Objectives of the role:

Developing and implementing industrial relations strategies that align with organisational objectives. Managing relationships with unions & ensuring that the Company's treatment of employees is consistent with its core business values and objectives. Establishing and fostering positive relationships between management, employees, and trade unions. Negotiating and managing collective bargaining agreements to ensure fair and equitable outcomes. Addressing employee grievances and disputes, ensuring timely and effective resolution. Advising management on labour laws, compliance requirements, and best practices in employee relations. Leading efforts to ensure a harmonious workplace environment and minimise labour conflicts. Conducting regular audits of industrial relations practices to ensure compliance and fairness. Your tasks: Statutory compliance: Own employment compliance, ensure responses to notices / inspections are timely, address employee representative topics. Audits: Periodic audits to ensure compliance Represents organization in collective bargaining negotiations, meetings, and negotiations with employee and labor organizations, ensuring alignment with business goals. Collaborates with legal counsel and departments in the preparation and participation in collective negotiation and other related Employment Relations topics. Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including legal counsel and government agencies. Handle employee grievances and disciplinary procedures as per company policies and legal requirements. Conduct investigations into workplace issues and provide recommendations for resolution. Monitor industrial disputes, strikes, and other work stoppages, and take steps to prevent or mitigate their impact. Advise senior management on emerging trends in labour relations and their potential impact on the organisation. Track and report on industrial relations metrics, such as absenteeism, employee turnover, and dispute resolution times. Maintain accurate and detailed records of all industrial relations activities, including grievances, disciplinary actions, and union negotiations. Stay updated on the latest amendments to labour laws and ensure the company’s policies are updated accordingly.

Required skills and qualifications

Master’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law, or a related field. 7-10 years of proven experience as an Industrial Relations Manager or in a similar role focused on labour relations or industrial relations. Strong knowledge of Indian labour laws, collective bargaining processes, and best practices for employee relations. Expertise in handling employee disputes, grievances, and conflict resolution. Experience in managing industrial relations in a manufacturing or large-scale organisation. Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to handle complex employee issues. Experience in dealing with trade unions and managing large-scale industrial / organisational disputes. Ability to build and maintain relationships with employees, unions, and management. Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence decision-making. Analytical mindset with the ability to assess situations and provide practical solutions. Ability to manage relationships with trade unions and employee representatives. Previous experience in labour court representation and legal proceedings. Strong understanding of employee engagement and retention strategies. Multilingual proficiency to communicate with workers across diverse regions of India.

Preferred skills and qualifications

Experience with labour union negotiations in a diverse, multilingual workforce. Familiarity with dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration and mediation. Strong understanding of labour market trends and their impact on employee relations. Ability to develop and implement long-term strategies to improve industrial relations.