Principal HR Generalist

AMS; Kulim; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global manufacturing company in Kedah, Malaysia is seeking a Principal HR Generalist to build a people-centered culture. The role involves collaborating with site leadership, driving organizational excellence, and supporting employee relations. A bachelor’s degree with 7 years experience in HR is required, along with strong problem-solving skills. Experience in regulated environments is a plus. This position offers a strategic opportunity to influence and partner across functions and regions.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• Advanced degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is preferred.
• Experience driving performance management and organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with site leadership on operational planning and talent strategies.
• Implement strategic initiatives for organizational effectiveness.
• Advise management on optimal structures and staffing models.
• Counsel leaders in alignment with policies and practices.
• Lead proactive employee relations strategies.

Skills

Employee Relations Experience

Performance Management

Problem solving/analysis skills

Stakeholder relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (preferred)

Job description

Are you ready to make a lasting impact by building a high-performing, people-centered culture from the ground up? As the Principal HR Generalist, you’ll play a pivotal role in translating business strategy into meaningful people actions and experiences at a new manufacturing site. Partner with inspiring leaders and an innovative HR organization to drive organizational success, foster engagement, and champion global standards.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Business & Talent Partnership

Collaborate with site leadership on operational planning, ensuring talent strategies directly support business priorities and growth milestones.

Forge powerful cross-functional partnerships to accelerate key business outcomes.

Bring an “outside-in” perspective by leveraging best-in-class industry practices and global insights to inform people strategies.

Drive Organizational Excellence

Implement strategic initiatives to ensure organizational effectiveness, with specific focus on team effectiveness and functional operational efficiency.

Advise management on optimal structures, staffing models, and capability building for a rapid scaling operation.

Ensure effective organization structure, design, and staffing model.

Assess and facilitate a scalable organization design and leadership changes as we grow in scope, scale and capability.

Enabling Leadership Effectiveness

Influence business decisions and outcomes through credible and authentic relationships with leaders and colleagues.

Counsel leaders in alignment with company‑spolicies/practices, legal considerations, and priorities—advocating both company and employee concerns.

Serve as a trusted advisor and coach to functional leaders giving effective feedback, performance coaching, and development advice in support of their leadership effectiveness.

Lead Employee Relations with Integrity

Counsel and provide partnership to employees and all levels of management across the full spectrum of employee relations matters in alignment with our practices, policies, and local labor legislation.

Contribute to proactive workplace initiatives and strategies; workplace investigations and internal reviews; performance improvement and discipline processes; end of employment/restructuring; labor relations; crisis management; and general employee relations coaching and conflict resolution.

Develop and lead proactive employee and labor relations strategies to contribute to a positive work environment by leveraging data, addressing areas of opportunity and minimizing risk.

Creating an aligned and Cohesive HR experience for Clients

Talent Management – Partner to implement regular talent and organizational reviews, career development planning, performance management, workforce planning, and org health.

Talent Acquisition – Partner to identify key functional and leadership talent to strengthen the talent pipeline and increase organizational diversity.

Total Rewards – Partner to effectively implement and communicate compensation and benefits programs to successfully attract, motivate and retain employees.

Employee Relations – Lead, identify and facilitate resolution of ER issues with the support from regional ER team.

Minimum Required Knowledge and Experience

Requires a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or an advanced degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.

• Prior Employee Relations Experience
• Experience in driving Performance Management and Organizational Change
• Strong problem solving/analysis skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage stakeholders’ relationships across a multicultural organization (across functions, countries & businesses)

Preferred

• Degree in Human Resources Management, Organization Development or Business
• Industry experience in heavily regulated environments