Human Resources Director Malaysia

Coherent Corp is the global leader in photonics, designing and manufacturing advanced laser, optical, and materials technologies. Our innovations power semiconductor manufacturing, AI infrastructure, advanced communications, and precision industrial systems worldwide. With a global footprint and cutting-edge manufacturing and R&D, we’re shaping the future of high-tech industries.

SHAPE THE FUTURE OF HR AT COHERENT

Coherent is seeking an experienced Human Resources Director to lead our HR function across our Malaysia operations. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the people agenda across our manufacturing sites in Ipoh and Penang, partnering closely with business leaders to support operational excellence, business growth and organisational capability.

As the senior HR leader in Malaysia, you will lead the local HR team, provide trusted counsel to senior leadership, and work collaboratively with regional HR Centres of Excellence, Shared Services and Talent Acquisition to deliver an exceptional employee experience while ensuring compliance with Malaysian employment legislation.

What You'll Do:
 

Strategic Business Partnering

• Partner with senior business leaders to develop and execute workforce, organisational and people strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Act as the trusted HR advisor to manufacturing, engineering and corporate leadership teams.
• Drive organisational effectiveness, employee engagement, succession planning and workforce capability.
• Collaborate with HR Centres of Excellence, Shared Services and Talent Acquisition to deliver integrated HR solutions.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex people and organisational matters.
• Build productive relationships with government agencies and external stakeholders.

HR Leadership & Employee Relations

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing HR team across Malaysia.
• Provide expert guidance on employee relations, performance management, disciplinary, grievance and restructuring matters.
• Ensure consistent application of company policies, employment legislation and HR best practices.
• Lead organisational change and transformation initiatives.
• Maintain robust HR governance, compliance and risk management practices.

Talent & Organisational Development

• Lead workforce planning across multiple sites, including headcount planning, succession and organisational design.
• Partner with business leaders to strengthen leadership capability and talent pipelines.
• Use workforce data and employee insights to improve engagement and retention.
• Support strategic recruitment initiatives and employer branding alongside Talent Acquisition.

Reward, Operations & Analytics

• Partner with Total Rewards to deliver competitive compensation and benefits programmes.
• Lead annual salary reviews, performance and bonus processes.
• Provide workforce analytics and market intelligence to support business decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement across HR systems, processes and data quality, including Oracle HRIS.
• Work closely with HR Shared Services to ensure effective employee lifecycle support.
   

Compliance & Government Relations

• Lead HR compliance across Malaysia, ensuring adherence to employment legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Manage government relationships relating to workforce planning and employment matters.
• Oversee foreign worker employment processes and associated compliance.
• Support workforce initiatives involving relevant Malaysian government authorities.
• Maintain audit readiness and drive corrective actions where required.
• Provide HR support to Thailand when required.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, Business, Law, Industrial Relations or a related discipline.
• 10–15 years of progressive HR leadership experience within a multinational organisation.
• Proven experience leading HR Business Partnering teams in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Strong manufacturing, engineering, industrial, semiconductor or electronics industry experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Employee relations and employment law
  • Workforce planning and organisational design
  • Change management and organisational transformation
  • Talent management, succession planning and leadership development
• Experience leading and developing HR teams.
• Strong knowledge of Malaysian employment legislation and labour practices.
• Experience using HRIS platforms such as Oracle.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Highly Desirable

• Experience managing foreign worker programmes and workforce compliance.
• Government relations and stakeholder management experience.
• Experience supporting multiple sites or countries within the Asia-Pacific region.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple locations

 

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position:
 

🤝 Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

✨ Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

🎯 Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

🌍 Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

🚀 Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.