Arturo Gaona
@arturogaona
Human Resources General Manager leveraging labor relations and HR transformation to drive profitability.
MexicoWhat I'm looking for
I am a Human Resources General Manager with 17 years of experience in the global steel and automotive industry. I turn people management into bottom-line profitability through operating cost optimization and labor relations stabilization, including sustained savings of $1,000,000 USD per year.
I lead large-scale workforces of up to 1,800 employees and HR teams of 39 professionals across 6 sites, with bilingual (English/Spanish) executive reporting to boards in Asia and North America. I specialize in Greenfield (start-from-scratch) HR implementation and align national objectives with corporate headquarters.
I bring deep expertise in union negotiation and collective bargaining, legitimization before the CFCRL, and compliance across Mexican labor reform, NOM-035, IMSS/INFONAVIT, and REPSE. I also drive continuous improvement through Six Sigma (DMAIC), Lean Manufacturing, and quality/safety systems audits (IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001/OHSAS 18001), while building leadership development programs for high potentials.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
HR General Manager
POSCO Mexico
May 2011 - May 2026 (15 years)
Led HR and administration for a 1,800-employee, multi-site steel operation across 6 sites, managing a 39-professional HR team and reporting quarterly HR profitability to HQ. Delivered sustained labor cost savings of $1,000,000 USD/year, reduced IMSS Risk Premium from 7.58875% to 0.5%, cut turnover from 29% to 2%, and maintained zero work stoppages/strike threats for 14 consecutive years.
Training & Admin Coordinator
POSCO Mexico
May 2009 - May 2011 (2 years)
Coordinated HR documentation and processes to achieve first-attempt plant certifications for ISO/TS 16949 and OHSAS 18001 audits. Migrated financial reporting to Oracle ERP (30% faster invoice processing, 98% budget accuracy) and improved training execution by systematizing the DNC process to target 95% job-relevant course delivery.
Sales Manager
Auto Transportes Maskarga
Jan 2004 - May 2009 (5 years 4 months)
Drove revenue growth by diversifying the portfolio and entering the renewable energy sector, delivering 5% annual revenue growth. Negotiated logistics alliances that reduced empty-return trips by 15% and secured an exclusive 2-year contract generating 15% of branch operating revenue.
Logistics Coordinator
Eldex del Golfo
Jan 2000 - May 2004 (4 years 4 months)
Implemented a “Zero Damage” handling program to reduce annual losses and customer claims by 20%. Redesigned shift schedules based on port arrival times, cutting overtime pay by 12% without impacting operations.
Land Concessions Coordinator
Tuxpan Integral Port Administration
Jan 1998 - Dec 1999 (1 year 11 months)
Improved industrial land plot delivery workflows, reducing internal processing time by 20% through more efficient legal and technical validation. Resolved territorial disputes within the port facility to preserve operational stability and avoid litigation against the port authority.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology)
Master's Degree, Management of Steel Industries
2022 - 2024
Activities and societies: Served as class representative; graduated first in class.
Master's program in Management of Steel Industries at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology), graduating first in class and serving as class representative.
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas
Bachelor's Degree, Foreign Trade
Bachelor's degree in Foreign Trade from Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas.
Availability
Location
MexicoAuthorized to work in
Job categories
Skills
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