Senior HR Executive

SmartHire by SEEK; Seberang Perai; On-site; MYR 56,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Eight days annual leave

Job summary

SmartHire by SEEK in Penang, Malaysia is seeking a Senior HR Executive to own the complete HR function in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You will lead recruitment, payroll, ER/IR, training, and policy development, ensuring compliance with Malaysian law and ISO/RBA standards, while coaching junior staff and building strong people practices.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or equivalent.
• 5+ years full-spectrum HR experience in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of Malaysian Employment Act, ISO standards, and RBA compliance.
• Experience handling ER/IR, disciplinary proceedings, grievances, and investigations.
• RBA audit exposure in electronics/tech manufacturing preferred.
• Mandarin proficiency along with English and Bahasa Malaysia is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee recruitment lifecycle from requisition to onboarding.
• Manage end-to-end payroll processing, attendance, leaves, and statutory submissions.
• Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, and job descriptions; lead performance processes.
• Handle employee relations, investigations, disciplinary matters, and counselling.
• Coach junior HR team and promote confidentiality and compliance.

Skills

Mandarin Proficiency

English Proficiency

Bahasa Malaysia Proficiency

Coaching & Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources

Job description

Our client is seeking a Senior HR Executive to join their team!

This is a comprehensive and rewarding HR opportunity for an experienced generalist to take full ownership of the complete HR function within a dynamic manufacturing environment in Penang. Spanning recruitment, payroll, employee relations, compliance, training, and policy development, this role offers the kind of breadth and responsibility that allows a seasoned HR professional to truly make their mark. For someone who thrives in a hands‑on, fast‑paced manufacturing setting and takes pride in building strong people practices, this is a role with genuine impact.

What you'll be doing?

• Recruitment & Onboarding: Manage the full recruitment lifecycle from open requisition, advertising, and sourcing through to interview coordination, offer management, onboarding, and induction, ensuring a seamless and welcoming experience for all new team members.
• Payroll & HR Administration: Handle end-to-end monthly payroll processing including attendance maintenance, leave management, payroll computation, statutory submissions, and payroll reporting, while keeping all employee records and HR documentation accurate and up to date.
• HR Reporting & Documentation: Prepare HR reports, case summaries, training records, and management updates, maintaining complete and confidential documentation standards across all HR activities.
• HR Policies & Performance Management: Develop and implement HR policies, procedures, and job descriptions, and lead performance appraisal processes, competency development frameworks, and employee engagement initiatives that support a motivated and productive workforce.
• Training & Development: Identify training needs across the organisation, develop annual training plans, and manage the coordination and monitoring of both internal and external training programmes — tracking schedules, attendance, effectiveness, and follow‑up actions throughout.
• Employee & Industrial Relations: Manage employee relations proactively to sustain a positive and productive working environment, and handle disciplinary matters, grievances, counselling, investigations, and employee disputes with professionalism and care.
• Team Coaching & Guidance: Coach and guide junior HR team members, sharing practical knowledge and expertise across employee relations, industrial relations, and training administration to build a capable and confident HR function.
• Compliance & Statutory Management: Ensure full and ongoing compliance with the Malaysian Employment Act, labour legislation, ISO standards, and RBA (Responsible Business Alliance) standards, and liaise with external vendors, auditors, tax agents, and statutory bodies as required.
• Ad-Hoc HR Support: Take on additional HR assignments and duties as directed by management, including providing support for urgent or time‑sensitive HR matters outside of normal working hours when the need arises.

Who are they looking for?

• Educational Background: A minimum Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources or an equivalent qualification is required as the academic foundation for this role.
• Manufacturing HR Experience: A minimum of 5 years of proven full-spectrum HR experience within a manufacturing environment is essential, with candidates from SME backgrounds — where broad, hands‑on HR ownership is the norm — particularly well‑suited to the scope of this position.
• Employment Law & Compliance Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of the Malaysian Employment Act, labour legislation, ISO standards, and RBA compliance is required, alongside demonstrated experience managing ER and IR matters including disciplinary proceedings, grievances, and employee investigations.
• RBA Audit Exposure: Prior experience with RBA (Responsible Business Alliance) audit and compliance processes, particularly within an electronics or technology supply chain manufacturing environment, would be a significant advantage and is highly preferred.
• Mandarin Proficiency: Proficiency in Mandarin, alongside English and Bahasa Malaysia, would be a valuable asset in this role given the communication needs across different levels of the organisation.
• Coaching & Organisational Ability: A demonstrated ability to coach and guide junior HR team members, combined with strong multitasking, organisational, and confidentiality skills, is important for contributing effectively within a small and dynamic HR team.
• Flexibility & Availability: A willingness to provide support for urgent or ad‑hoc HR matters outside of normal working hours reflects the hands‑on and responsive nature of this senior role.

Why you should consider this opportunity?

Our client offers an attractive remuneration package and other benefits, such as:

• A competitive salary of MYR 5,000 – MYR 8,000 per month, reflecting the seniority and full‑spectrum scope of this position
• Eight days of annual leave as part of the overall employment package

If you are a dedicated HR professional who thrives in a hands‑on environment and is passionate about making a genuine difference in the workplace, we would love to hear from you.

All information received will be kept strictly confidential and will be used only for employment‑related purposes.