This focused on strategic human resource management practices and organisational performance of selected food and tobacco manufacturing firms in Southeast Nigeria. The study aimed to examine the impact of strategic human resource management practices on the performance of food and tobacco manufacturing firms in Southeast Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 625 employees of 20 selected manufacturing firms. Using the Taro Yamane sample size determination formula, 266 employees were selected. The study employed a structural equation model to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed significant relationships between each strategic human resource practice and organisational performance. Specifically, recruitment and selection strategy showed a statistically significant relationship with employee productivity, and performance management strategy had a positive impact on operational efficiency. The study concludes that manufacturing firms can improve performance outcomes by adopting coherent, strategically aligned human resource practice bundles that strengthen employees' ability, motivation, and opportunity to contribute effectively. The study recommends that food and tobacco manufacturing firms in Southeast Nigeria should institutionalise merit-based and competency-driven recruitment and selection systems that emphasise transparency and job-person fit, and implement robust performance management processes with clear performance indicators.

Keywords: Strategic Human Resource Management; Organisational Performance; Recruitment and Selection Strategy; Employee Productivity; Performance Management Strategy; Operational Efficiency; Manufacturing Firms.