HR Business Partner

Merchant West; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 580,000; Full time

Job summary

Merchant West is seeking an HR Business Partner to provide hands-on HR support, partnering with managers to deliver practical people solutions that drive performance and engagement in Gauteng, South Africa.

The role focuses on operational excellence, employee relations, and HR initiative implementation while developing broader business partnering capability over time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Industrial Psychology or related field.
• 3–5 years HR experience in a generalist or junior HRBP role.
• Experience managing employee relations processes.
• Exposure to recruitment, performance management and HR reporting.
• Financial services experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on HR support to allocated business units and partner with managers to deliver practical people solutions.
• Act as first point of contact for managers and employees on HR policies and people matters.
• Support managers with people decisions, ensuring fairness and consistency.
• Escalate complex or high-risk matters to Head of HR where required.
• Support the recruitment process (job specs, shortlisting, interview coordination, offers).
• Partner with managers to ensure quality hiring decisions and facilitate onboarding and probation tracking.
• Support the implementation of the performance management cycle and guide managers on goal setting and feedback.
• Assist with Training Needs Analysis and coordinate compliance training.
• Manage routine ER cases in line with labour legislation and maintain accurate HR records.
• Support engagement surveys and action planning, and assist with culture initiatives.
• Ensure accurate HRIS data management and provide monthly HR metrics.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

South African labour legislation

HR case management

HR reporting & data analysis

Recruitment support

Interview support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR / Industrial Psychology / related field

Tools

HRIS proficiency

Job description

Role Purpose:

The HR Business Partner provides hands‑on HR support to allocated business units, partnering with managers to deliver practical people solutions that support performance, engagement, and compliance. The role focuses on operational excellence, employee relations, and implementation of HR initiatives, while developing broader business partnering capability over time.

Main Accountabilities:

HR Advisory & Business Support

• Act as first point of contact for managers and employees on HR policies, procedures, and people matters.
• Provide practical guidance on day‑to‑day employee relations issues.
• Support managers with people decisions, ensuring fairness and consistency.
• Escalate complex or high‑risk matters to Head of HR where required.

Recruitment & Onboarding

• Support the recruitment process (job specs, shortlisting, interview coordination, offers).
• Partner with managers to ensure quality hiring decisions.
• Facilitate onboarding and probation tracking.
• Monitor new hire integration and retention.

Performance Management

• Support the implementation of the performance management cycle.
• Guide managers on goal setting, feedback, and performance conversations.
• Assist with underperformance processes under guidance from Head of HR.

Learning & Development

• Assist with Training Needs Analysis.
• Coordinate training initiatives and track compliance training.
• Support implementation of Individual Development Plans (IDPs).

Employee Relations & Compliance

• Manage routine ER cases (disciplinary, grievance, incapacity) in line with labour legislation.
• Ensure compliance with BCEA, LRA, EE Act and internal policies.
• Maintain accurate case documentation and HR records.
• Support audits and reporting requirements.

Engagement & Culture

• Support engagement surveys and action planning.
• Assist with implementation of culture and recognition initiatives.
• Partner with managers to address team engagement concerns.

HR Operations & Reporting

• Ensure accurate HRIS data management.
• Provide monthly HR metrics (turnover, absenteeism, recruitment tracking, ER cases).
• Support payroll inputs and checks where required.
• Identify practical process improvement opportunities.

Additional HR Projects & Duties

• Undertake any other reasonable duties, special assignments, or HR projects as requested by the Head of HR or business leadership, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to evolving organisational needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in HR / Industrial Psychology / related field.

Experience:

• 3–5 years’ HR experience in a generalist or junior HRBP role.
• Experience managing employee relations processes.
• Exposure to recruitment, performance management and HR reporting.
• Financial services experience advantageous.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of South African labour legislation
• HR case management and documentation
• HR reporting and data analysis
• Recruitment and interview support
• HR systems proficiency

Competencies:

• Relationship building and stakeholder engagement
• Professional communication
• Problem solving and judgement
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Customer service orientation