The Role
Build and manage XPENG’s Brazil HR function from the ground up. Responsibilities include HR policies and workflows, employee lifecycle administration, payroll, benefits, recruiting, performance management, employee relations, labor compliance, and vendor coordination. The role partners with Brazilian employees and leaders, regional HR, China headquarters, legal counsel, and external providers while ensuring compliance with Brazilian labor legislation and supporting scalable people operations.
Summary Generated by Built In
XPENG is a leading smart technology company at the forefront of innovation, integrating advanced AI and autonomous driving technologies into its vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs), electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and robotics. With a strong focus on intelligent mobility, XPENG is dedicated to reshaping the future of transportation through cutting-edge R&D in AI, machine learning, and smart connectivity.
About the Role
We are looking for a hands-on and versatile HR Manager to become our first dedicated HR hire in Brazil.
This is a unique opportunity to help build the HR function from the ground up as XPENG continues to grow its presence in Brazil. The role will own the day-to-day HR agenda locally while partnering closely with regional HR leadership, China headquarters, local business leaders, and external service providers.
This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable working across the full employee lifecycle, enjoys building processes rather than simply operating within established ones, and can move easily between strategic discussions and hands-on execution.
What You’ll Do0-to-1 HR Foundation & Operations
- Help establish Brazil’s HR policies, workflows, systems, and operating rhythms, adapting global practices to the local market.
- Manage the end-to-end employee lifecycle, including onboarding, personal data management, leave administration, and offboarding.
- Oversee day-to-day payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, and HR operations in close coordination with external vendors and internal teams.
Talent Acquisition & People Development
- Partner with hiring managers and regional recruiting teams to attract, assess, and hire talent across commercial, technology, after-sales, and corporate functions.
- Support performance management, talent reviews, employee engagement, and retention initiatives as the local team scales.
Labor Compliance & Employee Relations
- Ensure all employment practices, contracts, and internal documentation strictly comply with Brazilian labor legislation (CLT) and company standards.
- Serve as the primary trusted advisor for employees and managers on people topics, collaborating with external legal counsel when specialized expertise is required.
Global & Regional Alignment
- Act as the primary HR bridge connecting local business leaders with regional HR and global headquarters (U.S. and China).
- Proven experience in a broad HR generalist role, with hands-on exposure across HR operations, employee relations, talent acquisition, payroll, benefits, and performance management.
- Strong working knowledge of Brazilian employment practices and labor requirements.
- Experience across multiple HR areas, including employee relations, recruiting, payroll, benefits, performance management, and HR operations.
- Demonstrated ability to operate independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- Strong problem-solving, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively across cultures, functions, and time zones.
- Excellent communication skills in Portuguese and English is required.
- Based in or able to work regularly in São Paulo.
- Experience working in a multinational environment and collaborating with China-based or other global stakeholders is preferred.
- Automotive, technology, mobility, or another fast-growing industry is a plus.
- Experience helping establish or scale an HR function or new business operation is highly desirable.
- Experience managing external payroll, benefits, recruiting, legal, or HR service providers.
- Mandarin Chinese is a plus, but not required.
The right person will become a trusted HR partner for the Brazil organization while also being the person who can make things happen locally. You will help create the foundation for a scalable HR operation, provide strong day-to-day support to employees and managers, and ensure that our Brazil people practices are both locally effective and globally aligned.
Additional Information & Compliance
Background Verification
Depending on the position and where permitted by applicable law, candidates may be asked to complete a background verification process. This may include verification of identity, academic qualifications, employment history, and professional references. All checks will be relevant to the position and conducted in accordance with applicable Brazilian laws and data protection requirements.
Data Privacy
XPENG is committed to protecting candidates’ personal data. Personal information collected during the recruitment process will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD – Law No. 13,709/2018). For additional information about XPENG’s general data-processing practices, please review our Privacy Policy: https://www.xpeng.com/policy.
Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
XPENG is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or family status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Brazilian law. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process.
Skills Required
- Broad HR generalist experience across HR operations, employee relations, talent acquisition, payroll, benefits, and performance management
- Strong knowledge of Brazilian employment practices and labor requirements
- Experience across employee relations, recruiting, payroll, benefits, performance management, and HR operations
- Ability to operate independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment
- Strong problem-solving, stakeholder management, and communication skills
- Ability to work effectively across cultures, functions, and time zones
- Fluency in Portuguese and English
- Based in or able to work regularly in São Paulo
- Experience in a multinational environment and collaboration with global stakeholders
- Automotive, technology, mobility, or fast-growing industry experience
- Experience establishing or scaling an HR function or new business operation
- Experience managing external payroll, benefits, recruiting, legal, or HR service providers
- Mandarin Chinese
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The Company
What We Do
Xpeng Motors is a leading Chinese electric vehicle and technology company that designs and manufactures intelligent automobiles that are seamlessly integrated with the Internet and utilize the latest advances in artificial intelligence. Focusing on China’s young and tech-savvy consumer base, XPENG Motors strives to offer smart mobility solutions with technology innovation and cutting-edge R&D. The company’s initial backers include its CEO & Chairman He Xiaopeng, the founder of UCWeb Inc. and a former Alibaba executive. It was co-founded in 2014 by Henry Xia and He Tao, former senior executives at Guangzhou Auto with expertise in innovative automotive technology and R&D. It has received funding from prominent Chinese and international investors including Alibaba Group, Foxconn Group and IDG Capital. Currently with 3,000 employees, the company is headquartered in Guangzhou and has design, R&D, manufacturing and sales & marketing divisions in Silicon Valley, San Diego, Beijing, Shanghai, Zhaoqing (Guangdong Province) and Zhengzhou (Henan Province).
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