Mossel Bay
POSITION PURPOSE
The HR Generalist will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day Human Resources function at the company, providing professional HR support to all departments, managers and employees.
The successful candidate will centralise HR responsibilities currently handled by individual managers and ensure that employee-related matters are managed consistently, professionally and in accordance with company policies and South African labour legislation.
The position requires a suitably qualified, experienced and confident HR professional who can work independently in a manufacturing environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. HR Administration & Employee Records
• Manage all HR administration and maintain accurate, confidential employee records.
• Manage employment contracts, appointments, transfers, promotions, probation and terminations.
• Manage leave, attendance, absenteeism and other employee records.
• Coordinate employee onboarding and offboarding.
• Provide accurate HR information to payroll and management.
• Maintain HR registers, reports and documentation.
• Identify staffing requirements with departmental managers.
• Coordinate new employee induction.
• Assist management with workforce planning and staffing requirements.

3. Employee Relations & Labour Relations
• Act as the central point of contact for employee-related matters.
• Provide guidance to managers and employees on workplace issues.
• Manage grievances, complaints, disciplinary matters, misconduct, incapacity and poor performance processes.
• Ensure fair and consistent application of company policies and procedures.
• Assist with CCMA and other labour-related matters where required.
• Keep management informed of relevant labour legislation and potential employee-related risks.

4. Performance, Training & Development
• Implement and maintain performance-management processes.
• Coordinate probation and performance reviews.
• Identify training and development requirements.
• Coordinate training and maintain training records.
• Assist with employee development.

5. HR Policies, Procedures & Compliance
• Develop, implement and maintain HR policies and procedures.
• Ensure policies are consistently applied across all departments.
• Ensure compliance with applicable South African employment legislation.
• Review HR practices and recommend improvements where necessary.
• Maintain appropriate HR documentation and audit readiness.

6. Employee Engagement & Workplace Support
• Build positive and professional relationships with employees and management.
• Assist with employee concerns, workplace communication and employee wellness initiatives.
• Identify recurring employee or workplace issues and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Promote a fair, professional and productive workplace environment.

7. HR Reporting & Management Support
• Prepare regular HR reports covering headcount, turnover, absenteeism, leave, vacancies, disciplinary matters and other relevant HR indicators.
• Identify trends and potential HR risks.
• Provide management with professional HR advice and recommendations.
• Act as the central HR resource for all departments.

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AUTHORITY & RESPONSIBILITY
The HR Generalist will take ownership of the central HR function at the company.
Departmental and factory managers remain responsible for the operational management and performance of their teams, while the HR Generalist will be responsible for the HR processes, policies, employee relations and labour-related requirements affecting those teams.
The successful candidate must be confident in providing guidance to management, raising concerns and recommending appropriate action when HR or labour-related risks are identified.
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MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Human Resources, Labour Relations or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years' HR generalist experience.
• Strong knowledge of South African labour legislation.
• Experience in disciplinary, grievance and performance-management processes.
• Experience with recruitment and selection.
• Strong HR administration and record-keeping experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment would be advantageous.
• Experience with Sage or other HR/payroll systems would be advantageous.
• Good computer literacy and Microsoft Office skills.
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KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
The successful candidate must be:
• Professional, approachable and confident.
• Firm but fair.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented.
• Discreet and trustworthy.
• Able to handle confidential information.
• Comfortable dealing with conflict and difficult situations.
• Able to communicate effectively with both employees and management.
• Capable of working independently and taking ownership.
• Able to advise and challenge management when necessary.
• Practical and comfortable working in a manufacturing environment