Career Area:

Human Resources

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other.  We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Labor Relations Manager (Thiruvallur Facility, Tamil Nadu)

Caterpillar India Private Limited, Thiruvallur is a unionized facility and has a workforce of 2000+ across production, support and management in permanent and contractual roles.
 Employment Type: -
Full time

 Reporting & Team:-
- Reports to: Plant HR Leader
- Team: Leads a team of IR /compliance members and partners closely with Plant Leadership, COE, Legal, EHS, and external stakeholders.

Job purpose:
• Establishing and maintaining excellent labour-management relations to promote a positive relations within the organization.
• Overseeing and guiding the resolution of all types of labour relations issues including collective bargaining agreements, grievance procedures, arbitration, etc.
• Leading a team of Labour Relations /compliance professionals and collaborate effectively with Centers of Excellence and assisting all levels of management on labour/union matters.
• Advise and govern the direct and contract workforce programs in the organization ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Maintain the welfare and security services at optimum levels to enhance employee experience.
 Key Responsibilities: -
•    Labor/Union Strategy & Engagement
-    Own the facility IR/LR strategy, union relationship management, and climate monitoring; plan & execute collective bargaining, long term settlements, welfare committees’ engagements.
-    Guide leaders on labour/union matters, including grievance handling, domestic inquiries, disciplinary actions ; ensure fair, timely, and consistent outcomes.
-    Maintain constructive day to day shop floor engagement; act as a trusted, visible presence across all shifts.
 

•    Compliance & Policy Governance: -
-    Ensure full compliance with applicable Indian labour laws and state rules (e.g., Standing Orders, factories requirements, social security and wage regulations), and proactively implement evolving labour law/code reforms.
-    Localize, deploy, and audit facility labour practices and site specific SOPs; align to enterprise code of conduct, HR policies, and compliance procedures.
-    Maintain documentation and case records; lead internal/external audits, statutory inspections, and respond to notices.
 
•    Risk Management & Issue Prevention: -
-    Anticipate IR risks through trend analysis (absenteeism, grievances, discipline, productivity, overtime, safety); design early warning controls and prevention plans.
-    Lead incident response and business continuity planning for labour disruptions; drive swift stabilization and recovery.
 
•    Workforce Productivity & Change Enablement: -
-    Partner with Operations to align IR policies/ practices with productivity, skill development, safety culture, employee engagement and continuous improvement.
-    Support organization changes (shift structures, staffing models, technology adoption) through transparent communication and fair implementation.
 
•    Stakeholder Management & Communication: -
-    Build trusted relationships with union representatives, workmen committees, government officials, external counsels, auditors and other service providers.
-    Coach leaders and supervisors on labor practice excellence; deliver training on labour laws , Settlements, Standing orders and effective supervision.

•    Data, Metrics & Governance: -
-    Own labor relations dashboards and governance cadence; review KPIs with Plant LT/HR monthly and quarterly.
-    Prepare periodic reports (settlement status, case aging, audit findings, IR climate index, legal exposure, cost of disputes).

•    Success Metrics (KPIs):-
-    Timely closure of grievances and disciplinary cases; reduced case aging.
-    Zero/limited non compliances in audits and statutory inspections.
-    Ontime Settlements concluded without work stoppage, improved IR climate score.
-    Productivity and safety improvement linked to IR initiatives.
-    Training coverage and leader capability on labour practices.
 
Qualifications: -
- Master’s in HR/IR/Labor Studies/Law (or equivalent). LL.B/LL.M is an advantage.
- 10–15+ years of progressive ER/IR experience in large, unionized manufacturing facilities; proven track record of leading collective bargaining/settlements.
- Strong command of Indian labour laws and State rules; experience in implementing labour code reforms and policy changes.
- Demonstrated ability to lead ER/IR teams, coach leaders, and manage complex cases, inquiries, and arbitrations.
- Excellent relationship building, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills; high integrity and judgment.
-Language: Fluency in Tamil and English strongly preferred for effective union/shop floor engagement.

Relocation is available for this position.

Posting Dates:

January 21, 2026 - January 29, 2026

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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