Department

People & HR

Reports To

CEO / Co-Founder

Headcount

1 head

Start date: October 2026. Applications are welcome now — we will contact shortlisted candidates from August 2026.

The Role

Owns the HR function for Karnot Energy Solutions Inc. — hiring, onboarding, payroll coordination with Finance, DOLE compliance, performance management, and policy. Reports directly to the CEO.

The HR Officer is the person who prevents those mistakes. You will own recruitment sourcing and screening, onboarding, employee records, payroll co-management with the bookkeeper, performance review processes, DOLE compliance, and the early-stage work of building a culture that attracts and retains the technical talent Karnot needs. You will be the first HR hire — there is no established team, no inherited process, and no bureaucratic constraints. You build what Karnot needs.

The HR Officer reports directly to the CEO and participates in hiring decisions across every department. Career progression to HR Manager is on the table for the right person.

Key Responsibilities

Own end-to-end recruitment for all Karnot roles — sourcing, screening, interview coordination, offer letters, contract preparation
Run onboarding for every new hire — documentation, government benefit enrolments (SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG), equipment, orientation
Co-manage semi-monthly payroll with the Bookkeeper — ensure accuracy of hours, deductions, and statutory contributions
Maintain compliant 201 files for all employees — employment contracts, DOLE-required records, performance documentation
Own DOLE compliance — labour standards, OSH reporting (alongside the Safety Officer), DOLE inspection preparation
Design and implement Karnot's performance review process and key result frameworks
Manage employee relations — disciplinary process, grievances, separations in accordance with the Labour Code
Build HR policies from zero: employee handbook, leave policy, code of conduct, probation framework

Required Qualifications

BS Psychology, Human Resource Management, or closely related degree
3–5 years generalist HR experience in a Philippine SME or growth-stage company
Working knowledge of the Philippine Labour Code and DOLE regulations — can handle a labour dispute without outside counsel for routine matters
Track record of managing 30 or more personal hires end-to-end
Experience with PH payroll software — Sprout HR, PayrollHero, or equivalent
Hands-on experience processing SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG remittances and online filings

Preferred Qualifications

Experience hiring for technical roles — engineers, technicians, or licensed professionals
CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional) or equivalent credential
Experience building an HR function in a company scaling from under 20 to over 40 heads
Familiarity with the BOI incentive regime's employment requirements and tax-incentive documentation (Karnot's BOI-SIPP application is filed)
Pangasinan-based or willing to relocate — the role requires on-site presence for onboarding and employee relations

What Karnot Offers

₱35,000/month base salary
Reports directly to the CEO
First dedicated HR hire — builds the function from scratch
Career progression to HR Manager as the team grows
Mapandan HQ base — no Metro Manila commute; Pangasinan cost of living

About This Role — Common Questions

What does first HR hire actually mean day-to-day

It means there is no established HR process to inherit. There is no employee handbook, no performance review template, no onboarding checklist, no established payroll workflow. You build all of it. That is both the challenge and the opportunity. The CEO has managed employment matters directly until now — you take that over, structure it properly, and create the foundation for a professional people function. Most HR Officers join to maintain a system someone else built. Here you build the system.

How technical does the role need to be to hire engineers and technicians

You do not need to be able to assess refrigeration competence — the hiring managers do that. Your role in technical hiring is sourcing, screening for minimum qualifications (correct TESDA/PRC licence, relevant experience), coordinating interviews, and owning the offer and contract stage. The PEE, PME, and Sales lead conduct technical assessments independently. HR manages the process, not the technical decision.

Will the HR Officer be responsible for DOLE compliance alone

In partnership with the Safety Officer (who handles OSH-specific DOLE obligations) and the CEO (who remains accountable for compliance decisions). The HR Officer owns labour standards compliance — working hours, 13th month pay, mandatory benefits enrolment, notice periods, documentary requirements for all employment classifications. The Safety Officer owns the OSH-specific DOLE programme. The CEO is the final sign-off on compliance strategy.

What is the expected headcount trajectory

Karnot scales meaningfully through 2026 and 2027 and the HR Officer is responsible for managing the full employee lifecycle: hire, onboard, develop, retain, and — when necessary — separate. Planning for that growth rather than reacting to it is a core part of the role.

Apply Now

The role starts October 2026. Send your CV and a brief note about your experience building or restructuring an HR function. We read every application personally.

Express Interest by Email

Send to [HIDDEN TEXT] and [HIDDEN TEXT]

Target start: October 2026

HR Officer / People Manager