Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Other
Timeline
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John Harju

Plymouth,MI

Summary

More than 17 years of global HR experience, including 2-year assignment based in Germany Effective partner to business leadership of multiple divisions and regions at Magna, ZF/TRW, and Visteon. Strong experience in global labor relations including development and implementation of labor strategies, leading labor negotiations (including concessionary and plant closures), and union avoidance strategies. Record of success transforming operations and innovating in projects, experienced in mergers/acquisitions (Magna-Veoneer Active Safety, ZF-TRW), divestitures and spinoffs (Ford-Visteon).

Professional leader with executive experience ready to drive impactful change. Proven ability to implement strategic initiatives and enhance operational performance. Valued for collaborative team leadership and adaptability to evolving business needs.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience

Work History

Vice President, Human Resources – Electronics

Magna Electronics
04.2022 - Current
  • Responsible for global HR activities including the integration of Veoneer Active Safety talent development, C&B, labor relations, recruiting, and health and safety
  • Joined Magna in April as HR Director, Strategy & Infrastructure: responsible for launching people development processes, standardized people KPIs; developing and implementing people strategy, and overseeing launch of Workday (HRIS)

Interim HR Role

Webasto Americas
08.2021 - 10.2021
  • Plant recruiting, onboarding, and retention efforts in challenged plant situation

Senior VP, Human Resources

ZF Group
01.2008 - 01.2020
  • Company Overview: (ZF acquired TRW May 2015)
  • Reporting to Vice President of Active Safety Division and President, North America (ZF Board Member)
  • Responsible for two significant roles:
  • Senior VP Human Resources, Active Safety Division Led global HR and health/safety responsibilities for newly created Active Safety Division (formerly braking and steering business units)
  • The division included approximately 24,000 employees at 37 locations
  • Senior VP, Human Resources, North America Region Task: Ensured development and alignment of regional people strategies across nine divisions including compensation, benefits, labor relations, union avoidance, recruiting and retention, and training
  • The region included more than 26,000 employees at 29 manufacturing and R&D locations
  • (ZF acquired TRW May 2015)

Senior VP, Human Resources

ZF Group
01.2016 - 01.2018
  • Reported to the CEO of the Active and Passive Safety Division and functionally reporting to the executive HR VP, ZF Group
  • Role included full HR responsibilities including health and safety for Active and Passive Safety Division (formerly TRW; 65,000 employees at 155 locations)

Vice President, Labor and Employee Relations

TRW Automotive
01.2008 - 01.2015
  • Responsibilities included developing and implementing global labor and employee relations strategies for 170+ locations
  • This included review and approval of hourly wage reviews, union avoidance strategies, bargaining mandate proposals, contingency planning for labor strike disruption, strategy development and implementation of site restructurings; support divestitures; lead HR support for steering and braking engineering groups, and corporate functions; led TRW change management efforts during pre-and post-integration merger with ZF

Director, HR Interiors/Lighting Divisions & NA Labor Affairs

Visteon Corporation
01.2005 - 01.2008
  • Responsible for complete HR support for two global product groups including more than 45 manufacturing plants, 12,000 + employees, and nearly $4 billion annual revenue
  • Responsible for creating /implementing labor strategy and operational support to more than 20 manufacturing locations in North America
  • Labor strategies included negotiating plant closures/ concessionary agreements; planning for new plant manufacturing sites
  • Led negotiations for restructuring of Germany-based plant including restructuring and labor concessions

Director, Organizational & Leadership Development

Visteon Corporation
01.2003 - 01.2005
  • Managed HR team based in Germany and England which led OD activities for European region ($4 billion + revenue and 22,000 employees)
  • Led design and/or implementation of following high potential international leadership development programs, succession planning and talent reviews, employee surveys, performance leadership, training, and executive recruiting
  • Also, responsible for planning and facilitating monthly operating reviews and strategic leadership meetings, as well as providing coaching to regional leadership

HR Director, Global Product Development

Visteon Corporation
01.2002 - 01.2003
  • Managed HR team including personnel planning, recruiting, compensation planning, and organization planning for 2000+ employee product development activities in Climate, Powertrain, and Chassis product lines
  • Major achievements included improved headcount planning, structure reductions, and reorganization of product line organizations

HR Manager, Milan Plant

Visteon Corporation
01.2000 - 01.2002
  • Responsible for full line HR team supporting fuel tank and bumper manufacturing plant of $500 million annual revenue; 1000 UAW represented employees

Various assignments

Ford Motor Company
01.1989 - 01.2000
  • Various assignments at staff/divisional locations, and manufacturing plants

Management Trainee

Allied Signal, Bendix Brakes Division
01.1988 - 01.1989

Education

Masters of Labor Relations & Human Resources -

Michigan State University

Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration

Michigan State University

MBA Coursework -

Indiana University - South Bend

Executive Leadership Programs -

TRW Executive Education - University of MI

Leadership Development Program -

IESE, University of Navarra

Other

  • Board Member, German American Business Council, 2019-2020
  • Board Member, Bethania Endowment Fund, 2019-present

Timeline

Vice President, Human Resources – Electronics

Magna Electronics
04.2022 - Current

Interim HR Role

Webasto Americas
08.2021 - 10.2021

Senior VP, Human Resources

ZF Group
01.2016 - 01.2018

Senior VP, Human Resources

ZF Group
01.2008 - 01.2020

Vice President, Labor and Employee Relations

TRW Automotive
01.2008 - 01.2015

Director, HR Interiors/Lighting Divisions & NA Labor Affairs

Visteon Corporation
01.2005 - 01.2008

Director, Organizational & Leadership Development

Visteon Corporation
01.2003 - 01.2005

HR Director, Global Product Development

Visteon Corporation
01.2002 - 01.2003

HR Manager, Milan Plant

Visteon Corporation
01.2000 - 01.2002

Various assignments

Ford Motor Company
01.1989 - 01.2000

Management Trainee

Allied Signal, Bendix Brakes Division
01.1988 - 01.1989

Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration

Michigan State University

MBA Coursework -

Indiana University - South Bend

Leadership Development Program -

IESE, University of Navarra

Masters of Labor Relations & Human Resources -

Michigan State University

Executive Leadership Programs -

TRW Executive Education - University of MI

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