GM is treating me as a sales executive - Is HR manager a subordinate to Sales General manager?

Hi, I am working as an HR manager in an SME company. I regularly meet the sales general manager for his approvals. Now, the GM is treating me as a sales executive. I am the HR head in the organization. Is the HR manager subordinate to the Sales General Manager? Can anyone tell me.

What is the size of your company?

Is there a laid-down organization chart or hierarchy? In smaller organizations, say less than 100 employees, HR heads may report to the CEO directly. Also, sometimes there is direct reporting to the COO, Head of Legal, or other business functions—generally in small- to mid-size organizations where there is a small HR function, but the top officer is someone in a business or functional control of daily operations. It all depends on the organization's structure.

Was it always the case that the HR head is asked to report to the GM Sales? The HR Head is not on par with the GM (sales) position-wise. You will have to analyze practices and precedents in the organization before trying to make changes. Change will have to be justified in the organizational interest. By letting you report to the CEO or Chairman, etc., how is the organization benefited? You will have to prove your thesis by figures and the effect on the ground. So, make your moves very carefully and with full knowledge of what exactly needs to be done.

My organization consists of more than 200 people.

So, as you said, sir, is the HR head subordinate to the Sales General Manager?

It is neither implied nor incumbent for any firm, including SMEs (even with 200 employees like yours), that the HR Head is subordinate to the GM Sales.

However, a few quick points:

1. Organograms are structures to be displayed on walls/presentations. The real work is done elsewhere by people who may not necessarily be listed in that hierarchical structure.

2. Leadership (

Sorry for the incomplete inputs sent. Rest follows.

Leadership is the action of doing work. VP, AVP, GM, HEAD, etc., are just positions.

Maybe the GM Sales needs your inputs for the performance of his team. Seize the opportunity by giving him all the support.

In any case, HR, by definition, is company/firm-oriented, not department-focused.

Ascertain the pain points of the GM and provide effective HR interventions.

He may want you on his team! All the best.