Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on HR Executive to independently manage the HR function of a transport company with a workforce of 50–80 employees, the majority of whom are truck drivers, mechanics, and other blue-collar staff, alongside office and operations teams. The role covers the full employee lifecycle: recruitment with strong direct sourcing on LinkedIn and Indeed, onboarding, employee records, attendance and payroll coordination, and compliance with UAE Labour Law. A core part of the role is firm, fair, and consistent discipline management — dealing directly with drivers on traffic fines, misconduct, poor attitude. The ideal candidate is organized, confident with a multicultural blue-collar workforce, comfortable being present in the yard, and able to enforce company policy without hesitation.
Key Responsibilities
Recruitment & Onboarding
- Manage the full recruitment cycle for drivers, mechanics, operators, and office staff: job postings, screening, interviews, and offers.
- Actively source and recruit candidates through LinkedIn and Indeed, building a ready pipeline of qualified drivers and blue-collar workers.
- Verify driving licences, certificates, experience, and references before hiring drivers.
- Coordinate employee onboarding, induction, and orientation programs.
- Ensure proper documentation and recordkeeping of new hires.
Driver & Blue-Collar Workforce Management
- Act as the day-to-day HR contact for drivers, mechanics, and yard staff.
- Maintain a regular, visible presence in the yard and terminal, not only in the office.
- Coordinate closely with the Transport Manager and dispatch team on driver attendance, availability, and conduct.
- Support driver welfare, accommodation, and transport arrangements where applicable.
Discipline & Conduct Management (Core Focus)
- Enforce the company disciplinary code strictly, fairly, and consistently across the workforce.
- Track traffic fines with the transport team and take firm action: apply deductions and penalties in line with company policy and UAE Labour Law, and issue formal warnings to repeat offenders.
- Investigate and act decisively on misconduct, misbehavior, poor attitude, and alcohol or substance issues — up to and including termination in accordance with UAE Labour Law.
- Apply zero tolerance to alcohol or substance use affecting driving or safety-critical duties, coordinating testing or medical referral where company policy allows.
- Conduct disciplinary investigations and hearings, issue written warnings, and maintain complete records of every case to protect the company in any dispute.
Employee Records & Compliance
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date employee records (physical and digital).
- Ensure HR policies and practices comply with UAE Labour Law.
- Monitor contract renewals, visa expirations (in coordination with the PRO or external parties), driving licence expiries, and other legal documents.
Attendance & Leave Management
- Track attendance and leave records using relevant systems.
- Manage sick leave, annual leave, and other absences in line with policy.
- Ensure accurate monthly attendance reports for payroll coordination.
Payroll Coordination
- Compile monthly payroll inputs: attendance, overtime, trip allowances, fine deductions, and other adjustments.
- Coordinate with the Finance or Payroll team to ensure timely and accurate salary processing.
Employee Relations & Support
- Serve as the first point of contact for employee concerns, grievances, and queries.
- Handle conflicts firmly but fairly, promoting a disciplined and healthy work environment.
- Communicate effectively with a multicultural workforce across all levels.
- Support performance review processes and probation evaluations.
HR Policy & Process Improvement
- Draft, implement, and update HR policies, including the disciplinary code and driver conduct rules.
- Recommend improvements to HR processes, forms, and internal communications.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 3–5 years of broad HR generalist/executive experience in the UAE, preferably in transport, logistics, or another operations-heavy business.
- Proven hands-on experience recruiting through LinkedIn and Indeed.
- Experience managing drivers and blue-collar workforces is essential.
- Solid understanding of UAE Labour Law, particularly disciplinary procedures, deductions, and terminations.
- Firm, confident personality — able to hold difficult conversations with drivers and enforce policy consistently.
- Familiar with attendance/timekeeping systems and payroll coordination.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Fluent in English; Hindi/Urdu and/or Arabic is a plus for communicating with the driver workforce.
