Manager, Labour Relations at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa

Job Description

• This role leads and coordinates Labour Relations strategy, planning, and execution across the plants. The role is responsible for building positive employee and union relationships, managing collective agreements, employee grievances, disciplinary matters, disputes, and external proceedings such as CCMA cases. 

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate Labour Relations strategy, planning, and annual cycle activities across the plant. 
• Develop, implement, review, and maintain Labour Relations policies, processes, governance frameworks, and compliance requirements. 
• Build and maintain constructive relationships between employees, unions, management, HR, and other key stakeholders. 
• Provide expert guidance to business leaders, HR partners, and line managers on Labour Relations strategy, labour legislation, collective agreements, policy interpretation, and risk mitigation. 
• Manage the administration and consistent interpretation of collective agreements, ensuring alignment with company policies and legal requirements. 
• Lead and support grievance handling, disciplinary processes, investigations, domestic enquiries, dispute resolution, complaints management, and related case administration. 
• Represent the business at CCMA and other external Labour Relations proceedings, including case preparation, documentation, coordination, and follow-through. 
• Assess union dynamics, Labour Relations risks, workforce sentiment, and shop-floor intelligence; develop proactive mitigation and engagement plans. 
• Promote a positive and productive industrial relations climate through effective communication, employee engagement initiatives, recognition programmes, and workforce development activities. 
• Support workforce planning, hiring, restructuring, right-sizing, manufacturing footprint discussions, and wage mandate development. 
• Develop and manage labour metrics, workforce demographics, labour economics, reporting, analytics, and budget estimates to support informed decision-making. 
• Monitor changes in labour legislation and assess the potential impact on the workforce and business operations. 
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of statutory compliance reports and Labour Relations information to government agencies, regional/global Labour Affairs teams, and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Design and deliver Labour Relations capability-building initiatives for HR teams, line supervisors, and operational leaders managing hourly employees. 
• Support the administration of hourly employee benefits and resolve related HRBP and operational HR matters. 
• Ensure site-wide adherence to corporate practices, the Code of Conduct, human-rights requirements and applicable company policies. 
• Lead, coach, and develop the Labour Relations team as well as other teams , while maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and high standards of employee service.

Qualifications

• Degree in Labour Relations or Human Resources or LLB degree or relevant degree 
• 5 > years demonstrated application of the required skills and related experience in a manufacturing environment 
• A strong background in Labour Relations is essential in a highly Unionized environment
• Demonstrated experience and successful track record in representing employer at CCMA or Bargaining Council