HR Business Services Manager, Japan

Role Overview:
The Japan HRBS Manager is a stand-alone HR position responsible for delivering HR services at the local level in Japan (two legal entities with three major offices). This role ensures alignment with regional HR Business Services goals and strict compliance with local regulations. As a hands-on leader, this position holder manages a wide spectrum of HR operations, with a primary emphasis on Local Service Delivery (75%). This position reports directly to the HR Business Service Cluster Leader for Korea, Japan & Taiwan (based in Korea).

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Local Service Delivery & HR Excellence (80%)

• Stand-alone Operations: Independently manage the full "hire-to-retire" lifecycle for the Japan organization. This includes being highly hands-on in daily operations.
  • Note: Recruitment tasks may be transitioned to a Shared Corporate Service in the future, which would significantly reduce time spent in hiring task.
• Payroll Coordination:
  • Act as the critical local coordinator between Japan and the overseas Shared Corporate Service for payroll. Handle local tasks that cannot be processed offshore due to language or local complexity.
  • Administer local country benefits.
• Employee Relations and Restructuring:
  • Monitor labor law changes, update policies, and manage daily labor relations.
  • Act as the primary local investigator for HR-related reports submitted through the Global Ethics Hotline. This includes conducting thorough on-site investigations, gathering evidence, and providing formal reports and recommendations to regional/global compliance teams.
  • Lead cost-reduction actions (furloughs, layoffs) and support restructuring (negotiation, etc).
  • Provide legal advice on employment matters (sick leave, absenteeism, disciplinary actions).

• Process Improvement: Lead/participate in HR process standardization and transformations.
• HR vendors management

  2. SBU Stakeholder Management & SBU Strategy Implementation (20%)

• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including leadership within and beyond HR, to ensure alignment and support for HR Business Services Excellence.
• Performance: Provide expert guidance to managers on managing underperforming employees
• Employee Engagement: Provide insights for SBU engagement survey results, and enable local leaders to take full ownership of improving employee engagement within their respective organizations.
• Compensation: Upon request, administer individual compensation changes for promotions, etc.
• Talent: Provide insights for SBU talent reviews and succession planning.

Competency Requirements:

• Operational Independence: Proven ability to function as a stand-alone HR lead with an agile, hands-on mindset.
• Communication & Coordination: Excellence in bridging the gap between local Japanese requirements and overseas Shared Service centers.

Profile Requirements:

• Work Location:  Working from one of two major offices:
• Mobility: No disqualifying factors for travel; ability to allocate up to 50% of time to business travel.
• Language: Native-level Japanese and business-level English.
• Experience: 7-10 years of HR experience. Experience in global companies with multi-SBU setups is preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree

How we work: At PPG, we bring teams together to accelerate collaboration and career development, with in-person work Monday through Thursday and the opportunity to work remotely on Flexible Fridays. Schedules may vary by location.

About us: 

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X. 

The PPG Way 2030  

We are customer champions 

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow. 

We act with purpose and speed 

Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.  

We are excellent operators 

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.   

We compete to win 

Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths. 

We are PPG proud 

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world. 

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to  https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.  

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.  

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [email protected]. 

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.  
Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.  Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process. 

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.