HR Business Partner

HR Business Partner forms part of the subsidiary leadership team, and is responsible for overseeing all human resources operations, influencing company culture, ensuring compliance with legislation, promoting employee engagement and aligning HR initiatives with the business objectives and overall Subsidiary and Metair HR strategy.

Role responsibilities and key activities:

Strategic HR Leadership

• Partner with subsidiary leadership to execute the Metair people strategy that supports business growth and operational targets.
• Act as an advisor to the site leadership team, driving a high-performance culture.
• Manage the HR budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness while maintaining a competitive employee value proposition.

Operational HR and Employee Relations

• Provide expert leadership in all aspects of South African Labour Law.
• Manage complex disciplinary hearings, grievances and restructuring processes with precision to mitigate risk.
• Ensure visibility, accessibility and effectiveness of the HR team.
• Oversee Employee Wellness services (clinic and EWP) to ensure effective promotion of employees’ health and / or personal wellbeing.

Performance and Culture

• Drive employee engagement strategies to improve staff retention; using dipstick surveys and stay interviews to gauge morale.
• Oversee the performance management cycle, ensuring calibration across teams and fair execution of improvement plans.

Total Rewards and Compliance

• Ensure payroll accuracy and integrity by liaising with the Payroll team and signing off inputs.
• Liaise with Payroll in management of employee benefits (Medical Aid, Pension / Provident Fund) in line with market norms and Group standards.
• Ensure strict compliance with health and safety regulations (OHSA) and POPIA (data protection) regarding employee data.
• Ensure that HR processes are aligned with Business strategy.

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Work with the recruitment team at the HR Hub level to ensure recruitment of the right people.
• Manage staff sourcing in a manner that ensures attraction of prospective employees.
• Ensure effective onboarding of new employees and their integration into the company culture.

Qualifications & Experience:

• BCom / bachelor’s degree in human resources or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in a senior / management role, with proven track record of practical involvement in all aspects relating to the above.
• Software application experience in MS Office, Excellent Excel skills
• Thorough knowledge of Employment and Labour Legislation
• Knowledge of the National Bargaining Council for the Motor Industry and Main Agreement will be an advantage

Skills/Attributes:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Results-driven with a proactive mindset.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet strict deadlines.