Head of Human Resources / CHRO

The Head of Human Resources for a joint Public Transport and Solid Waste Management company is a dual strategic and operational leadership role responsible for managing a massive, highly unionised, and geographically dispersed workforce. This executive will oversee the entire employee lifecycle for thousands of frontline municipal workers, heavy vehicle drivers, mechanics, engineers, and administrative staff while ensuring unbroken daily public service operations.

Job Overview

Position Title	Head of Human Resources / CHRO
Department	Human Resources & Industrial Relations
Reports To	Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Managing Director / Vice President (VP)
Location	Corporate Headquarters (with frequent transit depot and waste plant site visits)

Core Responsibilities

1. Industrial Relations & Union Management

• Lead collective bargaining: Command negotiations with public transport and municipal worker labor unions.
• Resolve formal grievances: Establish rapid conflict resolution channels to prevent wildcat strikes or service disruptions.
• Manage dispute representation: Represent the company at labor courts, arbitration panels, and government compliance hearings.
• Maintain labor harmony: Build transparent, trust-based communication systems with shop stewards and union delegates.

2. Mass Blue-Collar Talent Acquisition

• Design field recruitment: Build scale-ready pipelines for heavy vehicle drivers, sanitation crews, and mechanics.
• Execute background screening: Enforce rigorous technical competency, medical fitness, and criminal background checks.
• Manage contingent labor: Oversee contracts and compliance for seasonal third-party manpower and warehouse contractors.
• Onboard frontline staff: Deploy accessible onboarding programs tailored for non-desk and field-based employees.

3. Statutory Compliance & Workplace Safety

• Enforce labor codes: Guarantee strict compliance with national, state, and local municipal employment acts.
• Oversee safety programs: Collaborate with environmental health and safety teams to enforce hazard mitigation for waste handling.
• Manage compliance audits: Direct all payroll, working hours, overtime tracking, and mandatory statutory reporting audits.
• Administer occupational health: Lead physical and mental wellness initiatives, substance testing, and workplace injury claims.

4. Compensation, Benefits & Payroll Operations

• Govern complex payroll: Oversee precise bi-weekly or monthly payroll distribution across multiple wage tiers and shift premiums.
• Structure public allowances: Administer public sector benefits, hazard pay, pension schemes, and comprehensive health insurance.
• Benchmark field wages: Analyze regional market data to ensure competitive base pays that curb driver and technician turnover.

5. Fleet & Field Training Systems

• Launch safety training: Coordinate mandatory defensive driving, route navigation, and biohazard waste handling certifications.
• Upskill technical staff: Create structured technical apprenticeship paths for EV transit mechanics and automated plant engineers.
• Develop supervisory tiers: Coach depot managers and field route supervisors in fair disciplinary and coaching frameworks.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Time-to-Fill Key Roles: Recruitment speed for critical operational roles like transit drivers and heavy machinery operators.
• Employee Turnover Rate: Retention levels among frontline field and maintenance personnel.
• Absenteeism Rate: Daily tracking of unscheduled staff absences across transport depots and collection sectors.
• Labor Dispute Resolution Time: Average days taken to resolve union grievances or worker disputes.
• Safety & Compliance Incidents: Number of regulatory non-compliance penalties or workplace safety infractions.

Job Requirements

Education & Certifications

• Master’s Degree: Required in Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, or Business Administration (MBA)/PGDM.
• Labor Law Certification: Strongly preferred specialization or postgraduate diploma in local labor legislation.

Experience

• Minimum 10 – 15 years: Progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years leading HR operations at a department head level.
• Industry Background: Prior experience in public transit, municipal solid waste management, logistics, or heavy infrastructure, Big Size Facility Management.
• Union Exposure: Proven track record handling active, large-scale blue-collar workforce unions and collective bargaining agreements.

Technical Skills & Competencies

• Deep mastery of: Labor Laws, Occupational Health & Safety regulations, and industrial dispute acts.
• Proficiency with: Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), biometric attendance systems, and automated payroll platforms.
• Exceptional: negotiation, active listening, and conflict de-escalation skills.