Role title: IR & Compliance Lead

Location: Kochi

Team size: Individual Contributor

Reporting to: HR Head – Spices India

About Us: As a leading provider of high-quality food and beverage ingredients, we work with farming communities across the globe to grow, source and produce ingredients that are good for consumers, farmers, and the world around us. We supply household food brands and manufacturers worldwide with cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices ingredients which are often grown on our own farms and estates and sourced from hundreds of thousands of farmers across ~50 countries. Along with our diverse manufacturing and innovation capabilities, this means we can provide ingredients for a range of products, from a plant-based latte mix to an almond based snack bar or a dairy-free ice cream.

Making a positive impact on people and planet is a core component of our Purpose, to be the change for good food and a healthy future. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable, and transparent supply. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Spices: ofi is the world’s leading producer of dried garlic and onions, and a global leader in chiles, pepper, and tropical spices. Our extensive network and presence in origin markets ensure that our spice blends and solutions are sourced from some of the finest raw ingredients year-round. We oversee growing practices and operate world-class manufacturing facilities, working directly and transparently with farmer-partners to ensure high-quality, sustainable spice solutions and reliable supply.

As one of the largest global suppliers of spices and herbs, we source from all primary growing regions, offering a wide range of products including onion, garlic, chiles, pepper, parsley, and tropical spices. Our spices enhance recipes with superior provenance, taste, quality, color, and texture. Grown responsibly with our farmer partners, our spice ingredients form the foundation of flavors that delight consumers and ensure the future of our global supply chain. ofi offers a diverse portfolio of spices, herbs, and sauces, including organic options.

Position Overview The IR & Compliance Lead will have two fold role – factory HR lead for Kochi factory and COE for compliance pan India.

Industrial

Relations, HR Audits, Contract Workforce Management, Statutory Compliance, Government Liasioning,



and Factory Administration at the Kochi manufacturing facility. The role will also serve as the organization's pan-India labour law compliance SME, ensuring adherence to central and state regulations across all locations. The incumbent will drive next long term Settlement with unions, factory workforce costing, ensure statutory compliance, manage key external stakeholders, and support business continuity through effective workforce governance and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

Industrial Relations & Union Management:

- Act as the primary point of contact for labour unions and workmen at the Kochi manufacturing facility.
- Handle employee grievances, workplace disputes, and conflict resolution initiatives.
- Lead next Long-Term Settlement (LTS) negotiations/ wage settlement.
- Enforce LTS terms and conditions in factory
- Facilitate disciplinary actions, domestic enquiries, and grievance redressal mechanisms in line with Standing Orders and labour laws.
- Ensure industrial harmony and minimize disruption to plant operations.
- Develop preventive IR strategies to mitigate labour disputes and productivity concerns.

Contract Workforce Management:

- Manage end-to-end contract labour operations, including deployment, attendance monitoring, productivity tracking, and workforce planning.
- Ensure compliance with Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act and related statutory requirements.
- Conduct periodic contractor compliance audits and evaluate performance.

Government Liasioning & Stakeholder Management

- Build and maintain solid relationships with all local government officials, panchayats, police stations, Community Representatives
- Represent the company during statutory inspections, audits, hearings, and compliance reviews.
- Coordinate timely responses to notices, legal queries, and regulatory requirements.
- Facilitate approvals, licenses, renewals, and statutory registrations.
- Compliance Management (pan-India SME Role):
- Act as COE for statutory, labour and factory compliance for all locations
- Implementation of new Codes




- Develop and standardize compliance frameworks and audit processes.
- Monitor statutory filings and returns across locations.
- Conduct compliance reviews and risk assessments.
- Track labour law amendments and emerging regulatory requirements.
- Advise HR and business leaders on legal and compliance implications.

Factory Administration & General Services

- Oversee facility management activities including:
- Security Services, Housekeeping, Canteen Operations, Employee Transportation
- Monitor occupational health, hygiene, and workplace safety standards.
- Coordinate with EHS teams to ensure safe working conditions.
- Control administrative expenses through effective vendor management and cost optimization initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

- Zero man-days lost due to industrial disputes.
- Successful closure of employee grievances within defined timelines.
- Successful completion of wage settlements and LTS negotiations.
- 100% statutory compliance across assigned locations.
- Zero legal notices, penalties, or compliance violations.
- Timely filing of all statutory returns and renewals.
- Closure of all HR audits with zero NCs
- Contract Workforce Management
- 100% contractor compliance adherence.
- Timely contractor billing and reconciliation.
- Reduction in contract labour compliance deviations.
- Government Liasioning
- Successful closure of inspections and audits
- Timely renewal of licenses and statutory registrations.
- Administration
- Smooth operation of plant administration services.
- Employee satisfaction with administrative support services.
- Achievement of budget and cost optimization targets.

Qualifications & Experience

- Education: MBA (HR) / MSW / PGDM in Human Resources, Industrial Relations.
- Experience:10 years of relevant experience in: Industrial Relations / Factory HR Operations / Labour Laws
- Preferred Industry Exposure: Manufacturing / FMCG

“ofi is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to racial or ethnic origin, color, age, religion or belief, sex, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Applicants are requested to complete all required steps in the application process including providing a resume/CV in order to be considered for open roles”

📌 IR & Compliance Lead (Kochi)
🏢 ofi
📍 Kochi