About the Opportunity
We’re proud to be partnering with an iconic brand in their search for a HR Business Partner. As the HR Business Partner for Ford New Zealand, you will serve as a key strategic partner to the local Leadership team and the broader Ford of Australia HR team. Covering Ford NZ’s Head Office and National Parts Distribution Centre (NPDC) operations (~60 employees across salaried and unionized hourly teams), you will lead end-to-end HR activities, champion a robust safety culture, and deliver people strategies that align directly with organisational goals.
This is a true end-to-end generalist position offering high visibility, leadership exposure, and ownership across employee relations, union negotiations and talent development.
Key responsibilities of this role will include;
- Standalone HR Leadership: Serve as the primary HR subject matter expert and trusted advisor for local People Leaders and the Managing Director in NZ.
- Regional Collaboration: Partner with the broader Ford of Australia (FoA) HR team to align local processes with regional governance and frameworks.
- Labour & Union Relations: Lead union relationships (FIRST Union), manage employee relations, and co-lead hourly enterprise bargaining alongside FoA HR support.
- Talent & Culture: Facilitate end-to-end recruitment, drive Performance+ initiatives, lead engagement surveys (Voice+), and coach managers through structural/organisational shifts.
- Health, Safety & Compliance: Support Directors, Safety and Training Specialist and Managing Director to manage the Health & Safety meetings and compliance needs.
What You’ll Bring
To succeed in this role, you will bring senior generalist experience and a confident, self-sufficient mindset. You are commercially savvy, resilient under pressure, and adept at navigating complex workplace dynamics and challenging conversations with empathy and authority;
- Min 5+ years HR Generalist / BP experience with strong NZ Employment Law & H&S knowledge.
- Hands-on Union & ER Experience: Demonstrated background managing union relationships and industrial negotiations.
- Autonomous Mindset: Proven ability to thrive as a standalone HR lead while collaborating seamlessly with remote regional teams.
- Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication skills with the capability to influence at all levels.
What’s on Offer
- Discounted lease car and fuel.
- Discounted health insurance.
- Free parking onsite.
- 1-day WFH flex
Next Steps?
To keep things simple, we ask that all applications are submitted through this advert. We’ll review applications as they come in and be in touch.
For specific questions give Michaela Brchlova a call on 027 305 9031 and quote Job ID: 18289 for a confidential chat.
To apply for this vacancy, you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.
At the appropriate stage we will request your references, we ask that you do not include them on your CV when applying.
Tribe is a group of specialist teams, each of who truly understand their world, and together they partner to understand yours. Whether you’re looking for your next opportunity or recruiting, we’re all about bringing people together for a shared purpose. Find your people.