansion.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team on organizational design, workforce planning, and cultural transformation.
• Drive initiatives that strengthen employee engagement and embed a high-performance culture across all stores and corporate functions.
• Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning
• Design innovative recruitment strategies to attract top talent for both retail and corporate roles.
• Forecast manpower needs for store operations and support functions, ensuring optimal staffing levels.
• Build robust succession plans for leadership positions to secure long-term organizational capability.
• Performance & Development
• Implement performance management frameworks tailored for retail operations, ensuring accountability and productivity.
• Lead leadership development and frontline training programs to enhance skills and career progression.
• Foster a learning culture through continuous development initiatives and digital learning platforms.
• Compensation & Benefits
• Create competitive compensation structures that attract and retain talent in a highly competitive retail market.
• Oversee annual salary reviews, incentive programs, and benefits administration to maintain market competitiveness.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and internal governance standards.
• Compliance & Employee Relations
• Maintain HR policies that comply with Malaysian labor laws and retail industry best practices.
• Manage employee relations, grievances, and disciplinary processes with fairness and transparency.
• Promote a positive and inclusive work environment across diverse store locations.
• Organizational Development
• Lead change management initiatives to support business transformation and scalability.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs to foster an inclusive workplace culture.
• Drive HR digital transformation projects to enhance efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and employee experience.
• Strategic HR Leadership
• Influence HR strategy and transformation across 300+ retail stores.
• Drive talent development and growth in a fast-paced retail environment.

A successful Group Head of HR should have:

• A degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum 15 years in senior HR leadership roles, including at least 5 years managing multi-site retail operations or large-scale workforce environments.
• Industry Background: Strong exposure to retail, FMCG, or other high-volume, customer-facing industries.
• Retail Workforce Expertise: Deep understanding of manpower planning for large store networks and frontline operations.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of Malaysian labor laws and compliance requirements.
• People Development: Track record in implementing performance management, leadership development, and training programs.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Proficiency in HRIS systems, analytics, and leveraging insights for workforce optimization.

This opportunity is with a large organization in the retail industry, known for its robust presence and commitment to operational excellence. The company operates across diverse markets and focuses on delivering exceptional service and customer satisfaction.

• Strategic Leadership Impact: Shape HR strategy for a leading retail brand with 300+ stores nationwide.
• High-Visibility Role: Work closely with the CEO and executive leadership team to influence business growth.
• Career Advancement: Drive transformation, digital HR initiatives, and cultural change in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

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