About the Role
A Leading Manufacturing Company is seeking a dynamic and experienced HR Operations Manager to join us on a fixed-term contract basis. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for an HR professional who thrives in a fast-paced, transformative environment. You will play a central role in driving our HR function forward — embedding the Company People's Manual, championing performance culture, and ensuring operational excellence across all HR disciplines.
This contract role offers the chance to make a meaningful and lasting impact during an exciting period of business transformation.
Key Responsibilities
HR Policy & People Manual
- Lead the roll-out and embedding of the Company People's Manual across the organisation
- Develop and deliver training to promote policy compliance and best practice
- Drive HR transformation initiatives and change management programmes
Performance Management- Implement effective performance management frameworks aligned to business goals
- Coach and mentor managers on objective-setting and team development
- Foster a culture of continuous feedback and data-driven performance evaluation
HR Operations & Systems- Optimise HR systems, workflows, and processes across the full employee lifecycle
- Ensure compliance with all labour legislation and internal policies
- Collaborate with department heads on workforce planning and headcount management
- Oversee onboarding, induction, and offboarding processes
- Manage payroll operations and lead digital payroll transformation (VIP to PaySpace)
Employee Relations & Engagement- Champion employee engagement, well-being, and inclusion initiatives
- Address employee relations issues with fairness and consistency
- Act as a trusted HR business partner to senior leadership
Talent, Learning & Compliance- Develop and manage talent acquisition, retention, and succession strategies
- Oversee L&D programmes, learning needs analysis, and SDF full function (WSP/ATR)
- Drive Employment Equity strategy, planning, and statutory reporting
- Manage BBBEE strategy, audit process, and reporting
- Ensure Occupational Health & Safety compliance across sites
- Manage compensation structures, salary benchmarking, and PIMCA compliance
What You'll Need
Qualifications & Experience- Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field
- Honours Degree in Strategy or Human Resource Development (advantageous)
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior HR management role
- Solid generalist HR background with specialist IR experience
Knowledge & Skills- Comprehensive HR knowledge across all SABPP pillars
- Strong IR expertise including discipline, hearings, and CCMA/arbitration proceedings
- Proven strategic planning and analytical capability
- Strong leadership, people management, and coaching skills
- Excellent communication skills in English and Afrikaans
- High emotional intelligence and stakeholder management ability
- Proficiency with HR systems and strong computer literacy
- SHE and ISO knowledge advantageous
Desired Skills:
- CCMA Representation
- Management
- Recruitment
- SAP Human Resource Management (HR)
- Union Representation
