National People Operations Manager (Bellville )

Econo Foods; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company is seeking a National People Operations Manager in Bellville. The successful candidate will lead HR processes across the organization, ensuring operational efficiency and a high-performance culture. Responsibilities include driving recruitment, managing performance, and ensuring compliance with labor laws. Preferred qualifications include a degree in HR or Industrial Psychology and 7–10 years of experience in HR management, especially in multi-site environments. This role presents an exciting opportunity to shape an inclusive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years HR generalist experience, with at least 3 years in a managerial role.
• Experience in retail, FMCG, manufacturing, or multi-site environments preferred.
• Proven experience in a national or multi-site environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive the People Ops strategy in alignment with business priorities.
• Lead the national People Ops team and ensure aligned execution of HR practices.
• Oversee recruitment strategy, quality of hire, and succession planning.

Skills

Exceptional relationship-building

Strong emotional intelligence

Data-driven decision-making

Strong planning and prioritisation

Strong communication skills

Education

HR / Industrial Psychology / Business Degree

Job description

National People Operations Manager (Bellville)

Job Location: Western Cape, Bellville

Deadline: January 04, 2026

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• The National People Operations Manager leads the delivery of all People Operations processes across the organisation. This role drives excellence in recruitment, learning & development, employee relations, performance management, and HR governance across all business units.
• The role ensures consistency, compliance, and operational efficiency while enabling a high‑performance, values‑driven culture.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

People Operations Leadership

• Drive the People Ops strategy in alignment with business priorities and culture initiatives.
• Lead the national People Ops team and ensure aligned execution of HR practices across all regions.
• Ensure line leaders receive accurate, timely People Ops support to enable operational success.
• Partner with business leaders to support growth, productivity, organisational effectiveness, and leadership capability.
• Drive People Ops alignment across Retail, Logistics, Production, B2B, and Central Office environments (where applicable).

Team Management

• Lead, coach, and develop regional and site‑based People Operations teams.
• Ensure clear role clarity, capacity planning, and performance management within the People Ops function.
• Build strong capability across the team in recruitment, IR, performance management, employee engagement and company culture.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and a service‑oriented People Ops culture.

Recruitment, Workforce Planning & Talent Management

• Oversee workforce planning process, aligned to business demand and budget.
• Oversee recruitment strategy, quality of hire, time‑to‑fill, and succession pipelines.
• Ensure consistent recruitment standards, tools, and assessment practices across the business.
• Partner with leadership on succession planning, leadership development, and critical role coverage.

Employee Relations & Labour Relations

• Provide oversight and escalation support on complex employee and labour relations matters.
• Ensure consistent and fair application of disciplinary, grievance, incapacity, and performance management processes.
• Support organisational changes, restructures, and retrenchment consultations when required.

Performance Management, Rewards & Recognition

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of performance management frameworks.
• Drive pay equity, maintain role grading integrity, and reward governance.
• Support meaningful recognition practices that reinforce desired behaviours and culture.

Learning & Development, Capability & Leadership Development

• Lead the implementation of national training programs, including leadership, compliance, and skills development.
• Support the School of Excellence and SETA learning initiatives.
• Monitor training effectiveness, workplace application, and make recommendations on ROI.
• Support the design and rollout of national learning and development initiatives.
• Ensure leadership development programmes are aligned to organisational values and capability needs.
• Promote a continuous learning culture across all levels of the business.

Policy, Governance & Legislative Compliance

• Ensure compliance with South African labour legislation (LRA, BCEA, EEA, SDA, OHSA) and internal policies.
• Oversee the development, review, and consistent application of People Ops policies and procedures.
• Ensure strong People Ops governance, audits, and risk mitigation practices.

People Data, Insights & Reporting

• Own national People Operations metrics, reporting, and dashboards (e.g. turnover, vacancies, IR cases, training, engagement).
• Use people data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for operational improvements.
• Prepare people‑related inputs for People Operations Executive.
• Drive continuous improvement through evidence‑based People Ops practices.

Culture, Engagement & Change Management

• Champion organisational culture, values, and employee engagement nationally.
• Embed company values (e.g., HO HOLA culture) into People Ops practices.
• Lead initiatives that enhance engagement, retention and employee experience.

KEY SUCCESS METRICS (KPI’S)

• Quality of hire, workforce stability, reduce turnover and capability growth.
• Leadership Development and Learning and Development programme execution.
• Leadership satisfaction and effectiveness of People Ops partnering.
• Employee engagement and culture indicators.
• Compliance and governance outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• HR / Industrial Psychology / Business Degree (Honours advantageous).
• 7–10 years HR generalist experience, with at least 3 years in a managerial role – leading a HR team.
• Experience in retail, FMCG, manufacturing, supply chain or multi‑site environments strongly preferred.
• Proven experience in a national, multi‑site or distributed environment.
• Experience leading a team of People Operations and working with senior leadership teams.
• Proven experience representing organisations at CCMA and/or bargaining councils.
• Exposure to change management.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Exceptional relationship‑building and interpersonal skills, aligned to the HO HOLA values.
• Friendly, helpful, confident, humble, and team‑oriented with strong emotional intelligence.
• Deep knowledge of South African labour law and People Ops (HR) best practice.
• Proven ability to lead multi‑site, multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive presence.
• Data‑driven decision‑making and problem‑solving.
• Change leadership and resilience.
• High emotional intelligence and sound judgement.
• Ability to operate in a competitive, high‑pressure, dynamic retail environment.
• Strong planning, prioritisation and execution skills.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to influence and build trust.
• High accuracy, attention to detail and strong administrative capability.
• Demonstrates integrity, ownership, resilience and willingness to go the extra mile.
• Willingness to travel.

CLOSING DATE

19 DECEMBER 2025