HR People Partner / HR Manager- Pharma

Antal International; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global pharmaceutical organization seeks a Principal HR People Partner in Johannesburg, South Africa. This role involves serving as a strategic advisor to leadership, managing HR operations, and ensuring compliance with local labor laws. Applicants should have a relevant bachelor's degree and 5–7 years of HR experience, preferably in multinational environments. Excellent coaching skills and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures are essential. This position offers a hybrid working model with a monthly salary of 55,000 ZAR net plus benefits.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years HR experience within multinational, matrixed organizations.
• Strong background as an HR Generalist or HR People Partner.
• Proven experience in labour relations and union negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic advisor and coach to business leaders.
• Lead HR partnership across talent, engagement, and operational excellence.
• Manage local HR service delivery and compliance with South African law.

Skills

Strategic partnership

Performance management

Employee relations

Change management

Coaching capability

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, Psychology, or related

HR certification

Job description

Job Description

We are recruiting a Principal HR People Partner / HR Manager to be based in Johannesburg, South Africa for our client which is a leading global pharmaceutical organization, recognized for its strong scientific heritage, innovative product portfolio, and unwavering commitment to improving patient outcomes worldwide. Operating across international markets, the company fosters a culture of ethics, collaboration, and high performance, empowering professionals to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

Salary: 55,000 ZAR Monthly Net + Annual Bonus + 13th Month Salary

Hybrid Working Model

Role Purpose

As the Principal HR People Partner, you will serve as a strategic advisor and coach to business leaders and employees, driving workforce performance and organizational effectiveness.

You will provide end-to-end HR partnership across talent, engagement, change, and operational excellence, while ensuring full compliance with South African labour legislation and corporate policies.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

Strategic & Business Partnership

• Act as a trusted partner to the Regional Director and leadership team.
• Actively contribute to business strategy through workforce planning, organizational design, and people initiatives.
• Lead and support organizational change, ensuring clear communication, stakeholder alignment, and employee adoption.
• Develop and implement initiatives that enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention.

People Advisory & Leadership Enablement

• Provide expert HR advisory and coaching to managers on complex people matters including:
• Performance management & PIPs
• Employee relations & investigations
• Misconduct, grievance, and disciplinary processes
• Organizational effectiveness & change management
• Enable leaders to strengthen their people leadership capabilities through coaching and guidance.

Talent & Workforce Programs

• Lead and execute cyclical and strategic people processes:
• Talent Reviews, Calibration, CMS, ESOP
• Career & succession planning
• Development assignments & service awards
• Compensation and benefits consulting
• Partner with HR Service Delivery on:
• Recruitment & workforce planning
• Learning & development programs
• Leadership onboarding & assimilation

Local HR Operations & Compliance

• Own and manage local HR service delivery including:
• Labour relations and dispute management
• Performance management and exits
• Long-term sickness and wellness cases
• Onboarding & offboarding
• Monthly payroll input and reporting
• Benefits administration (Medical Aid & Provident Fund)
• Ensure full compliance with:
• South African labour law & DOL requirements
• Employment Equity & Workplace Skills reporting
• Workmen’s Compensation submissions

Governance, Audit & Regulatory Reporting

• Lead preparation and support for: Annual external audit; Annual Workplace Skills Plan (WSP); Employment Equity (EE) Report; Workmen’s Compensation report
• Serve as key HR liaison with Finance, Legal, HR COEs, and Country Leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (HR, Business, Psychology, or related) — HR certification preferred.
• 5–7+ years HR experience within multinational, matrixed organizations.
• Strong background as an HR Generalist / HR People Partner, ideally in Pharma, Medical Equipment Manufacturing, FMCG Multinationals.
• Proven experience in: Labour relations & union/employee body negotiations; Complex stakeholder management; Hybrid & matrix organizational structures; Change management and organizational transformation

Key Competencies

• Strong influencing and coaching capability
• Excellent judgment in handling sensitive matters
• High emotional intelligence & credibility with senior leaders
• Commercial acumen and business-first mindset
• Ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity
• Highly collaborative and solution-oriented