HIRE GLOBAL
Hire Global's headhunting service finds managers and specialists for companies operating in Indonesia, with particular depth in manufacturing and Chinese-invested businesses. We work on a success-fee basis: you pay only when the candidate you select signs with your company. Searches can be run in Mandarin, English or Indonesian, from brief to onboarding.
Positions we search for
We focus on the roles that decide whether a factory in Indonesia runs smoothly: the plant manager, the local HR manager, the finance controller, production and maintenance engineers, procurement and EHS leads, and the commercial team that sells into the Indonesian market. Many searches require Mandarin or English in addition to Indonesian, so bilingual sourcing is built into the service.
| Function | Typical titles | Language profile often required |
|---|---|---|
| Plant leadership | Plant Manager, Factory GM, Operations Manager, Production Manager | Indonesian + English or Mandarin |
| Human resources | HR Manager, HRGA Manager, Industrial Relations Manager, Recruitment Lead | Indonesian; Mandarin a strong plus in Chinese-invested plants |
| Finance and administration | Finance Controller, Accounting Manager, Tax Supervisor | Indonesian + English or Mandarin |
| Engineering and quality | Maintenance Manager, Process Engineer, QA/QC Manager, EHS Manager | Indonesian + technical English |
| Supply chain | Procurement Manager, Logistics Manager, PPIC Manager | Indonesian + English or Mandarin |
| Commercial | Sales Manager, Key Account Manager, Business Development | Indonesian + English |
| Bilingual bridge roles | Assistant to Chinese GM, Mandarin-speaking Supervisor, Interpreter-Coordinator | Mandarin HSK 4–6 |
For high-volume operator and technician hiring, use our factory workers recruitment service instead; for interpreter and bilingual admin roles see Mandarin-speaking staff.
Success-fee model: how headhunter fees work in Indonesia
Headhunters in Indonesia commonly charge a success fee expressed as a percentage of the hired candidate's annual salary, payable after the candidate starts, with a replacement guarantee if the hire leaves early. Hire Global follows this contingency model for most mid and senior roles, and offers a retained structure for confidential or executive searches where a dedicated search team is required.
What the fee covers
- Role definition and market mapping of comparable companies in your sector and region.
- Direct approach to passive candidates, not only job-board applicants.
- Competency interviews, reference checks and, where needed, language assessment in Mandarin or English.
- Salary benchmarking against the Indonesian market so your offer is realistic.
- Offer negotiation and resignation support during the notice period.
- Replacement search at no additional fee if the candidate leaves within the agreed guarantee period.
Why every foreign-invested company needs a local HR manager
Under PP 34/2021 and Permenaker 8/2021, foreign nationals in Indonesia may not hold personnel or human-resources positions. Every expatriate role must also be covered by an approved RPTKA, and the employer must appoint an Indonesian counterpart for knowledge transfer. In practice this means a Chinese or other foreign-owned factory must hire an Indonesian HR manager before it can staff up, and that person is often the most consequential local hire.
Our HR searches for foreign-invested plants prioritise candidates who combine Indonesian labour-law fluency (PKWT/PKWTT, BPJS, the 2026 outsourcing rules, union relations) with the ability to communicate with foreign management. In Chinese-invested companies, Mandarin ability at HSK 4 or above is frequently decisive. We also help clients define the Indonesian counterpart roles required for their expatriate positions. Note that the Ministry of Manpower announced in April 2026 that Permenaker 8/2021 is under revision; our legal team tracks the changes.
Executive search process and timeline
A search starts with a detailed brief and market map, moves to a longlist of approached candidates within the first weeks, and produces a shortlist of interviewed, reference-checked candidates for your decision. Timelines vary with seniority and location; searches for bilingual roles outside Greater Jakarta take longer because the pool is smaller. You receive a written progress report at each stage.
- Brief: responsibilities, reporting line, salary range, language requirements and cultural fit.
- Market map: target companies and candidate profiles agreed with you.
- Approach and screening: direct outreach, competency interviews, language check.
- Shortlist presentation with interview notes and salary expectations.
- Client interviews, arranged on site or online, with interpretation if needed.
- References, offer negotiation and start-date coordination.
- Onboarding follow-up during the guarantee period.
Sectors and regions we cover
Most of our searches are for manufacturers and industrial service companies in Greater Jakarta, West Java, Banten and Central Java, with growing demand from the nickel and battery corridor in Sulawesi. Chinese-invested EV, battery, solar, glass, textile and metals plants are a core segment, alongside Taiwanese, Singaporean, Japanese and Indonesian firms that need bilingual leadership.
- Automotive and EV: Bekasi, Karawang, Subang.
- Electronics, glass and solar: Batang (KITB), Kendal, Tangerang.
- Steel, chemicals and metals: Cilegon, Serang, Morowali.
- Consumer goods, textiles and packaging: Tangerang, Semarang, Subang.
- Head offices and trading companies: Jakarta, including PIK and North Jakarta.
Learn more about the people behind the service on our About page, or contact us with a role description.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a headhunter charge in Indonesia?
Indonesian headhunters typically charge a success fee calculated as a percentage of the candidate's annual salary, paid after the hire starts, with a replacement guarantee. The exact percentage varies with seniority and the difficulty of the search. Hire Global confirms terms in writing per assignment rather than publishing a fixed rate; contact us with the role for a quote.
What is the difference between contingency and retained search?
In a contingency search you pay only if you hire a candidate we present. In a retained search you pay part of the fee at the start in exchange for a dedicated, exclusive team, which is common for director-level or confidential replacements. Hire Global offers both; most manager-level roles are run on contingency.
Can a foreigner be the HR manager of our Indonesian company?
No. Foreign nationals are prohibited from holding personnel or HR positions in Indonesia under the foreign-worker rules (PP 34/2021 and its implementing regulation). The HR manager must be an Indonesian citizen, and each expatriate position requires an approved RPTKA and an Indonesian counterpart. We regularly place bilingual Indonesian HR managers for exactly this reason.
Do you find Mandarin-speaking managers for Chinese companies?
Yes. This is one of our core specialties. Our director Hu Tingshan is a native Mandarin speaker and assesses candidates' Chinese directly. We look for Indonesian professionals with HSK 4–6, graduates of Chinese universities, and experienced staff from other Chinese-invested plants. See Mandarin-speaking staff recruitment for non-managerial bilingual roles.
How long does an executive search take in Indonesia?
Manager-level searches in Greater Jakarta usually produce a shortlist within a few weeks; senior or bilingual roles outside Java can take longer because suitable candidates are scarce and may need to relocate. We give you a realistic timeline at the brief stage and report progress weekly.
Is there a replacement guarantee?
Yes. If the placed candidate resigns or is terminated for performance within the guarantee period stated in your agreement, we run a replacement search at no additional fee. The guarantee period is agreed per role and is longer for senior positions.
Do you also handle the work permit (RPTKA, KITAS) for our expatriates?
Work-permit processing is a separate licensed activity and is not part of our recruitment licence. We can introduce a licensed immigration consultant and we advise on the Indonesian counterpart and HR structure your expatriate plan requires, but the permit application itself is handled by that partner.
Need a plant manager, HR manager or bilingual leader in Indonesia?
Send the role description and location. We confirm fee terms in writing and start the search once you approve.