Industrial Relations Manager - Non Unionized Environment

Helen Wilson Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Helen Wilson Recruitment is seeking an Industrial Relations Manager for a luxury premium brand retail group in Johannesburg. The role ensures fair and legally compliant people practices across multiple sites in a non-unionised environment.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in Employee/Industrial Relations, strong CCMA experience, and a solid understanding of SA labour law. You will advise management, oversee investigations, and chair hearings while maintaining robust ER records and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Labour Law, Labour Relations, Human Resources or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification or professional certification in Labour Law/Employee Relations is advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in Employee Relations, Industrial Relations or Labour Law.
• Experience in a non-unionised environment is essential
• Experience managing disciplinary and grievance processes and chairing hearings.
• Strong experience with CCMA conciliation and arbitration.
• Sound knowledge of South African labour legislation and statutory requirements.
• Strong communication, investigation, facilitation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in multi-site retail environment preferred
• Retail or luxury industry experience is advantageous
• Proficiency in MS Office and HR/ER case management systems.

Responsibilities

• Ensure strict adherence to South African labour legislation and statutory compliance.
• Provide strategic advice to management regarding employee relations and labour laws.
• Conduct practical training sessions for managers and staff on labour legislation and ER practices.
• Oversee conflict resolution, mediation, workplace investigations, and employee relations issues.
• Direct comprehensive disciplinary, grievance, and incapacity procedures from start to finish.
• Serve as the corporate representative for the company at the CCMA and applicable bargaining councils.
• Formulate, update, and implement internal HR policies and protocols.
• Handle OHS compliance alongside the administration of COIDA and injury-on-duty (IOD) claims.
• Supervise the submission and coordination of Employment Equity, WSP, and ATR frameworks.
• Keep precise case registers, ER records, and all related documentation.
• Examine ER trends and generate actionable insights for executive-level reporting.

Skills

CCMA experience

Disciplinary handling

Grievance handling

Stakeholder management

Investigation & facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Labour Law/IR/HR

Postgraduate qualification in Labour Law/Employee Relations

Tools

MS Office

HR/ER case management systems

Job description

Industrial Relations Manager - Non Unionized Environment

Luxury Premium brand retail company

650k to 850k neg

This is a key role within our HR function, responsible for ensuring fair, consistent and legally compliant people practices across the business.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Labour Law, Labour Relations, Human Resources or a related field.
• A postgraduate qualification or professional certification in Labour Law/Employee Relations and/or SABPP registration will be advantageous
• Minimum 5 years' experience in Employee Relations, Industrial Relations or Labour Law.
• Candidates from a unionised environment will be excluded
• Proven experience managing disciplinary and grievance processes and chairing hearings.
• Strong experience with CCMA conciliation and arbitration.
• Sound knowledge of South African labour legislation and statutory requirements.
• Strong communication, investigation, facilitation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in a multi-site retail environment is essential
• Retail or luxury industry experience would be an enormous advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office and HR/ER case management systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure strict adherence to South African labour legislation and statutory compliance.
• Provide strategic advice to management regarding employee relations and labour laws.
• Conduct practical training sessions for managers and staff on labour legislation and ER practices.
• Oversee conflict resolution, mediation, workplace investigations, and employee relations issues.
• Direct comprehensive disciplinary, grievance, and incapacity procedures from start to finish.
• Serve as the corporate representative for the company at the CCMA and applicable bargaining councils.
• Formulate, update, and implement internal HR policies and protocols.
• Handle OHS compliance alongside the administration of COIDA and injury-on-duty (IOD) claims.
• Supervise the submission and coordination of Employment Equity, WSP, and ATR frameworks.
• Keep precise case registers, ER records, and all related documentation.
• Examine ER trends and generate actionable insights for executive-level reporting.