Human Resources Manager

 POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Human Resources Manager Mexico serves as the primary HR business partner for the Mexico organization, supporting leaders and employees across the full employee lifecycle. This role ensures effective execution of people processes while aligning local practices with WAI’s global HR policies and standards, adapting them as needed to meet Mexican regulatory and business requirements. 

The position plays a critical role in maintaining compliance, ensuring accurate and timely payroll and benefits administration, and supporting talent, performance, engagement, and employee relations outcomes. The role also supports local office and administrative operations and provides HR support to Mexico-based employees reporting into global or regional teams. 

This position is part of the Global HR team, reporting to the Global VP of Human Resources with a dotted line to the Mexico Managing Director, and works in close partnership with global HR Business Partners, Global Payroll and Benefits team, and Corporate Recruiters.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead local recruiting and onboarding activities, managing the applicant tracking system and supporting organizational structure and workforce planning to meet business needs. 
• Partner with leaders to support talent management, leadership effectiveness, employee development, and succession through coaching and practical HR guidance. 
• Drive performance management processes, including goal setting, feedback, recognition, and performance improvement plans, aligned with global frameworks. 
• Coordinate payroll, benefits, and compensation processes in partnership with global team and local providers, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. 
• Foster employee engagement and morale through efficient communication, engagement initiatives, and office-based celebrations aligned with WAI culture. 
• Act as the primary point of contact for employee relations matters, supporting leaders and employees with issue resolution, compliance, and fair, consistent practices. 
• Collaborate on the design and implementation of organizational strategies and change management. 
• Ensure alignment with global HR policies while localizing content and practices as required by Mexican labor regulations; monitor legislative changes and advise on required adjustments.  
• Maintain high data quality in HR systems and contribute to process improvement, automation, and efficiency initiatives using digital and AI-enabled tools. 
• Support office operations and administrative needs, including vendor coordination for office services and limited warehouse-related administrative support as required. 
• Serve as the local HR focal point for global HR initiatives and cross-regional projects involving Mexico-based employees.  
• Contribute as a project leader or participant in various departmental and business line initiatives 
• Undertakes additional responsibilities and tasks as directed by management. 

 QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience, & Skills required) 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Psychology, or equivalent professional experience. Preferred: Master’s degree.  

Experience:  

• Required minimum of 8 years of progressive Human Resources experience, including at least 3 years in HR management or senior HR roles 
• Experience supporting both white-collar and hourly employee populations; experience working in multinational environments and operating in English. 
• Preferred experience working with global teams and supporting warehouse or production environments 
• Relevant industries/regions: Automotive industry or manufacturing preferred 

Competencies: 

Core Competencies & Leadership Attributes 

• Core competencies: Collaboration, sense of ownership, results orientation, internal customer focus, business acumen, continuous improvement, process automation and efficiency 
• Role-specific competencies: Stakeholder management, coaching leaders and employees, employee relations management, role-modeling WAI values, behaviors, and safety standard 
• Leadership expectations: Exercises indirect leadership through influence; effectively partners with the Managing Director and cross-functional stakeholders to drive People outcomes. 

Skills:  

• Clear and effective communication 
• Strong organization and prioritization 
• Practical problem solving and sound judgment 
• Adaptability and comfort with change 
• Proactive mindset with willingness to take initiative 
• Service-oriented and supportive approach 

Systems and tools:  

• Microsoft Office 365, HRIS platforms, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), AI/LLM-enabled tools.  
• Advanced proficiency across required systems and tools; comfortable using AI-enabled tools, automation, and digital platforms to improve efficiency and decision-making 

Languages: Required fluent Spanish and professional proficiency in English. 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:  

This role requires travel of up to 10%. Travel may include domestic travel to support business operations and collaboration with local teams, and occasional international travel to the US or other locations for meetings as needed.