Employee Relations Manager

OutsideCapital; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700 000 - 950 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in the FMCG industry is seeking an Employee Relations expert to guide strategic initiatives and implement robust industrial relations policies. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of progressive experience in Employee Relations, a solid understanding of South African labour legislation, and strong leadership capabilities. This is an opportunity to influence decision-making and foster a collaborative culture across the organization.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Employee Relations at various strategic levels.
• Track record of managing mediations and arbitrations successfully.
• Strong business acumen with relevant FMCG experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and govern Industrial Relations policies aligning with group strategy.
• Benchmark and implement best practices for Employee Relations.
• Coach senior leadership on ER strategy and processes.

Skills

Employee Relations expertise

Problem-solving skills

Leadership skills

Understanding of South African labour legislation

Education

Post-graduate degree in Labour Relations or HR

Job description

Our client is a significant player within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, deeply committed to operational excellence and maintaining a high-performance culture across its diverse business units. They are dedicated to pioneering best-in-class operating models and ensuring compliance with evolving labour legislation while fostering a purpose-led, inclusive environment for all employees. Joining them means becoming a crucial strategic partner in shaping the future of their employee relations landscape.

Are you a seasoned Employee Relations expert ready to lead strategic change in a dynamic, large-scale environment? This is a unique opportunity to move beyond day-to-day management and drive the development of robust industrial relations policies and cutting-edge ER strategies aligned with a major group HR vision. You will be instrumental in assessing and integrating complex labour models (including insourcing/outsourcing strategies) to build a truly best-in-class structure. This role offers significant scope to influence decision-making, implement enabling technology for ER tracking, and act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership across multiple key operational regions. If you thrive on complex problem-solving, championing organizational culture, and translating legal requirements into practical, effective solutions, this leadership role is your next career move.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and govern robust Industrial Relations policies and procedures, ensuring strict alignment with group strategy and current labour legislation compliance.
• Serve as the centre of excellence for Employee Relations, actively benchmarking and implementing leading-edge technologies and best practices to advance ER capabilities across the organization.
• Lead the critical assessment and strategic integration of evolving labour models (e.g., hybrid structures, insourcing/outsourcing) to architect a superior operating model for key business segments.
• Actively coach and consult with senior Heads and operational members on the effective deployment of the overarching ER strategy, processes, and tools.
• Represent the organization successfully in dispute resolution forums, including CCMA cases and Labour Court proceedings, ensuring positive and lasting outcomes.
• Cultivate and maintain excellent, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders (management, employees, union representatives) and external partners (legal counsel, government bodies) to drive successful project delivery.
• Drive the embedding of a purpose-led organizational culture through effective communication, facilitation, and consistent application of ER guidelines.

Requirements

Must-Haves (Essential)

• Post-graduate degree in Labour Relations, HR, or an equivalent qualification.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in Employee Relations, demonstrating proven success at operational, tactical, and strategic levels.
• Demonstrable track record managing mediations, conciliations, and arbitrations, with specific success documented at the CCMA/Labour Court.
• In-depth, sound understanding of core South African labour legislation (e.g., BCEA, LRA, EEA).
• Exceptional business acumen, coupled with strong creative problem-solving and decisive leadership skills, ideally within the FMCG sector.