Job Description

As a Lead HR Specialist – Labour Relations, you will provide expert guidance and support to lead Labour Relations matter on employee relations, union interactions, and works committee matters for project sites and factory location, to ensure alignment with business goals and compliance with the law, policy, guidelines and collective bargaining agreements. You will advise management on labour law, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation, ensuring alignment with legal standards and organizational values. With a strong grasp of industry best practices and an understanding how labour relations integrate across business functions, you will play a key role in shaping a collaborative, coaching & supporting compliant work environment. Your insights into market dynamics and competitive differentiators will support the development of forward-thinking labour tactics that enhance employee engagement, proactive support, problem solving and operational effectiveness to enhance positive, inclusive and safe workplace culture enabling People Leaders to lead with confidence and clarity. You will play a key role in negotiating, interpreting, and implementing CBAs, and will serve as a vital liaison between management and labor representatives.

Key Responsibilities

Labour Law and Compliance Expertise:

Responsible for having in-depth knowledge of labour laws and industrial relations, the Individual provides advice, counsel and leadership on employee and unions relations. Advises management on legal/labour law/regulatory issues and risk management. Ensures legal compliance and providing authoritative guidance for labour relations matter and acts as an expert resource for regulatory requirements.

• Ensure adherence to all applicable labor laws and statutory requirements.
• Provide expert counsel and leadership on employee relations and union/works council matters.
• Advise management on labor trends, risks, and strategic interventions.
• Be a strong subject matter expert on the New Labour Code & deployment.

Union & Works Committee Partnership:

Serves as a liaison between management and employee representatives, fostering constructive relationships with union, works committee, and labour authorities. Lead negotiations including Long Term Settlement, coordinate meetings, and support ongoing dialogue to maintain positive labour relations and creating Highest performing team.

• Manage industrial relations with labour union - representatives and facilitate collective bargaining (Long Term Settlement) processes and agreements.
• Develop and implement employee engagement initiatives including reward & recognition or employees including long service award
• Build trust and credibility with employees across levels
• Support organizational change initiatives from a labor relations perspective.
• Execute the Long Term Settlement / collective bargaining outcomes, including the wage settlement and revisions on yearly basis.

Business Alignment & Strategy:

Operate with a strong understanding of business operations, aligning labour strategy with organizational goals. Collaborate with HR and legal leads to support business needs and drive effective labour relations in site establishment and learning activities.

• Collaborate with plant managers, legal teams, and external consultants.
• Provide guidance to line managers on disciplinary actions and labor law implications.
• Develop and update guidelines related to labor and employee relations for the site
• Utilizes in-depth knowledge of a discipline and analytical thinking to execute policy/strategy
• Keeping, maintaining and providing management reports and data analysis regularly

HR Conflict Resolution:

Build consultation materials, manage collective agreement litigations, and lead information and consultation processes. Collect and challenge data and coordinate responses to labour disputes to resolve issues efficiently.

• Conduct investigations and recommend resolutions for workplace conflicts.
• Address employee grievances and disputes with fairness and consistency.
• Disciplinary Actions / organize and conduct Domestic Enquiry
• Represent the organization in conciliation meetings which includes participation / represent in court proceedings
• Represents the company, facilitate government visits; internal and external audits

Required Qualification/Skills

• MBA/MSW/PGDM in HR from an accredited university/college or equivalent with 8+ years of experience in Industrial Relations preferably in a Labour Relations in a unionized environment in a mid-to large sized manufacturing Units.
• Proven experience in union negotiations, collective bargaining, long term settlement and grievance handling.
• Knowledge of Indian labour laws, statutory compliance, its documentation and demonstrated experience in application of HR policies
• Experience in managing legal cases related to labour and employment matters, including coordination and follow-up with legal counsel.
• Experience in conducting domestic enquiries and disciplinary actions
• Knowledge of New Labour Codes: Advice the management on the impact of New Labour Codes and its deployment in the business unit (be a strong subject matter expert on the New Labour Code).

Desired Characteristics :

• Strong oral and written communication, fluent in local language.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills. Ability to work independently.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and resolve problems.

Additional Information

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes