Head of Industrial Relation

Our client has a diverse workforce spanning both white-collar corporate employees and blue-collar manufacturing staff; they are searching for a Head of Industrial Relations — a senior people leader who can navigate complexity, build trust across all levels, and ensure the organisation remains compliant, harmonious, and well-positioned in an increasingly dynamic labour environment.

This is a high-impact role for a seasoned IR professional who is equally comfortable in a boardroom and on a factory floor.

Our client needs a mature and credible IR leader, someone who brings deep knowledge of Indonesian labour law alongside the interpersonal sophistication to manage relationships with unions, employees, regulators, and international stakeholders. English fluency is essential, as the role operates within a multinational structure with regional and global reporting lines.

• 10–15 years of experience in Industrial Relations or HR, with significant exposure to both manufacturing and corporate workforce environments
• Deep expertise in Indonesian labour law and regulations — you are the go-to authority internally and can translate legal complexity into clear, actionable guidance for the business
• Proven experience managing union relations — you have negotiated PKB (Collective Labour Agreements), handled disputes, and built productive long-term relationships with union representatives
• Experience handling IR matters for a mixed workforce — white-collar professionals and blue-collar manufacturing employees and understanding the distinct dynamics each requires
• Exposure to managing IR considerations for expatriate or international employees — you are familiar with the compliance, cultural, and contractual nuances involved
• Strong command of English, both written and spoken — you are confident presenting to regional or global HR leadership and drafting formal communications in English
• Background in FMCG or manufacturing is strongly preferred — you understand the operational realities, the workforce profile, and the IR sensitivities that come with the territory
• A calm, measured, and authoritative presence — you do not escalate when you can de-escalate, and you know when to hold firm

What You Will Do

• Own the end-to-end Industrial Relations agenda for the company in Indonesia — covering all employee categories across corporate and manufacturing sites
• Lead and manage union relationships — maintaining open, constructive dialogue, overseeing PKB negotiations, and ensuring agreements are implemented effectively and fairly
• Handle employee disputes, disciplinary processes, and grievance mechanisms with consistency, fairness, and full legal compliance
• Serve as the primary IR advisor to HR leadership and senior management — guiding labour law, workforce actions, and risk management
• Manage IR matters involving expatriate and international employees — navigating the additional compliance and cultural dimensions these cases require
• Partner with manufacturing site HR teams to ensure IR practices on the floor are aligned with group policy and local regulatory requirements
• Monitor the external labour relations landscape — regulatory changes, union developments, industry trends — and brief leadership proactively on implications for the business
• Build the internal IR capability of the HR team — coaching HR Business Partners and site HR on handling day-to-day IR matters with confidence
• Represent the company in dealings with government bodies, including Disnaker and relevant labour authorities, as required
• Contribute to the broader HR agenda as a senior member of the HR leadership team

Call for Action

To be successful in this role, you will need to be a seasoned IR professional with the legal depth, interpersonal credibility, and cross-cultural fluency to lead a complex IR function within a world-class multinational environment. Strong English communication skills are a must. If you are keen to apply, please send your updated CV to [email protected]