Masan Consumer Holdings

Hien Pham

Human-Centric HR Leader

Hien Pham is an accomplished HR professional with over 20 years of in-depth expertise spanning various industries, including oil and gas, solar energy trading and telecommunications. Currently serving as the Head of Human Resources, she is working with FMCG brands in the APAC region toward the mission of uplifting the material and spiritual lives of Vietnamese Consumers. Before her journey into HR, she pursued roles in logistics and administration.    

Hien aims to build high energy and agility across teams and inspire them to make a purposeful impact for a better business, community and environment.

In an interview with Manage HR, Hien Pham shares her valuable insights into the current trends shaping the HR landscape and the use of technology innovations to address strategic problems in talent acquisition.

Could you discuss your role and experience in the APAC region, emphasizing the importance of organizational development, employer relations, and talent acquisition?

I began my career in logistics and transitioned to an administrative role. After two years in the industry, I discovered opportunities in HR and have been passionate about my role. Following my time at Unilever, I joined Masan Consumer Holdings, which has been expanding rapidly across Vietnam.

We are a major player in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, boasting over 10,000 employees, primarily serving commercial and manufacturing organizations. We have implemented strategies aimed at attracting talent locally and from neighboring countries.

Our talent acquisition approach involves organizing events and contests to identify and engage with potential candidates. For instance, we host contests focused on brand marketing, attracting over 2000 applicants from various backgrounds, including Vietnamese students studying abroad who eventually return to Vietnam. This helps us nurture young talent and bring them back to their homeland.

“Our focus extends beyond traditional talent acquisition to developing and nurturing local and global talent.”

Recently, we expanded our focus to include talent in research and development (R&D), collaborating with top universities in Vietnam due to the shortage of local experts. This includes sponsoring promising students to learn and grow within our organization and providing resources to broaden their skills. More than 15 enthusiastic members will join our team next week as part of this initiative. 

We have further engaged in international headhunting efforts to bring expertise in innovative technologies and R&D methodologies to Vietnam.

As the Head of Human Resources at Masan Consumer Holdings, what technologies have you implemented to enhance your talent acquisition strategies? 

Embracing digitalization and leveraging technology in HR activities has been a passion of mine. Upon joining the company, we initially had a rudimentary system focusing on basic information. However, we have made significant strides in enhancing our talent acquisition processes, particularly in e-hiring and onboarding.

We are integrating advanced tools into our systems to streamline the hiring and onboarding journey. This involves mapping out the onboarding process, from the first day of joining to subsequent weeks and months and incorporating it into our system. We have also initiated projects like e-hiring, which will integrate with various other systems across the organization.

Looking ahead, I am excited about the potential of upcoming technologies to revolutionize HR practices. For instance, we are exploring the integration of AI-driven solutions for talent assessment and management and advancements in data analytics to better understand and predict talent needs. Regarding technology adoption, we are steadily making progress and eagerly anticipating the benefits these innovations will bring to our HR operations.

Can you discuss a project you successfully led where you encountered a significant challenge and how your expertise helped overcome it?

Recently, I spearheaded a project that I'm particularly proud of, considering its surprising outcome. We dealt with a cumbersome process that involved physically passing papers from one person to another for signatures, resulting in significant delays and inefficiencies.

Recognizing the need for change, I challenged my team to entirely overhaul the signature documentation process. We implemented a digital signature solution, transitioning from physical papers to electronic signatures stored in a centralized system accessible to all relevant parties. Despite initial skepticism, after four months of implementation, we successfully integrated the new system into our workflow.

The results were remarkable. The new process doubled the speed at which documents were processed and resulted in substantial cost savings. This project showcased the power of innovation and teamwork in overcoming challenges and driving efficiency and productivity within our organization.

Do you have any advice for your readers, peers, or aspiring industry leaders on enhancing their position in the HR industry?

I believe in the power of authenticity and genuine leadership. When I speak to students or budding professionals, I emphasize the importance of being human-centric in HR. By being true to yourself, embracing authenticity, and fostering a positive work environment, we can continue to excel and succeed in our field.