Human Resources Director Plant Italy

We are supporting a multinational industrial company in the search for an HR Director to

lead the HR function of a large manufacturing plant (~900 employees).

The role sits within a matrix organization, with local reporting into Italy and functional

alignment with Germany, and operates in a post-restructuring environment, currently facing market and operational challenges.

Workplace: Emilia Romagna

Role

This is a critical, hands-on role at the heart of the business, with a strong emphasis on:

• Industrial relations and union management
• Workforce stability and cost control
• Supporting the plant through a complex phase of recovery and consolidation
• Ability to effectively engage and communicate with internal stakeholders across different functions
• You will partner closely with the CEO and other pillar leaders and act as a key interface between management, workforce, and international HR.
• Lead trade union relations and negotiations in a demanding environment
• Manage labour matters and disputes, both collective and individual
• Support the post-restructuring stabilization phase
• Ensure tight control of headcount and labour costs
• Drive pragmatic HR solutions aligned with operational needs
• Maintain compliance with Italian labour law and collective agreements
• Provide HR management support to pillar leaders in achieving their respective objectives

Key qualifications

• Solid HR leadership experience in industrial/manufacturing contexts –
• Strong track record in industrial relations
• Experience in challenging situations
• Hands-on, credible, and resilient
• Demonstrated experience in driving people engagement and development, as well as strengthening overall organizational effectiveness.
• Comfortable operating in a matrix, international environment

This role is ideal for an HR leader who combines operational pragmatism with strong industrial relations expertise, and is motivated to make an impact in a complex and evolving business environment.