Senior HR / Assistant HR Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a skilled and proactive Senior HR / Assistant HR Manager to lead comprehensive HR functions. The successful candidate will manage all phases of the employee lifecycle including recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluation, employee engagement, compensation and benefits administration, payroll coordination, policy implementation, compliance, training, and HR operations. Preference is given to candidates with experience in trading, distribution, FMCG, or retail sectors and those familiar with JAFZA regulations and UAE labor laws.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment activities across all departments by collaborating with hiring managers, sourcing candidates, conducting interviews, and handling offer negotiations and onboarding.
• Oversee employee lifecycle processes such as onboarding, confirmation, transfers, exits, and maintaining HR records and documentation, ensuring adherence to HR policies and procedures.
• Manage HR functions related to JAFZA including employee registration, visa processing, contract management, and regulatory compliance.
• Address employee grievances and disciplinary issues while fostering positive employee relations and workplace culture.
• Coordinate annual performance appraisal cycles, assist managers in KPI setting and performance improvement planning, and monitor employee development.
• Administer payroll processes in coordination with finance, manage benefits, leave, insurance, and ensure accurate payroll inputs and statutory deductions.
• Identify organizational training requirements, arrange relevant training sessions, and oversee succession planning initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and internal policies, safeguard employee confidentiality, and prepare HR analytics and reports supporting audits.
• Maintain accurate employee data in HRIS/ERP systems, generate reports and dashboards, and recommend process improvements through automation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related discipline; MBA or postgraduate HR qualification is preferred.
• 8 to 12+ years of broad HR expertise, ideally within trading, distribution, FMCG, retail, or manufacturing industries.
• Proven hands-on management of HR operations in JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) with strong knowledge of UAE labor laws and free zone regulations.
• Experience working with HRMS or ERP systems is essential.