Director, Labor & Employee Relations

Career Area:

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Job Summary:

As the Director of Labor Relations at Caterpillar, you will lead strategic labor relations initiatives that support our global manufacturing and operations footprint. This role is responsible for fostering collaborative relationships with labor unions, ensuring compliance with collective bargaining agreements, and guiding negotiations that align with business objectives. You will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on labor strategy, risk mitigation, and workforce planning, while promoting a culture of respect, fairness, and operational excellence. Leveraging your expertise in labor law, conflict resolution, and employee engagement, you will help build a resilient and productive workforce that powers Caterpillar’s mission to build a better world.

What You Will Do:

• Lead the design, implementation, and administration of labor relations programs, policies, and procedures.
• Guide all levels of management on labor/union matters.
• Oversee collective bargaining agreements, grievance procedures, and arbitration processes.
• Promote mechanisms for peaceful resolution of industrial disputes.
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess their impact on the organization.
• Represent the company in legal proceedings related to HR issues.
• Collaborate with Centers of Excellence and HR leadership to shape labor strategy.

Education requirement:

• Candidates should hold a bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Human Resources, Law, or a closely related field. Alternatively, individuals may demonstrate equivalent expertise through substantial professional experience.

What skills you will have:

Conflict Management: Effectively resolves complex labor-related disputes in unionized environments. Mediates between stakeholders, de-escalates high-pressure situations, and implements proactive strategies to prevent conflicts while fostering a collaborative culture.

Negotiation: Leads collective bargaining negotiations and manages impasse situations with a strategic mindset. Achieves balanced outcomes that support both employee welfare and business objectives, working closely with legal counsel and senior leadership.

Influencing & Communication: Communicates persuasively and builds trust across all levels of the organization. Influences senior leaders, union representatives, and cross-functional teams by presenting labor strategies, facilitating discussions, and engaging with transparency and credibility.

Industrial Relations: Manages industrial relations within manufacturing or heavy industry settings. Works with multiple unions, interprets labor contracts, and oversees grievance procedures. Applies knowledge of global labor practices to support multi-site or international operations.

Business Acumen: Understands business operations and the impact of labor relations on productivity and cost. Aligns labor strategies with business goals, supports operational leaders, and uses data-driven insights to inform decision-making.

HR Legal & Regulatory Expertise: Applies comprehensive knowledge of labor law and employment regulations. Advises on legal risks, manages compliance audits, and ensures adherence to federal, state, and local labor standards. Collaborates with legal teams and regulatory bodies to maintain compliance.

Additional Information:

This position requires the candidate to work onsite five days a week at the Monterrey-Villa (Santa Catarina) office.

Domestic relocation assistance is available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available with this position.

This position may require up to 50% travel.

Final details

Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.

The Caterpillar Code of Conduct states that we will select, and place employees based on their qualifications for the job to be performed, without regard to race, religion, national origin, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability. In this company we do not request pregnancy tests, nor HIV tests as requirements for employment entry, permanence or promotion.

Posting Dates:

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply

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