Human Capital Business Partner: Benefits & Administration at Aspen Pharma Group

Job Description
Overview:

• The Human Capital Business Partner (HCBP) – Benefits & Administration acts as a strategic partner to business units, focusing on the design, implementation, and administration of employee benefits, HC operational policies, manage, drive HC Administration & Governance. The role ensures that compensation and benefits programs are competitive, compliant, and aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives. Oversee and manage the administration of employee data input and record keeping for the Aspen SA Ops.

Responsibilities:

Benefits Strategy & Management

• Design, implement and continually evaluate employee benefits (healthcare/medical aid, retirement/pension, leave management, wellness programmes, income protection, employee assistance) for the operations workforce
• Work with benefits vendors/brokers, conduct market benchmarking and ensure competitiveness and alignment with cost constraints
• Lead annual benefits renewal and open-enrolment processes; communicate changes clearly to employees and line managers
• Partner with Finance/HC to monitor benefits cost, utilisation trends, and identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining value
• Ensure compliance with relevant South African labour law, medical aid regulations, pension fund legislation, and internal policy requirements

HC Administration

• Oversee HC operational processes for the site: onboarding, off-boarding, employee records maintenance, HRIS data integrity, benefits deduction interface with payroll
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of employee data, benefits enrolments, changes in status (marriage, children, dependants), terminations, and data transfer to payroll and vendors
• Develop, review and update HR policies, procedures, and standard operating practices for the manufacturing/operations environment (e.g., shift allowances, overtime rules, leave, absence management)
• Support audits (internal and external) of HC/benefits data and ensure adherence to data-privacy (Protection of Personal Information Act – POPIA) and record-keeping requirements

Funds and admin support

• Produce and provide to the Reward Specialist a quarterly report on Retirement Fund and Medical Aid membership and advise reasons for employees not on these schemes (Group)
• Provide by the first week of each month a standard salary and benefits report including all benefits and Fund names to the Group
• Identify and report pay anomalies for investigation 
• Managing Benefits related to Provident Fund and Medical Aid administration and queries.
• Manage Death Claim investigation process  
• Provide administrative service to the Grading Committee                
• Provide administrative service to the Rewards Department Policy maintenance and formulation

Business Partnering & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a trusted advisor to site leadership and managers on Human Capital matters relating to benefits, administration, costs, workforce trends, and employee engagement
• Interpret and present benefits/admin data (utilisation, cost, employee queries) to support decision-making by business units
• Support change management around benefits or HC policy changes (e.g., new wellness programme roll-out, shift-pattern changes, union-involved communications)
• Facilitate employee and manager communications/training on benefits & HC administrative processes (e.g., explaining new medical aid scheme, pension options, leave policies)
• Support employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives that tie into benefits offerings and administration

Compliance, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of South African legislation, regulatory changes, industry best practices relating to benefits, pensions, medical aids, labour law
• Prepare key HC/benefits/administration reports for site leadership and HC leadership (e.g., cost per employee, benefits utilisation, data quality metrics, administrative KPIs)
• Drive continuous improvement of HC administrative processes (automation, self-service, error reduction, vendor management) suited to a high-volume operations environment
• Work with internal/external auditors, ensure that processes and records meet regulatory and internal control requirements

Employee Engagement & Communication 

• Communicate benefits programs and HC policies effectively to employees through various communication channels
• Drive initiatives to enhance employee wellbeing, inclusion, and engagement
• Conduct HC and benefits-related training sessions for employees and managers

Job Requirements

Requirements:

Background/experience

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources management, Labour Relations, Industrial Psychology or related field
• 5 - 8 years’ working experience as Human Capital Business Partner/ HC Administration Manager in manufacturing and unionized environments
• 5 - 8 years’ experience in leading a Human Capital administration Team
• 3 – 5 years of focused HC benefits and HC administration experience (including Retirement and Medical Aid schemes)

Specific job skills

• Exposure to structuring and managing medical aid, life, pension, and wellness programs.
• Experience managing vendor relationships and HC systems (e.g., CRS, SAP SuccessFactors, EMS).
• Exposure to payroll preparation, benefits integration, and reconciliation with finance.
• Maintaining compliant, audit-ready HR files (digital and physical).
• Management and governance of HC Policies and procedures
• Expert level proficiency in Excel and other MS Office applications.
• People and department management  
• Report writing
• Project Management
• Deep understanding of HR operations, benefits design, and labour laws.
• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust with employees and leaders.
• Ability to balance strategic HC initiatives with hands-on operational delivery.
• High accuracy in documentation, compliance, and reporting.
• Demonstrated integrity in handling sensitive employee data.