KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Disciplinary & Grievance Management
- Manage the full disciplinary lifecycle, including investigations, drafting charge sheets, chairing (when required) and supporting disciplinary hearings, determining appropriate sanctions, and advising on outcomes to ensure business consistency.
- Ensure procedural and substantive fairness in all disciplinary actions in line with legislation, case law, and internal policies.
- Handle employee grievances, providing guidance on fair process, conflict resolution, and consistent application of IR principles.
- Support early intervention and informal resolution where appropriate to limit escalation of disputes.
CCMA & External Dispute Resolution
- Represent the organisation at CCMA and relevant bargaining councils for conciliations and arbitrations.
- Prepare cases thoroughly, including evidence packs, witness preparation, legal arguments, and strategy.
- Present cases effectively and professionally, safeguarding the organisation’s interests and reputation.
- Track outcomes, award compliance, and lessons learnt to strengthen future IR practices.
- Provide guidance and assistance to People Operations partners in terms of the above should they be designated to oversee the CCMA cases.
Trade Union & Collective Bargaining and Workers Forum Engagements
- Maintain constructive and professional relationships with recognised trade unions and employee representatives.
- Support and participate in collective bargaining processes, consultations, worker forums and assist the Legal Operations Manager with negotiations as needed.
- Manage union engagements, shop steward interactions, and workplace forums in line with recognition agreements.
- Proactively address potential labour risks and tensions to promote stable labour relations.
IR Advisory & Business Partnering
- Provide practical, commercially sound IR advice to People Operations Partners and Line Leaders on labour law, discipline, grievances, incapacity, misconduct, poor performance, and workplace conflict.
- Guide leaders through complex or sensitive employee relations matters with empathy, consistency, and risk awareness.
- Advise on fair performance management and corrective processes aligned with company standards and values.
Training & Capability Building
- Train and coach all Line Leaders, Supervisors and People Operations Partners on labour relations policies, disciplinary procedures, grievance handling, and fair people management practices.
- Build IR competence within leadership to ensure consistent and confident handling of employee matters at operational level.
- Develop and update IR toolkits, guides, and templates for Line Leaders and People Operations Partners.
Legislative Compliance & Governance
- Ensure ongoing compliance with South African labour legislation, including the LRA, BCEA, EEA, SDA, and relevant Codes of Good Practice.
- Monitor changes in labour law and case law and translate these into practical guidance for the business.
- Ensure internal IR policies, procedures, and practices are up to date and fit for purpose.
Organisational Change & Restructuring Support
- Support organisational change initiatives including restructures, retrenchments (Section 189/189A), operational changes, and consultations.
- Prepare consultation documentation, facilitate consultation processes, and ensure legal compliance and fairness.
- Partner with leadership and People Ops to manage employee impact professionally and ethically.
Reporting & Case Management
- Maintain accurate and confidential IR case files and documentation.
- Prepare monthly IR reports and dashboards, tracking trends such as disciplinaries, grievances, disputes, CCMA outcomes, and labour risk indicators.
- Use insights to recommend proactive interventions and continuous improvement in IR practices.
KEY SUCCESS METRICS (KPI’S):
- Reduction in CCMA referrals and adverse awards.
- Quality and consistency of disciplinary and grievance outcomes.
- Compliance with IR processes, legislation, and timelines.
- Line Leader capability and confidence in handling IR matters.
- Constructive union relationships and stable labour environment.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
- Relevant qualification in Labour Relations (LLB degree will be advantage).
- Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in labour relations/employee relations.
- Proven experience representing organisations at CCMA and/or bargaining councils.
- Experience working in unionised environments and supporting collective bargaining.
- Exposure to organisational change and restructuring processes.
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
- Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills, aligned to the HO HOLA values.
- Friendly, helpful, confident, humble, and team-oriented with strong emotional intelligence.
- Ability to operate in a competitive, high-pressure, dynamic retail environment.
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to influence and build trust.
- High accuracy, attention to detail, and strong administrative capability.
- Demonstrates integrity, ownership, resilience, and a willingness to go the extra mile.
CLOSING DATE
31 DECEMBER 2025
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