Human Resource Manager (Distribution Centre)

Pedros; Pinetown; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Pedros is seeking an experienced HR Manager to lead the HR function across our Distribution Centre network. The role is senior, partnering with DC leadership and taking a hands-on approach in a fast-paced, shift-based environment.

You will translate business objectives into practical people solutions, manage employee relations, workforce planning, talent development and HR service delivery across multiple sites, ensuring compliance and operational support.

Qualifications

• Senior HR leadership experience in multi-site, high-volume operations.
• Strong knowledge of SA employment legislation (LRA, BCEA, EEA, COIDA, SDA, UIF).
• Experience with TES and workforce design.

Responsibilities

• Lead HR direction across the DC network and align people strategies with operations.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, and cost management.
• Manage employee relations, disciplinaries, grievances, and CCMA matters.
• Ensure HR governance, compliance and accurate records.
• Coach DC HR teams and drive performance management and development.

Skills

HR leadership

Employee relations

Labour law & compliance

Workforce planning

Talent management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in HR Management or related field

Job description

We are looking for an experienced HR Manager to lead and oversee the HR function across our Distribution Centre network.

This is a senior HR leadership role suited to an individual who is equally comfortable partnering with senior operational leaders and being hands‑on in a fast-paced, high-volume operational environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in translating business objectives into practical people solutions, while ensuring strong employee relations, labour compliance, workforce planning, talent management and HR service delivery.

We are looking for someone with a strong operational HR and employee relations background, who understands the demands of a shift‑based DC environment and can confidently manage complex people and labour matters. The ideal individual will have the ability to build credibility with DC leadership, coach and develop HR teams, identify people‑related risks and implement solutions that support both employees and business performance.

Duties And Responsibilities

HR Leadership & Business Partnership

• Lead and provide overall HR direction across the Distribution Centre network.
• Partner with DC Heads of Department, managers and supervisors to align people strategies with operational requirements.
• Translate organisational HR strategy into practical HR plans and measurable priorities.
• Advise operational leadership on workforce requirements, people risks, organisational capability and employee‑related decisions.
• Lead, coach and develop the DC HR team and ensure effective service delivery.
• Drive a consistent and professional HR approach across all assigned sites.

Workforce Planning & Resourcing

• Lead workforce planning in line with operational volumes, growth, shift requirements and business needs.
• Monitor permanent and temporary labour requirements and support effective TES utilisation and cost management.
• Partner with Recruitment and operational stakeholders to ensure timely recruitment for critical and specialist roles.
• Monitor headcount, vacancies, turnover and labour requirements.
• Support organisational design and workforce optimisation initiatives.

Employee Relations & Labour Risk

• Provide guidance and oversight on disciplinary, grievance, incapacity, poor performance and other employee relations matters.
• Ensure ER cases are managed consistently, fairly, timeously and in accordance with legislation and company policy.
• Support and/or represent the company at CCMA conciliations and arbitrations where required.
• Monitor employee relations trends and implement preventative interventions.
• Identify and manage labour risks, including potential work stoppages and collective employee action.
• Ensure appropriate case documentation, governance and escalation of material risks.

HR Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable employment legislation, company policies and governance requirements.
• Oversee compliance relating to the LRA, BCEA, Employment Equity Act, COIDA, Skills Development Act and UIF legislation.
• Provide oversight of Employment Equity, Department of Employment and Labour inspections, IOD administration and related compliance activities.
• Ensure HR records, SOPs, employee documentation and processes are consistently maintained.
• Identify HR risks and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and ethical standards when dealing with employee information.

Talent, Performance & Organisational Development

• Drive effective performance management across the Distribution Centres.
• Coach managers on performance expectations, performance improvement and employee development.
• Support talent reviews, succession planning, internal mobility and retention initiatives.
• Identify capability gaps and partner with L&D and operational leaders to address development needs.
• Strengthen the people‑management capability of DC managers and supervisors.
• Monitor completion and quality of performance reviews, IDPs and talent processes.

Culture & Employee Experience

• Promote company values and a positive, respectful and accountable workplace culture.
• Support employee engagement, communication and employee experience initiatives.
• Monitor employee morale, workplace concerns and engagement trends.
• Facilitate appropriate interventions where cultural or employee experience concerns are identified.
• Ensure HR remains visible, accessible and responsive to employees and operational management.

HR Operations, Reporting & Projects

• Oversee core HR processes including onboarding, offboarding, employee movements, time and attendance, payroll inputs and benefits administration.
• Ensure accurate and timely HR reporting, dashboards and workforce analytics.
• Drive improvements in HR processes, documentation, systems and reporting.
• Coordinate effectively with Payroll, Finance, Recruitment, L&D and other stakeholders.
• Lead and oversee HR projects and change initiatives.
• Monitor project outcomes and provide reporting and insights to leadership.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with DC leadership, operational managers and employees.
• Partner with Group HR and Centres of Excellence including Recruitment, ER, L&D and Training.
• Engage with external stakeholders including CCMA commissioners, bargaining councils, labour representatives, service providers and benefit providers where required.
• Ensure clear communication and appropriate escalation of material HR matters.

Requirements

• Matric
• Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management, Industrial Psychology, Labour Relations or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years' progressive HR experience, including relevant management-level exposure.
• Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing HR in a multi‑site, operational or high‑volume environment.
• Strong employee relations and labour relations experience, including disciplinary processes, grievances, incapacity, poor performance and CCMA matters.
• Strong knowledge of South African employment legislation, including the LRA, BCEA, EEA, COIDA, SDA and UIF.
• Experience in workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, talent development and HR governance.
• Experience managing, coaching and developing HR team members.
• Experience working with Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers and managing labour utilisation and cost considerations.
• Proven ability to partner with senior operational stakeholders and translate business requirements into practical HR solutions.

Advantageous

• Postgraduate qualification in HR Management, Labour Relations, Industrial Psychology or a related field.
• Relevant HR/labour relations professional certification or membership.
• Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, logistics, distribution or QSR.
• Experience working across multiple sites/DCs.
• Exposure to HRIS, reporting and dashboard tools.

The role requires someone who can operate across multiple Distribution Centres and travel between sites when required.