A key leadership opportunity has emerged for a seasoned HR professional to take on a high-impact role at a major plant site in Ibaraki Prefecture. This role offers immediate visibility, strategic involvement, and the opportunity to shape workforce planning, talent acquisition, and learning initiatives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. With the current incumbent planning a transition in the next 6–12 months, this position presents a unique succession opportunity for a proactive HR leader ready to step into the spotlight.

About the Role

The role—likely titled Director, Senior Manager, or Manager of Human Resources—will lead HR operations across six sites, including the core plant in Shimotsuma. While the official job title is yet to be finalized, the position is critical and will be central to maintaining organizational agility through workforce scaling, capability development, and leadership alignment.

Location: While the plant is located in Shimotsuma, candidates are strongly encouraged to reside in nearby Tsukuba, known for its international community and livability. The role requires a strong onsite presence (3–5 days per week) and the flexibility to handle operational needs on short notice.

Responsibilities

Workforce Planning & Labor Management

• Drive labor scalability based on business cycles, with oversight of ~330 permanent and ~180 temporary employees.
• Manage staffing across six operational sites, including two special-needs farms, two warehouses, and a Tokyo office.

Talent Acquisition

• Lead blue-collar recruitment efforts and optimize shop floor hiring.
• Oversee partnerships with RPO vendors (e.g., Randstad) and build pipelines aligned with growth or contraction phases.

Training & Development

• Build and execute L&D programs focused on frontline workforce and corporate staff.
• Shape onboarding and ongoing training programs to support productivity and retention.

Culture & Engagement

• Promote a cohesive culture across diverse work environments.
• Serve as an employee champion, enhancing engagement and aligning HR practices with organizational values.

Strategic Business Partnership

• Participate in leadership team discussions and influence key decisions.
• Serve as a visible, trusted HR advisor in a high-pressure, results-driven environment.

Requirements

Professional Experience

• HR Generalist background with strengths in talent acquisition and learning & development.
• Preferred: Experience in manufacturing or plant environments, especially in scaling workforces.

Language Skills

• Bilingual proficiency: Business-level English (for global stakeholder communication) and Japanese (for plant operations) are essential.

Mobility & Presence

• Ability to commute to Shimotsuma 3–5 days per week.
• Willingness to live in or near Tsukuba, offering balance between business access and lifestyle.

Personal Traits

• Proactive and ambitious—someone who actively seeks the role rather than passively accepts it.
• Comfortable with visibility, high-pressure situations, and navigating multiple stakeholders.

Nice to Have

• Familiarity with plant culture, operations, and blue-collar workforce dynamics.
• No strong requirement for labor union negotiations or payroll expertise.

Why Apply

Immediate Business Impact: Be at the heart of operational decision-making and see your work influence outcomes daily.

Leadership Visibility: Regularly engage with senior leaders in a high-stakes, high-reward environment.

International Lifestyle in Tsukuba:

• Family-friendly and culturally diverse city with proximity to Tokyo.
• International school access (though limited availability), global community, and quality-of-life amenities like Costco.

Strategic Succession Opportunity: This is a rare chance to step into a leadership role due to a planned transition, offering a clear path to long-term career growth.