Operational Lead HR Business Partner (East London)

Nestle; East London; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food and beverage company seeks an Operational Lead HR Business Partner in East London. The role involves driving HR strategies aligned with business objectives, fostering employee engagement, and ensuring compliance with HR policies. Candidates should possess a degree in HR, with 5-8 years in operations HR management, along with knowledge of labor laws. This position offers a dynamic workplace focused on performance and talent management.

Qualifications

• 5 - 8 years of experience in Factory or Operations HR Management.
• Proven experience in a highly unionized manufacturing environment.
• In-depth knowledge of South African labor laws.

Responsibilities

• Drive implementation of HR strategies aligned with business goals.
• Establish effective relationships with stakeholders.
• Manage performance and talent development.

Skills

HR Generalist Experience

Employee Relations

Talent Management

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in HR or similar

Job description

Job title: Operational Lead HR Business Partner (East London)

Job Location: Eastern Cape, East London

Deadline: November 24, 2025

Position Summary

You will be responsible for the implementation of people agenda within the East London factory and the driving force behind implementation of people plan aligned with business agenda. You will also represent the complete HR Service / Value Chain for the site.

A day in the life of a Operational Lead HR Business Partner at Nestle :

Contribute to & Execute the HR Strategy

• Contribute to the execution of the business plan through the creation (where appropriate) and implementation of People Strategies that attract, develop and retain employees.
• Support the organizational short, long-term business needs to drive competitive advantage and address opportunities and threats.

Organizational Design & Development

• Pro-actively challenge the established organizational structure of the function to drive superior performance (taking account of Nestlé principles, policies & local business context).
• Ensure people issues are a key consideration when discussing and planning business activities.

Employee Engagement

• Establish and maintain effective win-win working relationships with managers, employees and their representatives through an environment that fosters communication and co-operation.
• Promote and foster a culture and environment that is productive, open, empowering, safe and equitable and coach others to behave and make decisions in line with Nestlé Management and Leadership Principles and Nestlé Corporate Business Principles.
• Responsible for compliance in HR (policies and practices).

Performance & Talent Management

• Ensure Performance and Talent Management at individual and team level, drive the achievement of business goals through objective and development plan setting, performance calibration and talent development.
• Lead talent review / calibration at the site to ensure high performance is rewarded and developed in line with the Management Development Cycle.
• Facilitate implementation of function succession planning and talent management plans that support business goals.

What will make you successful?

• Bachelor’s degree in HR or a similar qualification.
• Minimum 5 - 8 years’ experience in a Factory or Operations HR Management position with strong HR Generalist and ER experience.
• You must have exposure to Core HR processes, i.e. Talent Management, Learning & Development, Employee Relations, Compensation & Benefits, Recruitment, Performance management.
• Proven working experience in a highly unionized manufacturing environment and handling CCMA proceedings such as conciliations and arbitrations.
• In-depth knowledge, application and understanding of labour laws such as LRA-Labour Relations Act, BCEA-Basic Conditions of Employment Act, EEA- Employment Equity Act and SDA-Skills Development Act.
• Experience in implementation & execution of people strategies for a business, function or unit.
• Experience working in a matrix environment and driving results through effective influence and collaboration.
• Exemplify integrity and practice high level of confidentiality.
• Demonstrable courage to constructively challenge.