Head of HR - Manufacturing (Johor Based)

A newly created Head of HR position has just been made available with an international manufacturing leader based in Johor. The parent company is from overseas and they are setting up a manufacturing plant here and this position will be part of the pioneer team to expand their presence in Malaysia.

A leading organisation based in Johor is seeking a Head of Human Resources to join their founding team and play a pivotal role in establishing the HR function for their Malaysia operations. This unique opportunity allows you to shape the people practices, culture, and organisational foundations from day one, ensuring long-term growth and success. The position offers significant flexibility during the initial establishment phase, with hybrid working arrangements and short-term onboarding in China. As operations expand, your role will evolve into a country HR leadership position, providing ongoing influence over talent acquisition, employee experience, and organisational development. If you are passionate about building inclusive workplaces and supporting teams through growth, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

• Join the founding team and help build the HR function from the ground up, influencing every aspect of people strategy and organisational development.
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements during the establishment phase, including hybrid work options and international onboarding opportunities.
• Shape an inclusive, multicultural workplace where employees from diverse backgrounds thrive together, while evolving into a key leadership role as operations grow.

What you'll do:

As Head of Human Resources in Johor, you will be instrumental in developing the HR function for a new operation. Your daily responsibilities will include partnering with global headquarters to craft people strategies that drive organisational success. You will design policies that reflect both business needs and regulatory requirements while fostering an environment where employees feel valued and supported. Talent acquisition will be central to your role; you will lead recruitment efforts for technical positions by collaborating with internal stakeholders and external partners. Building strong relationships across universities and industry networks will help establish a robust employer brand. You will also oversee performance management processes to ensure continuous improvement in employee engagement. Administrative duties such as compliance management, office administration coordination, IT support oversight, travel logistics arrangement for staff or visitors, as well as supporting corporate events or HR projects will round out your responsibilities. Success in this role requires empathy for diverse cultures, commitment to collaborative practices, adaptability in evolving environments, and dedication to nurturing teams through growth.

• Partner closely with headquarters to develop and implement people strategies, organisational structures, and HR roadmaps that support business objectives throughout the establishment and growth journey.
• Design comprehensive HR policies, people practices, and employee programmes that align with company culture, business needs, and Malaysian labour regulations.
• Foster a positive employee experience by nurturing an inclusive environment where collaboration and mutual respect are at the forefront.
• Act as a trusted advisor to local leaders and employees on all people-related matters, supporting team development, engagement initiatives, and organisational effectiveness.
• Lead end-to-end recruitment activities including sourcing candidates, screening applications, coordinating interviews, managing offers, and facilitating onboarding processes.
• Work collaboratively with both headquarters leaders and local managers to identify manpower requirements and hiring priorities for engineering talent and manufacturing technicians.
• Develop effective recruitment strategies by leveraging job portals, networking events, referrals, social media platforms, and industry connections to build strong candidate pipelines.
• Build the employer brand in Malaysia through partnerships with universities, TVET institutions, recruitment partners, and industry communities.
• Monitor recruitment metrics to continuously improve hiring efficiency and reduce time-to-fill for critical roles.
• Coordinate performance management processes while executing employee engagement and retention initiatives to enhance workforce stability and morale.

What you bring:

The ideal Head of Human Resources brings extensive experience from the manufacturing sector along with a solid academic foundation in human resources or business administration. Your background includes successfully launching new operations or contributing to greenfield projects—demonstrating adaptability when navigating uncharted territory. You possess deep knowledge of employment law coupled with practical expertise in designing compliant HR policies. Your interpersonal strengths shine through as you connect with colleagues across all levels; these skills are complemented by clear communication abilities that foster trust within multicultural teams. You thrive when building processes from scratch—whether it’s recruiting top talent or implementing performance management frameworks—and your empathy ensures everyone feels included regardless of their background. Proficiency with MS Office tools streamlines your administrative tasks while fluency in English (well spoken and written) and Mandarin speaking fluency will be preferred enhances your ability to engage effectively across borders.

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management or Business Administration is required for this position.
• At least 5 years of proven experience within the manufacturing industry is essential for success in this role.
• Prior exposure to setting up new operations or supporting greenfield projects demonstrates your ability to thrive in fast-growing environments.
• Comprehensive understanding of employment law and best practices in human resources management ensures compliance with statutory requirements.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills enable you to build positive relationships at all levels within the organisation.
• Outstanding communication abilities allow you to foster trust among colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Comfort operating in environments where processes are not fully established yet shows your adaptability and willingness to build systems from scratch.
• Empathy towards others combined with cultural sensitivity supports diversity initiatives within the workplace.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite is necessary for efficient administrative management tasks.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; additional language skills such as Chinese or Bahasa Malaysia are highly advantageous.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out by offering its founding team members unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and personal fulfilment. Joining at this early stage means you have direct influence over shaping workplace culture—ensuring inclusivity remains central as operations expand. Flexible working arrangements during establishment phases provide autonomy over how you manage your responsibilities; hybrid options accommodate both remote collaboration and onsite presence once operations become fully functional. International onboarding experiences foster cross-cultural understanding while strengthening global networks. The company values empathy-driven leadership: every team member’s voice matters regardless of their background or tenure. Training opportunities abound so you can continually develop new skills alongside supportive colleagues who share your commitment to excellence. As part of this pioneering group in Johor’s manufacturing landscape, you’ll help lay foundations that empower future generations—making this more than just another job but a chance to leave a legacy built on compassion, cooperation, and shared achievement.

What's next:

If you’re ready to shape the future of human resources in Malaysia while enjoying flexible working arrangements and meaningful impact from day one—apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C