HR Manager

Dayco is a global leader in the research, design, manufacturing, and distribution of essential engine drive systems. With a 120-year legacy, we deliver high-performance aftermarket solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our customers. We create value through delivering efficient products and services coupled with reliable, innovative solutions. Partnering with major automotive, industrial, and aftermarket customers, our teams focus on continuous improvement, sustainability, and customer-driven innovation.

About The Role
Role Purpose: lead the full HR agenda for the Abruzzo operations, acting as a strategic partner to local leadership while aligning with global HR priorities, Italian labor law, and the wider business strategy. This role carries end-to-end responsibility for organization, talent, performance, employee relations, and industrial relations across three plants, an R&D center, and selected corporate teams. It operates in a matrix with global HR, the Italy HR community, and other business units. What You Will Do
• Lead the full HR agenda for the Abruzzo operations, covering three manufacturing plants, one R&D center, and selected corporate teams.
• Act as a trusted strategic partner and coach to plant, site, and functional leaders on all people-related matters.
• Own Italian industrial relations end-to-end, including union negotiations, RSU/RSA engagement, CCNL and company-level agreements, disputes, strikes, conciliation, and collective restructuring procedures.
• Ensure full compliance with Italian labor law, national collective agreements, and company policies while managing complex employee relations cases.
• Drive workforce planning, organization design, talent acquisition, succession planning, performance management, and capability development.
• Partner with Total Rewards and HR Operations on compensation, benefits, payroll, HR systems, and pay transparency compliance.
• Collaborate closely with global HR teams, the wider Italy HR team, and HR peers in other business units to align local practices with global frameworks.
• Lead, develop, and motivate the local HR team while promoting a culture of accountability, integrity, collaboration, and safety. Qualifications
• 10+ years of progressive HR experience, with at least 5 years in an HR leadership role within a multinational, manufacturing, industrial, or R&D-intensive environment.
• Deep, hands-on experience in Italian industrial relations is essential; you must have personally led union negotiations and managed complex union environments in Italy.
• Strong knowledge of Italian labor law, CCNL, company-level agreements, RSU/RSA dynamics, and the Italian industrial relations culture.
• Proven ability to operate in a matrix organization with global HR, cross-business, and cross-country stakeholders.
• Experience supporting multiple sites, plants, or a distributed workforce is required.
• Fluent in Italian and English; additional languages are a plus.
• Degree in HR, Law, Economics, Business, Psychology, or a related field.
• High integrity, discretion, strong business acumen, and excellent relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to travel regularly across Abruzzo sites and occasionally internationally.

What We Offer
• A senior, strategic HR leadership role within a multinational environment.
• Direct exposure to global HR teams, multiple business units, and key Italian stakeholders.
• Company car
• Permanent contract and meaningful long-term career development
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Location:
Abruzzo, Italy
• Reports to: Abruzzo Operations Director (business line); Global HR Director (functional line)
• Workplace Type: On-site Join the Dayco Team At Dayco, we are more than a global leader in automotive solutions. We are a team of people driven by innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Joining Dayco means becoming part of an organization that values its people, encourages new ideas, and provides opportunities to make a meaningful impact. We believe our success comes from our people. We are committed to fostering a workplace where individuals are encouraged to bring their skills, ideas, and unique perspectives to help shape our future, and Move Forward, Always Equal Employment Opportunity Dayco is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, employment decisions are made on merit, skills, and business needs, and all qualified candidates are considered fairly, regardless of race, age, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, cultural background, disability, or any other protected attribute. The Pay Range For This Role Is 60,000
- 80,000 EUR per year(Abruzzo, Italy)