HR Manager – Montevideo

About the role

The company is launching a new industrial plant in Uruguay and needs a senior HR professional to build the entire Human Resources function from the ground up. This high‑impact, hands‑on role reports directly to local management and the corporate headquarters.

Key responsibilities

• Design and implement HR processes, policies, procedures and governance aligned with Uruguayan labor law and corporate standards.
• Define the organizational structure, staffing plan and personnel budgets for the plant start‑up.
• Lead recruitment and selection for all levels, from technical staff to senior management.
• Act as the primary labor‑relations advisor, manage employee cases and develop constructive relationships with unions and worker representatives.
• Coordinate collective bargaining, anticipate labor‑conflict risks and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Design salary structures, benefit plans and oversee monthly payroll processing.
• Implement performance‑management systems and drive training and development initiatives.
• Manage the HR budget, labor costs and key HR metrics.
• Build internal culture, communication and employee engagement in a newly created organization.

Required profile

• University degree in Human Resources, Administration, Labor Relations, Psychology, Law or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressive HR experience, preferably in manufacturing, mining, chemical or heavy‑industry environments.
• Previous experience as an HR Manager or equivalent leadership role.
• Proven ability to create HR processes, policies, systems and structures from scratch.
• Strong knowledge of Uruguayan labor legislation and local labor‑relations practices, including collective bargaining and union relations.
• Broad experience across recruitment, compensation, labor relations, performance management, workforce planning and HR operations.
• Excellent stakeholder‑management skills and a pragmatic, entrepreneurial mindset.
• Fluent Spanish and professional working English.

Required skills