HR Business Partner – Plant HR

Position Title: HR Business Partner – Plant HR Location: Nairobi Reporting To: Country Head Note: The position is open only for Kenyan nationals. Role Purpose The HR Business Partner (HRBP) will act as a strategic and operational partner to the Management team at our client’s plant, driving people strategies that enable productivity, quality, safety, and cost efficiency. The role focuses on building a skilled, compliant, and high-performing workforce aligned with the company’s growth ambitions in the paints and coatings industry. Key Responsibilities 1. Strategic HR Business Partnering • Collaborate with Country Head and functional leaders to align HR initiatives with production and business goals • Translate organizational HR strategy into plant-level execution plans • Drive workforce productivity, cost optimization, and operational efficiency initiatives • Support change management initiatives (automation, process improvements, expansion projects) 2. Talent Acquisition & Workforce Planning • Plan and manage manpower requirements (permanent and contract workforce) • Manage onboarding programs to accelerate operational readiness • Implement induction programs for new hires • Lead end-to-end recruitment for plant roles (operators, technicians, quality, maintenance etc.) • Ensure timely hiring aligned with production schedules and capacity expansion • Build talent pipelines for critical and technical roles. 3. Performance Management & Productivity • Drive goal setting and performance management processes across plant teams • Align KPIs with production targets, quality standards, and safety metrics • Partner with line managers to improve team productivity and accountability • Support performance improvement plans and capability enhancement 5. HR Operations & Employee Lifecycle Management • Oversee onboarding, confirmation, transfers, and exit processes • Ensure accurate maintenance of employee records and HRMS systems • Manage attendance, leave, and shift scheduling in coordination with operations • Ensure smooth HR service delivery at the plant 7. Compliance & Governance • Ensure adherence to local labor laws, factory regulations, and company policies • Maintain statutory records and support audits and inspections • Partner with internal stakeholders to ensure governance standards are met • Drive compliance awareness among employees and supervisors   8. Employee Engagement & Culture Building • Drive engagement initiatives suited to plant workforce demographics • Strengthen communication between management and employees • Support initiatives to enhance morale, retention, and workplace satisfaction • Promote company values and ethical practices on the shop floor Requirements Qualifications & Experience • MBA / PGDM in Human Resources • 8 years of HR experience in manufacturing / plant HR set up. • Experience in paints, chemicals, or FMCG manufacturing preferred • Strong exposure to HR operations, talent management, and compliance Key Competencies • Strong business and operational understanding • Data-driven decision-making and analytical mindset (excellent skills in MS Excel mandatory) • Execution excellence and attention to detail • Problem-solving and process improvement orientation Behavioral Attributes • Hands-on, proactive, and solution-oriented • High ownership and accountability • Strong interpersonal and communication skills • Ability to work in a fast-paced plant environment Additional Requirements • Willingness to be based at plant location • Flexibility to align with plant working hours and production cycles • Familiarity with ERP/HRMS systems