Employee Relations Specialist

We are currently supporting a search for an Employee Relations Specialist within the semiconductor equipment and manufacturing industry. This Tokyo-based, regional role offers an exceptional opportunity to manage complex employee relations and investigations across multiple Asian markets while reporting directly to a global leadership team in the US.

About the Role

Operating as an Employee Relations (ER) leader within the semiconductor equipment and manufacturing industry, you will serve as a key regional expert driving fair, consistent, and compliant workplace practices. In this role, you will manage end-to-end ER cases and investigations for multiple countries in Asia (including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and China), starting with two dedicated countries and expanding your scope over time. Working closely with Global Employment Law, HR Business Partners, and compliance teams, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, fostering an organizational culture rooted in integrity and high performance.

Key Responsibilities

Investigations & Case Management

• Conduct End-to-End Investigations: Lead comprehensive investigations from initial intake and interviews to analysis, escalation, and final closure for complex cases, including harassment, discrimination, and misconduct.
• Deliver Recommendations: Analyze evidence and draft detailed reports to recommend appropriate corrective actions, up to and including termination, in alignment with labor laws and company values.
• Ensure Documentation Standards: Maintain objective, highly confidential, and precise case files within the global ER management system.

Performance & Conduct Advisory

• Guide Leadership: Serve as a strategic consultant to people managers regarding disciplinary actions, policy interpretation, and complex performance management.
• Draft Disciplinary Documentation: Assist management in drafting clear, legally compliant performance improvement plans (PIPs) and written warnings.
• Partner on Annual Cycles: Align with business leaders during annual review cycles to ensure consistent performance standards and mitigate employment risks.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Training

• Partner with Stakeholders: Collaborate closely with Employment Law, Compliance, and HR Business Partners to resolve escalated organizational issues.
• Deliver Training Programs: Design and deliver enablement sessions for managers and HR teams to proactively address conflict resolution, compliance, and effective performance management.

Data Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Track Regional Metrics: Monitor, analyze, and report on ER case metrics, identifying root causes, systemic issues, and workplace trends.
• Optimize Processes: Contribute to global initiatives aimed at simplifying ER processes, updating regional policies, and implementing modern HR technologies.

Requirements

• Experience: 7+ years of dedicated Employee Relations, labor law, or HR Business Partner (HRBP) experience with a heavy focus on complex ER investigations.
• Industry Background: Experience working within the semiconductor, high-tech manufacturing, or related fast-paced multinational sectors.
• Languages: Native-level Japanese and Business-level English (TOEIC 800+ equivalent, comfortable reporting to a non-Japanese Director and collaborating globally). Professional proficiency in Mandarin or Korean is a strong asset.
• Key Skills: Superior communication and influencing skills, robust root-cause analytical capabilities, sound legal judgment, and the highest standard of discretion and integrity.

Why Apply

• True APAC Exposure: Start by supporting two key Asian markets with a clear developmental pathway to expand your expertise across the wider APAC region.
• Global Visibility: Enjoy a direct reporting line to the Global Head of HR ER & Compliance based in the US, giving your work high visibility.
• Strategic Autonomy: Step away from administrative HR to focus purely on high-impact, specialist advisory work and complex problem-solving.
• Work-Life Balance & Flexibility: Manager-level role exempt from standard overtime, offering a hybrid work structure with minimal travel (approx. 10%).