Human Resources Generalist, Bilingual Japanese

Mazda•Madison, AL

About The Position

The Human Resources Generalist (International Services) provides bilingual Japanese-English HR support to International Service Employees (ISEs) and supports HR programs, processes, and employee lifecycle activities. This role is a key point of contact for ISEs, managers, and stakeholders, helping administer international assignments while providing responsive, customer-focused HR support. The position partners with Human Resources and business functions on onboarding, employee services, HR operations, reporting, employee communications, and program administration. It handles routine HR matters and escalates complex employee relations, immigration, tax, compensation, benefits, policy, or legal issues to the appropriate subject-matter experts and leaders. Japanese-English fluency is required. The role supports international assignment administration, including onboarding, assignment changes and extensions, repatriation, employee and family support, coordination with service providers, recordkeeping, deadline tracking, and annual tax support processes. It also responds to routine HR questions, provides translation and interpretation, supports employee lifecycle transactions and HR initiatives, and maintains confidentiality. In HR operations, it maintains employee information in Workday and other HR systems, prepares and analyzes reports, and identifies and documents process improvements. The position is based at a facility in Huntsville, Alabama. Domestic air travel is listed as essential, with travel requirements of 10%. The stated pay range is $69,400.00–$100,600.00; salary is determined by factors including education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, and market data.

Requirements

At least 2 years of administration, human resources, or related experience.
Japanese and English proficiency, with the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing in both languages.
Knowledge of human resources practices, processes, and employee lifecycle activities.
Strong communication, customer service, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally and with discretion.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing business needs.
Ability to analyze information, solve problems, and recommend practical process improvements.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and HR systems such as Workday or similar HRIS platforms.
Essential domestic air travel; travel requirements are listed as 10%.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting multiple HR processes across the employee lifecycle.
Experience supporting international assignments, expatriate populations, or globally mobile employees.
Bachelor of Arts/Sciences degree in Human Resources Management.
Bachelor of Arts/Sciences degree in Business Administration/Management.
Knowledge of international assignment administration, immigration documentation, or expatriate support practices.
Understanding of Japanese business culture and ability to effectively support a bilingual employee population.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary contact for International Service Employee inquiries and coordinate bilingual communication among employees, family members, management, Mazda Corporate, vendors, and service providers.
Support administration of international assignments, including onboarding, assignment changes and extensions, repatriation activities, and other employee lifecycle events.
Coordinate pre-assignment and onboarding activities, including employment documentation, orientation scheduling, system transactions, employee communications, and family support.
Partner with immigration counsel, tax providers, relocation vendors, travel partners, insurance providers, and other service organizations.
Maintain employee records, assignment documentation, status tracking reports, and recurring administrative processes related to international assignments.
Monitor assignment-related deadlines and follow up with employees, vendors, and stakeholders to ensure timely completion of required activities.
Coordinate annual tax support processes, employee meetings, vendor communications, reporting, and required documentation.
Assist employees and family members with assignment-related questions and direct specialized matters to appropriate subject-matter experts.
Respond to routine employee and manager questions about established HR policies, programs, procedures, and employee lifecycle processes.
Consult the ISE Manager, HRBP, or appropriate subject-matter expert when interpretation, exception approval, or elevated review is required.
Provide Japanese-English translation and interpretation for HR communications, meetings, programs, and employee interactions.
Support employee lifecycle activities, including organizational changes, offboarding, employee transactions, and related documentation.
Prepare data, reports, presentations, meeting materials, and employee communications to support business and HR priorities.
Partner with HRBPs on documentation, action tracking, and coordination for business-facing initiatives.
Maintain confidentiality when handling employee information and sensitive business matters.
Support employee engagement activities, HR programs, and special projects as assigned.
Maintain accurate employee information in Workday and other HR systems in accordance with compliance and approval requirements.
Prepare, analyze, and maintain recurring and ad-hoc reports and data to support HR operations, workforce planning, and business decision-making.
Identify opportunities to improve HR processes, reporting, communication, and service delivery through effective use of HR systems, data, and documentation.
Document procedures and recommend process improvements that enhance efficiency, service delivery, and employee experience.
Support HR operational activities, project work, and cross-functional initiatives based on business priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all policies and standards.