HR Manager — Manufacturing Operations

Location: Chemor, Perak (Factory) and Greentown, Perak (Corporate Office)

About the Role

We are a growing manufacturing company looking for a results-driven HR Manager who is ready to get their hands dirty. This is not a desk job. You will be on the floor, working alongside supervisors and team leaders to build a culture of accountability, discipline, and operational excellence.

Our workforce includes both local and foreign workers, and we operate under the internationally recognised SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) social compliance standard. The person in this role must be equally comfortable managing foreign worker programmes as they are preparing for third-party ethical audits.

If you have built HR systems from the ground up in a manufacturing or industrial environment, understand what it takes to manage a multi-nationality shift workforce, and know what auditors look for — we want to hear from you.

What You Will Be Responsible For

HR Operations & Policy

Own and continuously improve the full suite of HR policies, procedures, and the employee handbook
Ensure all HR practices are compliant with local labour laws and consistently enforced across all departments
Serve as the go-to resource for managers and employees on HR matters, employment contracts, and workplace conduct

Discipline & Grievance Management

Lead disciplinary proceedings from investigation through to resolution — fairly and by the book
Manage grievance cases with a focus on early resolution and long-term employee relations
Coach supervisors on how to handle misconduct, absenteeism, and performance issues at the frontline level

Manpower Planning & Recruitment

Develop and maintain a rolling manpower plan aligned to production schedules and business growth
Own end-to-end recruitment for operational, technical, and supervisory roles — both local and foreign hires
Manage the full foreign worker recruitment process: liaison with recruitment agents, work permit / visa applications, quota management, and coordination with relevant government authorities
Ensure ethical and compliant recruitment practices — zero tolerance for recruitment fee charging to workers, in line with SMETA standards
Manage onboarding to ensure all new hires, including foreign workers, are properly oriented, documented, and integrated into the workplace

Payroll Controls & Compensation

Oversee payroll processing, ensuring accuracy, timely submission, and full compliance
Maintain robust controls over overtime, shift allowances, and statutory contributions
Conduct periodic payroll audits and resolve discrepancies proactively

Performance Management

Drive the performance appraisal cycle from goal-setting through to review and outcome action
Work with department heads to identify high performers and those needing a structured improvement plan
Build a performance culture where feedback is timely, fair, and documented

Supervisor Accountability

Actively develop the HR capability of supervisors and team leaders — they are your frontline HR partners
Hold supervisors accountable for people management responsibilities: attendance, documentation, conduct follow-through
Facilitate practical supervisory training and coaching sessions

Foreign Worker Management

Oversee the welfare, accommodation, and day-to-day HR needs of foreign workers in compliance with legal requirements and ethical standards
Maintain proper documentation for all foreign workers: permits, passports (never withheld), contracts in workers' own languages, and levy records
Liaise with foreign worker hostels or accommodation providers to ensure living conditions meet required standards
Implement and monitor a worker voice / grievance mechanism that is accessible to foreign workers regardless of language barriers
Manage foreign worker renewals, repatriations, and levy payments in a timely and compliant manner

Social Compliance & Ethical Audits

Serve as the primary point of contact for all social compliance audits, including SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) assessments
Maintain audit-ready documentation across all HR pillars: wages, working hours, freedom of association, anti-discrimination, health & safety interface, and forced labour prevention
Conduct regular internal self-assessments using the SMETA framework and drive corrective action plans (CAPs) to close gaps
Train managers and supervisors on social compliance obligations and expected workplace conduct standards
Coordinate with customers, third-party auditors, and certification bodies as required

Workforce Engagement & Retention

Monitor turnover trends and identify root causes, particularly at the production floor level
Design and implement retention initiatives that address the real needs of a manufacturing workforce, including foreign workers
Conduct stay interviews and exit interviews, and act on what you learn

What We Are Looking For

Experience

Minimum 5 years of HR experience, with at least 2–3 years in a manufacturing, industrial, or operations-heavy environment
Proven track record managing a full spectrum of HR functions — not just one or two
Hands-on experience managing foreign worker programmes, including permit applications, quota management, and worker welfare
Direct experience preparing for and hosting SMETA or equivalent social compliance audits is strongly preferred
Hands-on experience handling disciplinary cases, grievances, and labour relations matters

Skills & Competencies

Strong working knowledge of local labour legislation, employment practices, and foreign worker regulations
Familiar with SMETA audit pillars and ethical trade frameworks (Sedex, ETI Base Code)
Confident managing payroll processes and related controls, including foreign worker levies and deductions
Able to hold difficult conversations with supervisors and employees at all levels, across language and cultural differences
Sharp analytical skills — comfortable using data to identify HR trends and drive decisions
High integrity and a consistent, no-favourites approach to policy enforcement

Personal Attributes

Practical and solution-focused — you solve problems, not just document them
Credible with the floor: supervisors and operators alike will respect your presence
Organised and detail-oriented, especially around compliance and documentation
A self-starter who doesn't wait to be told — you see a gap and you fix it

What We Offer

Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Opportunities for career growth as the organisation expands
A leadership team that values and supports a strong HR function

How to Apply

Send your CV and a brief cover letter explaining why you are the right fit for this role to [hr@sanctuary.com.my] or directly via LinkedIn with the subject line: HR Manager Application — [Your Name].

Sanctuary Health Sdn Bhd

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