AIXTRON MALAYSIA SDN BHD Hiring! Full Time HR - Administration Manager in Pulau Pinang - Ricebowl

About the role

We are looking for an entrepreneurial, hands-on HR & Administration Manager to build the HR and general administration function for AIXTRON Malaysia from the ground up. This role is critical to attract, develop and retain the talent required to launch and scale our new manufacturing and engineering hub in Penang — while ensuring full compliance with Malaysian labor laws and creating a fair, safe and high-performance work environment from day one.

In the start-up phase, you will act as the local HR lead and a core member of the site leadership team, working in close alignment with AIXTRON Headquarters and regional stakeholders. As the organization grows, you will build a lean, scalable HR setup and play a key role in shaping the local company culture and ways of working. You will be one of the key players to make our project successful.

Responsibilities

HR Strategy & Greenfield Start-up

·         Partner with site leadership to define and implement the foundational HR strategy for the start-up and growth phases.

·         Design, implement and continuously improve HR policies, workflows and the employee handbook for a rapidly scaling manufacturing environment.

·         Build a strong and lean HR organization from scratch and scale it with the business.

Employer Branding, Talent Acquisition & Onboarding

·         Develop employer branding and a local recruitment strategy to position AIXTRON as an employer of choice in the region.

·         Partner with hiring managers to define role requirements and selection criteria.

·         Lead end-to-end recruitment for all levels (technicians, engineers, professionals and management).

·         Build relationships with technical institutes, universities, recruitment agencies and relevant government bodies (e.g., HRD Corp).

·         Execute a structured onboarding program to integrate new hires.

HR Operations, Payroll & Compliance

·         Ensure compliance with Malaysian employment regulations (Employment Act 1955, Industrial Relations Act, OSHA, EPF, SOCSO, EIS, Income Tax, etc.) and keep policies up to date.

·         Manage monthly payroll processing in liaison with an external payroll service provider.

Compensation, Performance & Reporting

·         Conduct market benchmarking to maintain competitive salary and benefits structures.

·         Coordinate annual salary reviews, performance appraisals, bonus and incentive programs.

·         Maintain HR records (attendance, headcount, turnover, approvals, etc.) and personnel files in line with internal controls.

Employee Relations & Culture

·         Serve as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters and foster a fair and transparent work environment.

·         Handle disciplinary actions, grievances, conflicts and performance issues professionally and in accordance with Malaysian law.

Training & Development

·         Identify training needs (manufacturing skills, safety, quality and soft skills).

·         Coordinate internal/external trainings and certifications; track participation and effectiveness.

General Administration & Facility Support

·         Manage general office administration (procurement of office supplies, equipment and services).

·         Manage vendors for facilities, security, cleaning, catering, travel and transport.

·         Support coordination of work permits and expatriate visa processes for foreign employees and visitors, if required.

Qualifications & Skills

·         Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or related field.

·         8+ years of HR experience, including 3–5 years in a managerial role; experience in international manufacturing companies is a plus.

·         Strong, hands-on knowledge across HR functions; solution-oriented mindset.

·         Ability to work strategically and hands-on, and to build processes from scratch.

·         High integrity and ability to handle confidentiality with discretion.

·         Strong interpersonal skills; comfortable interacting with all levels from technician to senior management.

·         Fluent in English and Bahasa Malaysia; Mandarin is an advantage.

Working Conditions

·         Role based at AIXTRON Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

·         Majority of work at the Batu Kawan site.

·         Occasional travel to Headquarters in Germany or other regional sites.