General Manager – HR & Admin

Job Description:

Job Summary

To provide strategic leadership for Plant HR across all manufacturing units by driving robust HR systems, ensuring legal compliance, managing industrial relations, enhancing employee engagement, building future-ready workforce capabilities, and aligning people strategy with business growth plans

Core (Technical / operational responsibilities e.g. functional duties, financial mgt., project management)

Develop and implement end-to-end HR strategies and systems at all plants covering Recruitment, Talent Management, Training & Development, Employee Relations, Compliance, and Workforce Planning.
2. Lead the design and deployment of Plant HR policies, SOPs, and programs that foster a high-performance, compliant, and engaged work environment.
3. Ensure 100% statutory and legal compliance at all manufacturing locations under the Factories Act, Labour Laws, Contract Labour Regulation, ESIC, PF, Gratuity, and other applicable statutes.
4. Build proactive and harmonious Industrial Relations (IR) strategy including managing union negotiations, handling disciplinary issues, conducting long-term settlements, and maintaining positive employee relations.
5. Drive Talent Acquisition for all levels at Plants including blue-collar and leadership hiring in coordination with corporate TA.
6. Lead workforce capability building through Training Need Analysis (TNA), skill enhancement programs, apprenticeships, and multi-skill development.
7. Oversee Performance Management System rollouts and drive merit-based culture across all plant teams.
8. Monitor and optimize manpower deployment, shift management, contract labour management, and productivity improvement initiatives.
9. Lead HR automation initiatives at plants for better efficiency and data-driven decision-making (Attendance Systems, HRMS, Statutory Reporting).

10. Act as a strategic business partner to Plant Heads and Manufacturing Leaders to support operational excellence through HR interventions.                 

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT (Responsibility for leading, motivating and developing staff, excludes supervisory responsibilities)

1. Lead, mentor, and develop a multi-location Plant HR team to deliver consistent HR excellence across plants.
2. Build leadership capabilities within the HR team and drive a culture of accountability, empowerment, and continuous learning.
3. Ensure effective grievance redressal, employee welfare programs, and proactive engagement initiatives.
4. Drive Succession Planning, Career Pathing, and Employee Development initiatives for Plant workforce.

DECISION – MAKING

1. Final authority for HR strategy execution, IR matters, and compliance across plants.
2. Recommend policy changes, organization restructuring, manpower planning, and reward mechanisms based on plant and business needs.
3. Approve resource allocation, vendor/consultant selection for IR/legal/compliance services.

KEY SKILLS

1. Strategic HR Leadership and Business Partnering
2. Deep Knowledge of Labour Laws, Industrial Relations, and Factory Compliance
3. Talent Acquisition and Leadership Hiring
4. Training & Development, Skill Enhancement Programs
5. Employee Engagement and Retention Strategy
6. Conflict Resolution, Union Handling, and Negotiation Skills
7. HR Technology and Automation Implementation
8. Analytical Thinking, Decision-Making, and Change Management

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

• MBA / PGDM in HR / MSW / LLB or Equivalent
•  Certifications in Labour Law, Compliance, or Industrial Relations preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• 18-22 years of Plant HR leadership experience in Manufacturing, FMCG, Pharma, or Alco-beverage industries.
• Proven track record in handling multi-plant HR operations, large workforce management, and Industrial Relations.