Mitch Gatchalian

Head of Human Resources @ Knauf

About

I’m a Strategic Human Resources Leader with over a decade of experience helping organizations build the people, culture and leadership capabilities needed to grow sustainably and perform at their best. My career did not begin with a prestigious school name or a perfectly mapped-out path. I graduated from a state university, entered the workforce with more curiosity than certainty and learned early on that growth often comes from saying yes to opportunities before you feel fully ready for them. Much of my journey has been shaped by a willingness to learn, take thoughtful risks and keep showing up with both humility and conviction. Over the years, that mindset has allowed me to grow into leadership roles across multinational and multi-site organizations, where I’ve had the opportunity to lead end-to-end HR strategy and operations spanning organizational development, talent management, leadership pipeline building, employee engagement, total rewards, labor relations, HR governance and transformation initiatives. I’ve always believed that HR is at its best when it is both strategic and deeply grounded in the realities of the business. My approach has never been about building people programs that look good only on paper. It has been about creating practical, scalable solutions that strengthen workforce capability, enable leaders, improve employee experience and help organizations move through change with clarity and resilience. What I bring to the table is a combination of strategic perspective and hands-on execution. I’m comfortable in the boardroom but equally committed to the work on the ground; understanding what teams need, what leaders are struggling with and how people strategy can truly support operational and business outcomes. Some of the work I care most about includes shaping stronger leadership pipelines, improving employee engagement, building high-performing and values-driven cultures, and helping organizations navigate complexity without losing sight of the human side of business. At the heart of it, my journey has taught me that meaningful leadership is not about having the most polished start. It is about staying curious, being willing to stretch, doing the hard work consistently and using every opportunity to create impact for both people and the business. I’m passionate about building workplaces where people and organizations can thrive together and I remain committed to helping leaders and teams achieve both operational excellence and transformational growth.

Country

Philippines

City

National Capital Region

Industry

Building Materials

Skill

Human Capital Management, Business Visas, Policies & Procedures, Cost Management, Building Organizational Capability, Critical Thinking, Team Management, Quality Consulting, Organizational Performance, Build Strong Relationships, Decision-Making, Problem Solving, People Development, HR Policies, Coaching, Human Capital, Labor and Employment Law, Employee Learning & Development, Human Resource Development, Internal Communications

Experience

Head of Human Resources

Knauf

2021-6 - 2025-11 · 4 yrs 6 mos

Philippines

Country HR Leader responsible for end-to-end HR strategy and operations. Member of Executive Committee reporting to the Country Manager with matrix reporting to APAC CHRO. Led HR operations supporting employees across multiple sites with a team of 3 HR professionals. • Played a key role in the post-merger integration of USG Boral and Knauf Philippines, aligning organizational structures, compensation frameworks and talent processes to ensure seamless workforce transition and operational continuity. Partnered with ExeCom to redesign organizational structures and implement workforce restructuring initiatives that strengthened talent alignment with evolving business priorities. • Built scalable HR infrastructure spanning talent acquisition, payroll governance, performance management and employee relations, enabling consistent HR service delivery across multiple sites. Standardized HR policies and governance frameworks, enhancing compliance, efficiency and operational consistency. Led process improvement initiatives applying continuous improvement principles, improving HR service delivery and administrative operations. • Launched the Management Trainee Program, creating a structured leadership pipeline to strengthen succession readiness and future leadership capability. Facilitated talent reviews and succession planning discussions with senior leadership, enabling data-driven talent decisions. Developed competency frameworks and role profiles to improve clarity of performance expectations, development planning and leadership capability building. • Championed employee engagement and culture initiatives, achieving 21% increase in engagement scores and consecutive Great Place to Work® certification, strengthening employer brand and retention. Led compensation and benefits harmonization to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness. Established the K-Aagapay CSR Program, enhancing community engagement through education, environmental and livelihood initiatives.

Assistant HR Manager

USG Boral Building Products

2020-9 - 2021-6 · 10 mos

Philippines

Led HR service delivery across the employee lifecycle including performance management, succession planning, payroll coordination, employee relations and HR systems governance. Served as HR Business Partner to Sales, Marketing, and Technical teams, aligning workforce planning and talent strategies with commercial growth and operational priorities. Key Contributions: • Partnered with business leaders to align workforce strategies with sales and operational priorities. • Led the implementation of talent and performance management processes, facilitating leadership calibration and succession discussions to strengthen leadership pipeline and performance accountability. • Managed payroll coordination and statutory compliance ensuring accurate compensation delivery and full adherence to labor and regulatory reporting requirements. • Served as local project lead for SAP SuccessFactors implementation, driving system adoption through user training and process integration that improved HR data management and operational efficiency.

Human Resources Supervisor

USG Boral Building Products

2017-9 - 2020-8 · 3 yrs

NCR - National Capital Region, Philippines

• Stepped up to lead the HR team during a critical leadership transition, ensuring operational stability. • Managed the full employee lifecycle, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, talent development, and exit processes. • Responsible for payroll and benefits administration, ensuring compliance and accuracy in all transactions.

Human Resources Coordinator

USG Boral Building Products

2015-9 - 2017-8 · 2 yrs

Libis, Quezon City

Supported end to end HR operations including recruitment, onboarding, training coordination, HR reporting and employee administration. Key Contributions: • Designed and implemented a structured onboarding program in collaboration with department leaders, improving new employee integration and early engagement. • Launched the organization’s first Internship Program, strengthening early-career talent pipeline and employer branding within the graduate market. • Served as key HRIS user supporting SAP SuccessFactors implementation and system adoption across the organization.

HR Specialist

LG Electronics

2013-12 - 2015-5 · 1 yr 6 mos

Pasig City

• Supported end-to-end HR operations including recruitment, onboarding, training coordination, and employee data management for a multinational organization. • Facilitated onboarding and learning programs that supported employee capability development and succession pipeline. • Provided frontline HR advisory support to employees and managers, ensuring responsive HR service delivery and employee experience.