People Relations Partner

Castrol; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 260,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Castrol, a global lubricant leader, seeks a senior People Relations expert to lead labor relations across ASPAC including China. You will shape strategy, oversee complex investigations, negotiations with unions, and compliance programs.

Reporting to Head of People Relations, you’ll guide country P&C teams, manage critical employee relation cases, and drive workforce transformation during restructurings.

Qualifications

• Degree in business, law, human resources management or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Develop the People Relations strategy for China and ASPAC and lead regional workforce risk reviews.
• Guide and support complex employee relations cases including misconduct, ethics concerns and investigations.
• Lead negotiations with unions and employee representatives and develop bargaining strategies.
• Provide labour and employee relations leadership during acquisitions, restructurings and workforce transformations.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Written communication

Influencing

Education

Degree in business, law, HR or related discipline

Job description

Castrol is one of the world’s leading lubricant brands, serving customers and consumers in the automotive, marine, industrial and energy sectors. Castrol brands are recognised globally for their premium quality and high performance, shaped by the company’s commitment to innovation and cutting‑edge technology. With products sold in more than 150 countries, Castrol has helped keep things moving on roads and racetracks, air, sea, and space for over 125 years.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready for your next big move, you’re in the right place to explore an exciting career with Castrol.

Job Description

The People Relations team enables fair, consistent and legally compliant people practices while supporting business transformation across China and ASPAC. The team partners with P&C, Legal, Compliance, business leaders, unions, employee representatives and external advisers on complex employee and labour relations matters. This role reports to the Head of People Relations and serves as the senior subject matter expert for China and ASPAC labour law, collective consultation and employee representative engagement. The role provides regional strategic leadership while directly overseeing complex cases, negotiations, labour arbitration support and workforce transformation.

Key tasks

• Develop the People Relations strategy for China and ASPAC, establish governance frameworks and policies, drive consistent practices and lead regional workforce risk reviews.
• Guide and support complex and sensitive employee relations cases, including misconduct, ethics concerns, conflicts of interest, retaliation allegations, harassment complaints, grievances, disciplinary actions, executive investigations and whistleblowing matters.
• Oversee investigation quality, evidence reviews, outcome consistency, escalation processes and litigation risk, ensuring lessons learned are embedded into business practices.
• Lead negotiations with unions and employee representatives and develop bargaining strategies, negotiation plans and communication approaches.
• Negotiate collective agreements covering pay, benefits, working time, attendance, shifts, organisational change, restructuring, flexibility programmes and employee welfare.
• Lead the regional labour relations strategy across ASPAC, support labour arbitration matters and manage consultation requirements during restructurings.
• Provide labour and employee relations leadership during acquisitions, divestments, integrations, outsourcing, reorganisations, site closures and workforce reductions.
• Assess labour risks, consultation obligations and employee communication requirements, partnering with Legal and P&C to develop compliant implementation plans.
• Advise on employee handbook requirements, workforce governance and organisational decisions, and establish People Relations metrics that provide leaders with insight on workforce risks.
• Coach P&C and business leaders, support country P&C professionals, build capability, establish standards and create development plans.
• Build constructive relationships with senior leaders, unions, representative bodies, compliance teams and external advisers while supporting business transformation objectives.

Experience required

• Degree in business, law, human resources management or a related discipline.
• At least 8 to 12 years of experience in HR and People Relations across China and ASPAC.
• Demonstrated experience in employee relations, labour relations, complex investigations and employment risk management.
• Practical knowledge of China and ASPAC labour law, collective consultation requirements and employee representative engagement.
• Experience leading union or employee representative negotiations and supporting collective agreements.
• Experience supporting labour arbitration matters, restructurings and workforce transformation.
• Strong influencing, negotiation, judgement, stakeholder management and written communication skills.
• Ability to work across countries and a matrix organisation, balancing legal, employee, operational and reputational considerations.
• Chinese or additional ASPAC language knowledge is preferred as an advantage.

Success measures

• Reduced industrial relations risk exposure and litigation cost.
• Successful negotiation outcomes and strong employee representative relationships.
• Effective resolution of employee disputes and complex investigations.
• Positive, compliant workforce transitions.
• Improved manager and P&C capability and consistent regional practice.

Privacy

The Castrol entity recruiting for this role is the data controller for the personal information you provide. We use it to assess your application and to manage the recruitment and onboarding process. We may share it with service providers who support our recruitment, and it may be transferred to other Castrol entities internationally under appropriate safeguards. We keep it only for as long as necessary. For details of how we use your information and your data protection rights, contact [e-mail].

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to Castrol recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.).

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.