Chaberton Professionals, a division of Chaberton Partners dedicated to the research and selection of Middle & Top Management profiles, is currently looking for an
HR Plant Manager
for an international leader in manufacturing industry.
Position
The HR Plant Manager will act as the People Manager for the Group's main manufacturing site, playing a pivotal role in ensuring effective people management, industrial stability, and the consistent local execution of the Group People Agenda.
The role reports directly to the HR Director and functionally to the Plant Director, acting as a true sparring partner to plant leadership on all HR-related matters, including industrial relations strategy, workforce management, and organizational development at site level.
A strong presence on the shop floor, hands-on management of unionized populations, and deep expertise in industrial relations and employee management are key success factors for this position.
He/she will be responsible for the following activities:
Industrial Relations & Employee Management (Core Focus)
* Act as the primary HR counterpart for Trade Unions and social partners at plant level, managing day-to-day industrial relations.
* Lead and support union negotiations and collective bargaining processes, in close coordination with the HR Director.
* Ensure the correct application of collective labor agreements, union-related procedures, and employee relations frameworks.
* Closely monitor the industrial climate, anticipating risks and proactively managing conflicts, disputes, or sensitive situations.
* Provide hands-on support to line management on disciplinary matters, grievances, attendance management, and workforce issues, particularly for blue-collar populations.
* Guarantee full compliance with labor law, internal policies, and procedures in a highly regulated context.
HR Partnership with Plant Leadership
* Act as a trusted HR Business Partner and sparring partner to the Plant Director, contributing to people-related strategies and decisions.
* Support Plant Management in aligning people, organization, and capabilities with operational and production objectives.
* Drive the local rollout of the Group People Agenda, ensuring coherence with corporate HR guidelines while addressing site-specific needs.
People Development & Engagement
* Support line managers and supervisors in the day-to-day management of people, promoting a respectful, performance-oriented, and compliant workplace culture.
* Contribute to initiatives aimed at engagement, motivation, and retention, with a strong focus on manufacturing and shop-floor populations.
* Coordinate training and development activities for blue- and white-collar employees, aligned with operational, quality, and skill requirements.
* Support performance management processes and the development of leadership and supervisory capabilities within the plant.
HR Operations & Team Leadership
* Oversee all core HR processes at plant level (organization, workforce planning, performance management, C&B administration, training).
* Lead and develop the local HR team, ensuring effective daily HR coverage and a strong service mindset toward the business.
* Ensure effective collaboration within a matrix organization, aligning site-level actions with central HR policies and standards.
Requirements
* 7–10 years of HR experience in industrial or manufacturing environments, preferably within highly regulated and unionized contexts.
* Proven, hands-on experience in Industrial Relations, union negotiations, and employee relations at plant level.
* Strong exposure to blue-collar workforce management and shop-floor dynamics.
* Solid understanding of labor law and compliance requirements in complex industrial settings.
* Pragmatic, hands-on approach, with a strong presence on the shop floor and the ability to engage credibly with all levels of the organization.
* Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict management skills.
* Experience in multinational organizations and matrix structures is considered a plus.
Location
: L'Aquila, Abruzzo