Human Resource Manager

PERSOL; Kulai; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

PERSOL is seeking an experienced Human Resources Manager in Kulai, Malaysia to lead HR and Administration for a blue-collar manufacturing workforce. You will drive policies, payroll, employee relations, and workforce planning while ensuring compliance with local regulations and international standards.

The role emphasizes strategic advisory to Management, stakeholder engagement, and strong governance, with responsibility for safety, sustainability, and HR governance initiatives.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or equivalent.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in a managerial role.
• Proven experience managing a blue‑collar workforce within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with RBA, compliance, governance and labour relations is advantageous.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and ethics in people management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all HR and Administration functions including recruitment, payroll, and employee engagement.
• Develop, review and implement HR policies aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Management to drive workforce planning and organizational effectiveness.
• Provide strategic HR guidance to support growth and operational excellence.
• Manage employee relations, including grievance handling, investigations and conflict resolution.
• Ensure compliance with labour laws and RBA requirements; act as governance lead.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Compliance

People management

Communication

Education

Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in HRM/BA/IR

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Human Resources Manager is responsible for leading the overall HR and Administration functions, ensuring effective workforce management, compliance, talent development, employee engagement, and organizational governance. The role plays a strategic part in supporting business objectives through strong people management practices, fostering a positive work culture, and ensuring compliance with local regulations and international standards.

The incumbent will serve as a trusted advisor to Management on human capital, labour relations, compliance, governance, and Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) requirements. This position requires a strong leader who is capable of managing a predominantly blue-collar workforce within a manufacturing environment and confidently handling complex employee and stakeholder matters.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage all HR and Administration functions, including recruitment, compensation and benefits, payroll, employee relations, performance management, training and development, and employee engagement.

Develop, review, and implement HR policies, procedures, and initiatives aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Partner with Management and Department Heads to drive workforce planning and organizational effectiveness.

Provide strategic HR guidance and recommendations to support business growth and operational excellence.

Employee Relations & Workforce Management

Manage employee relations matters, including grievance handling, disciplinary cases, investigations, and conflict resolution.

Ensure effective management of a large blue-collar workforce and promote a positive employee relations culture.

Monitor manpower utilization and workforce productivity to ensure optimal staffing levels.

Champion employee engagement, welfare, and well-being programs to support the organization's Employer of Choice initiative.

Compensation, Benefits & Payroll

Oversee payroll administration, compensation structures, benefits management, and statutory compliance.

Ensure timely, accurate, and compliant payroll processing.

Manage performance-based incentive programs and remuneration policies.

Learning & Development

Develop and implement annual training and development plans.

Drive competency development, succession planning, upskilling, and reskilling initiatives.

Maintain employee training needs analysis (TNA) and competency matrices to support organizational growth.

Compliance, Governance & Stakeholder Management

Lead and ensure compliance with labour laws, employment regulations, RBA requirements, and HR governance standards.

Act as the organization's RBA Lead and subject matter expert on social compliance and governance matters.

Maintain strong working relationships with government agencies, labour departments, statutory bodies, and external stakeholders.

Represent the organization during audits, inspections, and regulatory engagements.

Health, Safety & Sustainability

Work closely with the Safety & Health Officer to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety requirements.

Promote a culture of safety, ethics, and corporate responsibility across the organization.

Support and coordinate compliance initiatives related to ISO and industry standards where applicable.

Qualifications & Experience

Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Industrial Relations, or equivalent.

Minimum 8 years of progressive HR experience, including at least 3 years in a managerial role.

Proven experience managing a blue-collar workforce within a manufacturing environment.

Experience in industries such as metal stamping, metal fabrication, plastic injection, or other labour-intensive manufacturing sectors is highly preferred.

Strong knowledge of employment legislation, labour relations, HR best practices, compliance, and governance requirements.

Experience leading RBA, social compliance, ESG, or similar compliance initiatives is an advantage.

Strong leadership and people management skills.

Excellent stakeholder management and influencing abilities.

Well-established experience dealing with government agencies, labour authorities, and regulatory bodies.

Confident decision-maker with the ability to take a firm stand on sensitive people and compliance matters when required.

High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards.

Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution capabilities.

Ability to work independently and perform effectively under pressure and tight deadlines.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 13485 will be an added advantage.