Human Resources Manager at Astral Foods Ltd

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, Industrial Psychology, or related field
• 8–10 years’ HR experience, with at least 4–5 years in an operational HR management role
• Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, agriculture, or processing environments
• Experience managing large workforces and TES arrangements
• Own vehicle with a valid driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively between sites as required
• Strong operational HR generalist capability
• Solid employee relations and disciplinary process expertise
• Sound knowledge of South African labour legislation
• Ability to operate effectively in a unionised, labour-intensive environment
• High attention to detail and administrative discipline
• Strong problem-solving and conflict management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple sites
• Ability to work extended hours during peak production or employee relations periods
• Microsoft Office Suite advanced (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook & MS PowerPoint)
• Good knowledge and experience using payroll, recruitment and HR digital platforms

THE KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ROLE ARE:

Operational HR Management

• Manage and coordinate all HR activities across the business unit, ensuring effective day-to-day HR service delivery.
• Implement corporate HR policies, procedures, and systems at site level.
• Provide practical HR support to line managers in managing employees across operational and agricultural environments.
• Ensure HR processes support production, farming, and commercial operational requirements.

Employment Relations & Labour Administration

• Manage employee relations across all sites, including disciplinary processes, grievances, incapacity cases, and misconduct investigations.
• Chair and oversee disciplinary hearings where required.
• Support and guide line management in applying disciplinary and grievance procedures correctly and consistently.
• Work closely with the Regional ER Manager on complex cases, industrial action, and CCMA matters.
• Maintain sound relationships with trade unions and employee representatives at operational level.

Compliance and Legislative adherence

• Ensure compliance with all applicable South African labour legislation, including BCEA, LRA, EEA, OHSA, UIF, COIDA, and sectoral determinations.
• Ensure accurate HR records, employee files, contracts, and policy acknowledgments are maintained.
• Manage HR-related audits and inspections at site level.
• Monitor and manage compliance risks associated with TES employees.

Recruitment, Workforce Planning & TES management

• Coordinate recruitment and selection processes for permanent and TES employees in line with operational needs.
• Ensure proper onboarding and induction of employees across sites.
• Manage headcount, vacancies, and labour utilisation in collaboration with operations and finance.
• Oversee relationships and service levels with TES providers.

Performance Management & Skills Development

• Implement and manage performance management processes at operational level.
• Support managers in addressing poor performance and conducting performance reviews.
• Identify training and development needs and facilitate skills development initiatives.
• Support implementation of learnerships, internships, and skills programmes relevant to the operation.

Payroll, Benefits & HR Administration

• Oversee payroll input, employee movements, and changes to ensure accurate and timely payroll processing.
• Manage employee benefits administration in conjunction with the Benefits Administrator and Finance.
• Ensure effective management of leave, attendance, and time-keeping systems.
• Monitor labour costs and overtime in collaboration with line management.

Employment Equity & Reporting

• Coordinate Employment Equity implementation and reporting for the business unit.
• Support transformation initiatives and ensure fair employment practices.
• Prepare and submit HR reports, including headcount, turnover, absenteeism, and disciplinary statistics.

HR Team leadership

• Manage and supervise the HR team (HR Officer Commercial, HR Officer Agriculture, Benefits Administrator, HR Administrator, HR Interns & Temporary HR Support staff, ensuring effective allocation of work and service delivery.
• Coach and develop HR Officers and interns to build operational HR capability.
• Ensure HR staff maintain a consistent and professional presence across sites.

Stakeholder engagement & Site support

• Maintain regular on-site engagement across all operational locations.
• Build strong working relationships with operational managers, supervisors, unions, and service providers.
• Provide practical HR support during operational changes, peak periods, and labour-intensive cycles.