Job Description

Career Area: Human Resources
:
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Labor Relations Manager (Thiruvallur Facility, Tamil Nadu)
Caterpillar India Private Limited, Thiruvallur is a unionized facility and has a workforce of 2000+ across production, support and management in permanent and contractual roles.
Employment Type: -
Full time
Reporting & Team:-
- Reports to: Plant HR Leader
- Team: Leads a team of IR /compliance members and partners closely with Plant Leadership, COE, Legal, EHS, and external stakeholders.
Job purpose:

• Establishing and maintaining excellent labour-management relations to promote a positive relations within the organization.
• Overseeing and guiding the resolution of all types of labour relations issues including collective bargaining agreements, grievance procedures, arbitration, etc.
• Leading a team of Labour Relations /compliance professionals and collaborate effectively with Centers of Excellence and assisting all levels of management on labour/union matters.
• Advise and govern the direct and contract workforce programs in the organization ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Maintain the welfare and security services at optimum levels to enhance employee experience.

Key Responsibilities: -

• Labor/Union Strategy & Engagement

- Own the facility IR/LR strategy, union relationship management, and climate monitoring; plan & execute collective bargaining, long term settlements, welfare committees' engagements.
- Guide leaders on labour/union matters, including grievance handling, domestic inquiries, disciplinary actions ; ensure fair, timely, and consistent outcomes.
- Maintain constructive day to day shop floor engagement; act as a trusted, visible presence across all shifts.

• Compliance & Policy Governance: -

- Ensure full compliance with applicable Indian labour laws and state rules (e.g., Standing Orders, factories requirements, social security and wage regulations), and proactively implement evolving labour law/code reforms.
- Localize, deploy, and audit facility labour practices and site specific SOPs; align to enterprise code of conduct, HR policies, and compliance procedures.
- Maintain documentation and case records; lead internal/external audits, statutory inspections, and respond to notices.

• Risk Management & Issue Prevention: -

- Anticipate IR risks through trend analysis (absenteeism, grievances, discipline, productivity, overtime, safety); design early warning controls and prevention plans.
- Lead incident response and business continuity planning for labour disruptions; drive swift stabilization and recovery.

• Workforce Productivity & Change Enablement: -

- Partner with Operations to align IR policies/ practices with productivity, skill development, safety culture, employee engagement and continuous improvement.
- Support organization changes (shift structures, staffing models, technology adoption) through transparent communication and fair implementation.

• Stakeholder Management & Communication: -

- Build trusted relationships with union representatives, workmen committees, government officials, external counsels, auditors and other service providers.
- Coach leaders and supervisors on labor practice excellence; deliver training on labour laws , Settlements, Standing orders and effective supervision.

• Data, Metrics & Governance: -

- Own labor relations dashboards and governance cadence; review KPIs with Plant LT/HR monthly and quarterly.
- Prepare periodic reports (settlement status, case aging, audit findings, IR climate index, legal exposure, cost of disputes).

• Success Metrics (KPIs):-

- Timely closure of grievances and disciplinary cases; reduced case aging.
- Zero/limited non compliances in audits and statutory inspections.
- Ontime Settlements concluded without work stoppage, improved IR climate score.
- Productivity and safety improvement linked to IR initiatives.
- Training coverage and leader capability on labour practices.
Qualifications: -
- Master's in HR/IR/Labor Studies/Law (or equivalent). LL.B/LL.M is an advantage.
- 10-15+ years of progressive ER/IR experience in large, unionized manufacturing facilities; proven track record of leading collective bargaining/settlements.
- Strong command of Indian labour laws and State rules; experience in implementing labour code reforms and policy changes.
- Demonstrated ability to lead ER/IR teams, coach leaders, and manage complex cases, inquiries, and arbitrations.
- Excellent relationship building, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills; high integrity and judgment.
-Language: Fluency in Tamil and English strongly preferred for effective union/shop floor engagement.
Relocation is available for this position.
Posting Dates: January 21, 2026 - January 29, 2026
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply
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Skills Required