Labor and Employee Relations & Factory HR Business Partner Manager

Role Title: Industrial Relations and Employee Relations HR Business Partner Manager

Location: General Trias, Cavite (Gateway Business Park)

Unilever Philippines is looking for an Industrial Relations and Employee Relations HR Business Partner who has expertise in Employee/Industrial Relations (ER/IR) to support our manufacturing operations across the Philippines.

This role requires an HR professional with a strong track record in managing union relationships, negotiating collective bargaining agreements (CBA), and ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in fostering a positive workplace culture while balancing business and workforce needs.

In addition to national ER/IR responsibilities, this role will have company-wide responsibilities related to employee engagement and HR policy modernization, ensuring alignment with best practices and evolving workforce needs. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in fostering a positive workplace culture while balancing business and workforce needs.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?

• Strategic HR Partnering: Provide expert guidance on labor and employee relations strategies to ensure a harmonious and productive workplace.
• Union and CBA Management: Lead negotiations for Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), manage labor disputes, and proactively engage with union representatives.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with local labor laws, government regulations, and company policies while mitigating risks related to employee relations.
• Employee & Labor Relations: Address grievances, disciplinary actions, and dispute resolutions in alignment with legal and ethical standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with internal stakeholders, including the factory leadership and legal teams, as well as external partners such as the Department of Labor and union representatives.
• National Employee Engagement Initiatives: Design and implement employee engagement strategies across all sites, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• HR Policies & Process Improvement: Lead the revamping and standardization of HR policies to align with business needs, legal compliance, and evolving workforce expectations.
• Workforce Transformation & Organization Design: Support organization design (OD) and development initiatives, including restructuring, workforce planning, and cultural transformation.
• Capability & Learning Development: Partner with leadership teams to identify capability gaps and implement learning and development programs to strengthen workforce skills.
• Performance & Rewards: Work closely with the Rewards team to align performance management systems and ensure fair and competitive compensation practices.
• Project & Change Management: Drive HR projects and change management initiatives, ensuring smooth execution of workforce transitions and organizational improvements.
• Communication & Leadership Development: Provide training and guidance to managers on labor laws, dispute resolution, and best practices for managing a unionized workforce.

SKILLS THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD HAVE:

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, especially in high-stakes labor negotiations.
• Deep knowledge of labor laws, industrial relations frameworks, and employee relations best practices.
• Proven ability to handle complex union matters and manage sensitive employee relations cases with discretion.
• Excellent stakeholder management, with the ability to build strong relationships with unions, government agencies, and internal leaders.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to drive employee engagement and policy modernization at a national level.
• Problem-solving and crisis management skills to navigate difficult labor and employee situations effectively.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities to assess risks, trends, and HR metrics.
• Adaptability and resilience, especially in fast-paced manufacturing environments with evolving labor dynamics.
• Expertise in Organization Development (OD) and Organization Design to drive workforce transformation.
• Experience in Learning & Capability Development to enhance employee skills and leadership growth.
• Knowledge of Performance & Reward systems to align employee performance with business outcomes.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to engage with multiple stakeholders.
• Project Management and Change Management experience to lead HR transformation initiatives effectively.

EXPERIENCES THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD HAVE:

• At least 8 years of HR experience, with a focus on Employee Relations, Industrial Relations, and Labor Relations.
• Experience working in a factory/manufacturing environment, preferably in well-known and established companies.
• Proven track record of successfully negotiating and implementing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA).
• Extensive experience working with unions, including handling disputes, grievances, and engagement initiatives.
• Strong background in compliance and labor law applications, with hands-on experience collaborating with regulatory bodies.
• Leadership experience in HR Business Partnering, ideally with exposure to other HR domains such as Rewards or HR Services (People Experience).
• Experience in designing and implementing employee engagement programs at a national or multi-site level.
• Proven ability to drive policy changes and ensure HR frameworks align with business and workforce needs.
• Background in Organization Development & Design to support structural and cultural transformations.
• Experience in Learning & Capability Development to build leadership and workforce competencies.
• Involvement in Performance & Reward programs, ensuring alignment with company goals.
• Strong track record in Project & Change Management, leading successful HR initiatives.

CANDIDATE WILL BE WORKING WITH:

• This role reports to the B&W Greater Asia HR Lead & Philippines Head of HR
• This role will work very closely with the Sourcing Unit Directors, Supply Chain Leads across Business Units and Factory Leadership Teams.
• This role will also collaborate with all roles in the HR operating framework: e.g. HRBPs

We highly encourage applicants to exclude information on age, gender, and school/s in view of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Unilever assesses candidates based on skills, performance, experience and leadership.