Forney Enterprises Pty Ltd
Location:
Luganville, Santo
Due Date:
24-08-2025
Type:
Full-Time | Immediate or Negotiable Start | 3-Month Probation Period| On-Site
Organisation Description:
Forney Enterprises
Forney Enterprise kava exporters is a family owned and operated business, established in 2005 and located on the island of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. We are the largest kava processing factory and exporter of kava powders in the world.
Our Vision is:
To lead universal appreciation for the highest quality noble Kava products through innovation and technological advancement whilst preserving the rich cultural Vanuatu communities and the traditions they uphold.
Our company values are:
Positivity – Quality – Sustainability - Honesty
Role Summary
We are seeking a Head of People & Culture to join our growing leadership team in Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, for a minimum two-year term. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of a rapidly evolving organisation, where people, culture, and purpose are at the centre of our next growth chapter.
Over the past 18 months, Forney Enterprises has grown significantly, expanding our operations, increasing our headcount, and building a workforce made up of both local and international skilled professionals. We now employ a highly diverse team, from community-based workers with limited formal education to globally experienced technicians and expatriates. We are deeply committed to creating meaningful opportunities for our local workforce while supporting those who have relocated to be part of our journey.
As our Head of People & Culture, you will be a key member of the executive team, responsible for leading all core HR functions, from recruitment and onboarding to training, compliance, employee relations, and performance management. More than that, your leadership will be essential in unifying our workforce, bridging cultural gaps, and creating clear, inclusive pathways for development and growth.
We're looking for someone with a scale-up mindset, ready to strategise, plan, and implement an HR framework that strengthens our internal systems while respecting the unique cultural dynamics of our environment. You'll bring experience in building HR practices from the ground up, paired with the empathy and cultural intelligence to listen deeply, lead respectfully, and adapt thoughtfully.
This is both a strategic and hands-on position, perfect for someone who wants to roll up their sleeves, build something meaningful, and leave a lasting legacy of growth that is not only commercial, but human, sustainable, and culturally grounded.
Job Desctiption:
Key Responsibilities
Develop and Implement HR Policies: Design, execute, interpret and explain HR policies and procedures, laws, standards, or regulations that align with company goals and support a positive workplace culture.
Legal Compliance: Ensure full compliance with all local and international labour laws, wage regulations and health & safety standards applicable to the manufacturing sector. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant employment legislation and industry regulations.
Employee & Labor Relations: Foster a positive work environment by addressing employee grievances promptly and fairly, resolving conflicts and implementing engagement initiatives. Serve as a liaison between management and shop-floor employees and handle issues to maintain a climate of trust.
Recruitment & Workforce Planning: Work with an experienced external recruiter to support the recruitment and selection process for expatriate workforce, from sourcing and interviewing to onboarding new hires. For local candidates, review applicants and job orders to match applicants with job requirements. Collaborate with Department Heads on workforce planning and succession planning to ensure staffing levels meet production demands. Develop or implement recruiting strategies to meet current or anticipated staffing needs. Process hiring-related paperwork. Inform job applicants of details such as duties and responsibilities, compensation, benefits, schedules, working conditions, or promotion opportunities. Schedule or conduct new employee orientations.
Training & Development: Implement training, onboarding and career development programs that improve employee skills, support operational needs and boost retention This includes coordinating safety training and compliance programs to promote a safe working environment.
Performance Management: Design, implement and oversee performance appraisal and feedback processes. Coach managers on setting objectives, conducting evaluations and developing their teams to drive high performance.
Compensation & Benefits: Administer and oversee compensation structure, bonus programs and benefits for employees to ensure fairness and competitiveness. Work with finance/payroll to ensure accurate and timely wage payments.
Records & Compliance Administration: Maintain accurate HR records, including employment records related to events, such as hiring, termination, leaves, transfers or promotions. This would include recommending and implementing human resources management system software. Prepare reports and HR metrics as needed.
HR Administration: Maintain and update human resources documents, such as organisational charts, employee handbooks or directories.
HR Advisory: Provide expert guidance to managers and employees on HR policies, procedures and best practices. Advise leadership on organisational development, change management and employee engagement strategies.
Health & Safety: Partner with EHS (Environmental Health & Safety) teams to ensure adherence to workplace safety policies and occupational health regulations. Coordinate responses to workplace incidents and facilitate initiatives to improve plant safety culture.
Selection Criteria:
Qualifications and Experience
Education: Bachelor's degree in human resources, Business Administration, or a related field (required). A Master's degree in HR or related discipline is a plus.
Experience: Progressive HR experience, gained within scale up environments. Some of your experience will involve being based overseas, in a multi-cultural organisation, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial environment. Proven track record handling recruitment, employee relations, training and compliance in a plant or factory setting is essential.
HR Knowledge: Strong knowledge of employment/labour laws and HR best practices (required) – including areas such as wage & hour regulations, equal employment opportunity, and labour relations. Familiarity with workplace safety compliance standards (OSHA or local OHS laws) in a manufacturing context is expected.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in HR management software for reporting and record-keeping (required). Comfortable using Microsoft Office and data analysis tools to drive HR metrics and insights.
Certification:
Additional: Experience working in a multilingual and multicultural environment is advantageous. Demonstrated ability to manage HR projects and initiatives independently. High ethical standards and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
Essential Behavioural Skills
Change Management
Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect with employees on the production floor and executives alike. You can convey information clearly, listen actively, and facilitate understanding across all levels.
Leadership: Strong leadership and team management abilities to inspire trust and motivate others. You are confident in making decisions, providing guidance, and influencing positive outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
Problem-Solving: Sharp problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to address workplace issues effectively.. You approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset and remain calm under pressure.
Cultural Awareness: High cultural awareness and the ability to foster an inclusive, diverse workplace. You demonstrate respect for all backgrounds and help cultivate a culture of equity and belonging.
Adaptability: Agility and resilience in a dynamic manufacturing setting. Comfortable managing multiple priorities, adapting to changing production needs, and navigating high-pressure situations when they arise.
Industry-Specific Knowledge (Preferred)
Manufacturing Processes: Understanding of manufacturing operations, production workflows, and shop-floor dynamics is advantageous. This helps in aligning HR programs with the realities of a manufacturing environment.
Lean/Continuous Improvement: Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles or continuous improvement processes (preferred), as it can aid in driving efficiency and supporting a culture of continuous development among employees.
Labor Relations: Knowledge of industrial labour relations and experience with union interactions (beneficial). Ability to interpret labour contracts or participate in collective bargaining can be a strong asset in unionized facilities.
Safety Regulations: Solid understanding of occupational health and safety regulations specific to manufacturing (e.g., machine safety, hazardous materials handling). Experience coordinating safety programs or compliance with OSHA/WHS standards is a plus.
Please email your application to courtney@forneyenterpriseskava.com or hr@forneyenterpriseskava.com
Salary:
To be negotiated based on experience and qualification
How to Apply
Apply by:
Email
Contact Person:
HR Coordinator
Contact Phone:
Email to send applications to:
hr@forneyenterprisekava.com
Postal Address or location to apply in person:
Website:
How to apply - more information:
For further information on the above job please contact the employer directly.
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