Sr. Associate, Human Resources - Malaysia - MTO

Serve as a strategic Human Resources Business Partner for Talent Acquisition, supporting workforce planning, hiring strategies, and end-to-end recruitment delivery—particularly for Temporary Fixed-Term Direct Labor (local and foreign workforce). This role partners closely with Hiring Managers, HR Business Partners, and functional leaders to attract and secure top talent while ensuring compliance with regulatory and business requirements.

Additionally, the role acts as a key liaison with government authorities and external stakeholders, while fostering partnerships with universities to build sustainable talent pipelines.

• Partner with Hiring Managers to review manpower plans, validate hiring justifications, and develop effective recruitment strategies aligned to business needs.
• Lead end-to-end recruitment processes, including sourcing, selection, and hiring, to deliver high-quality and diverse talent pipelines.
• Support and implement efficient, cost-effective recruitment programs in line with corporate Talent Acquisition frameworks.
• Provide market intelligence and insights on recruitment trends to support business decision-making.

Recruitment Operations Excellence

• Ensure accuracy and efficiency across the Talent Acquisition lifecycle, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and offer management.
• Analyze recruitment metrics and provide data-driven recommendations to improve hiring outcomes.
• Manage vendor relationships (RPOs, recruitment agencies), including RFQ processes, contract management, and monthly invoice validation.
• Ensure effective utilization of Workday and other recruitment systems to support hiring processes.

Talent Strategy & Continuous Improvement

• Conduct analysis and research on recruitment challenges and propose practical solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in recruitment processes, including Job Description management and process optimization.
• Contribute to Talent Acquisition projects, recruitment campaigns, and career events.

Cost & Policy Management

• Monitor and manage monthly Talent Acquisition costs, supporting annual budget planning and cost optimization initiatives.
• Support periodic review and enhancement of Talent Acquisition policies and procedures.

Onboarding & Employee Experience

• Support site onboarding programs, including buddy systems, to ensure smooth integration of new hires.

Foreign Workforce & Government Relations

• Manage employment pass and work permit processes for non-local employees (quota application, renewal, cancellation, etc.).
• Act as the main coordinator with government bodies (e.g., Immigration, Embassy, SOCSO, Labour Office) on employment-related matters.
• Maintain strong relationships with relevant authorities and external institutions, including universities, to support workforce sustainability.

Business Partnering & Project Support

• Support HR Director and HR Business Partners on strategic initiatives, HR projects, and ad hoc business needs.
• Act as a key coordinator across stakeholders to ensure alignment and execution of HR initiatives.

Requirements

• Minimum Diploma in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field with at least 5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor’s Degree in HR, Business Administration, or equivalent is preferred; experience in large manufacturing, medical, or pharmaceutical industries is an added advantage.
• Candidate with IT background will be an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of Malaysia Employment Act and Labour Laws.
• Proven experience in Direct Labour hiring, including management of foreign workers (quota application, renewal, termination).
• Hands-on experience working with government authorities (e.g., Immigration Department, SOCSO, Labour Office, embassies).
• Strong stakeholder management and coordination skills across internal and external partners.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficient in both Bahasa Malaysia and English (written and spoken).
• Experience with HR systems (e.g., Workday) and vendor management is an advantage.