HR Deputy Director

We are seeking a senior HR leader to head the full Human Resources function across our food/beverage manufacturing, retail (~80 outlets) and Head Office operations. Reporting directly to the Founder/Company Owner, this role serves as a trusted strategic adviser to the Senior Management Team, balancing high-level HR strategy with hands-on operational involvement. The successful candidate will be commercially driven, visible, and comfortable working across the boardroom, factory floor and retail outlets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic HR & Advisory

• Act as strategic HR Business Partner to the Founder and Senior Management Team
• Advise on org structure, succession planning, leadership development, remuneration and organisational transformation
• Translate business strategy into practical, commercially sound HR initiatives

Workforce Planning

• Develop workforce strategies across Retail, Manufacturing and HQ, covering ~80 retail outlets and manufacturing operations
• Oversee recruitment, deployment and succession planning for critical roles
• Monitor productivity, absenteeism, overtime and turnover; recommend optimisation initiatives
• Develop contingency staffing plans (cross-deployment, relief staff, multi-skilling)

Talent Acquisition & Manpower Strategy

• Build long-term recruitment strategies, talent pipelines and employer branding
• Develop local and foreign manpower sourcing strategies; ensure compliance with EP/S Pass/Work Permit requirements
• Liaise with recruitment agencies and government authorities

Learning, Performance & Rewards

• Design competency frameworks, training plans and leadership development programmes
• Own the annual performance appraisal framework, KPIs and calibration process
• Design and implement bonus, incentive, recognition and retention programmes

Employee Engagement & HR Governance

• Drive engagement initiatives, including the annual Town Hall (~500 employees)
• Maintain the Employee Handbook and HR policies; ensure compliance with employment legislation
• Conduct new employee orientation and onboarding programmes

HR Analytics & Team Leadership

• Translate HR data into business insights via dashboards and reports
• Lead, coach and develop the HR team; build a high-performing department
• Provide HR leadership across regional operations, standardising policies where relevant

Requirements

• Degree in HR Management, Business Administration or related field
• 10–15 years of progressive HR leadership experience
• Experience in manufacturing, retail or FMCG highly desirable
• Experience in a local SME or owner-managed business environment an advantage
• Proven track record leading organisational transformation and workforce planning
• Strong business acumen, stakeholder management, and communication skills across all levels of the organisation, including staff with limited formal academic qualifications
• High emotional intelligence, integrity, and a hands-on, adaptable leadership style suited to a fast-paced SME environment