HR Assistant / HR Coordinator / HR Manager Industry- High-End Fashion, Retail & Café / Hospitality- Sandton

Introduction

A Reatil Fashion/cafe Company is seeking an organised, professional and people-focused HR Assistant, HR Coordinator or HR Manager to support and manage the human resources function across a growing portfolio of high-end fashion, retail and café businesses .

The level of appointment will depend on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who understands the demands of a fast-paced, customer-focused and operational environment. The successful candidate will work closely with management and employees to ensure effective recruitment, onboarding, employee administration, performance management, employee relations and compliance with HR policies and South African labour legislation.

The ideal candidate will be polished, proactive, highly organised and capable of building strong relationships across multiple stores, cafés and operational teams.

Sandton

Duties & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment & Talent Acquisition

• Coordinate and manage the recruitment process from job advertising through to appointment.

• Screen CVs and coordinate interviews with relevant managers.

• Conduct reference checks and assist with candidate selection.

• Prepare employment offers, contracts and appointment documentation.

• Support workforce planning and staffing requirements across stores and operational sites.

• Build and maintain a pipeline of suitable candidates for retail, fashion, café and hospitality positions.

Onboarding & Employee Administration

• Coordinate the onboarding of all new employees.

• Prepare and maintain employee files and HR documentation.

• Ensure all employment documentation is complete and accurately maintained.

• Coordinate induction and orientation programmes.

• Maintain accurate employee records and HR databases.

• Manage probation processes and follow up with relevant managers.

• Coordinate employee exits, including exit documentation and exit interviews where required.

Employee Relations

• Act as a first point of contact for employee HR queries.

• Support management in addressing employee relations matters.

• Assist with disciplinary and grievance processes.

• Prepare relevant documentation for counselling, warnings, disciplinary hearings and other employee relations processes.

• Promote positive employee engagement and workplace relationships.

• Escalate complex employee relations matters appropriately.

Performance & Talent Management

• Coordinate performance management processes.

• Support managers with performance reviews and employee development discussions.

• Monitor probation and performance review deadlines.

• Assist in identifying training and development requirements.

• Coordinate training initiatives where required.

• Support succession planning and talent development initiatives.

HR Policies & Compliance

• Assist with the implementation and maintenance of HR policies and procedures.

• Ensure HR practices comply with applicable South African labour legislation.

• Maintain confidentiality and ensure the secure handling of employee information.

• Support Employment Equity and other relevant reporting requirements where applicable.

• Assist with HR audits and compliance reviews.

• Ensure consistent implementation of company policies across all locations.

Payroll & HR Administration Support

• Prepare and submit relevant employee information for payroll processing.

• Monitor leave, absenteeism and attendance records.

• Assist with resolving payroll-related employee queries.

• Maintain accurate records relating to employee changes, remuneration and benefits.

• Work closely with Finance and Payroll to ensure accurate employee information.

Multi-Site HR Support

• Provide HR support across multiple fashion, retail and café locations.

• Build strong working relationships with Store Managers and operational teams.

• Conduct regular site visits where required.

• Ensure consistent HR processes and standards across all locations.

• Support managers with staffing, employee relations and performance matters.

Desired Experience & Qualification

Minimum Requirements

The successful candidate should have

• A relevant qualification in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Management or a related field .

• Experience appropriate to the level of appointment:

• HR Assistant: Approximately 1–3 years' HR administration experience.

• HR Coordinator: Approximately 3–5 years' generalist HR experience.

• HR Manager: 5+ years' HR generalist and management experience.

• Experience within retail, fashion, hospitality, café, restaurant or other fast-paced customer-facing environments will be highly advantageous.

• Experience supporting multiple stores or operational sites will be beneficial.

• A sound understanding of South African labour legislation and HR best practice.

• Experience with recruitment, onboarding and employee administration.

• Experience supporting employee relations and disciplinary processes.

• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word and Excel.

• Experience with HR and payroll systems will be advantageous.

Key Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• A professional and polished approach.

• Strong attention to detail.

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.

• The ability to manage confidential and sensitive information.

• Strong problem-solving ability.

• Emotional maturity and sound judgement.

• A proactive and hands-on approach.

• The ability to build relationships with employees and management.

• Strong conflict-management and employee relations skills.

• High levels of integrity and discretion.

• The ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

• Adaptability within a fast-paced and changing environment.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on HR professional who enjoys being involved in both the strategic and operational aspects of human resources.

They should be comfortable moving between a corporate office, fashion retail stores and café operations, supporting managers and employees while ensuring that HR processes are efficient, compliant and consistently applied.

A background in luxury retail, fashion, hospitality or premium customer-facing brands would be highly advantageous. The successful candidate should understand the importance of presentation, service culture, employee engagement and maintaining high standards across the business.

Reporting Structure

The position will report to senior management or the designated HR / Operations Executive.

The successful candidate will work closely with

• Senior Management

• Store Managers

• Café and Hospitality Managers

• Finance and Payroll

• Recruitment Partners

• Employees across all operational sites

Key Performance Areas

Performance will be measured against

• Successful and timely recruitment.

• Effective onboarding and employee integration.

• Accuracy and completeness of employee records.

• Employee retention and engagement.

• Effective management of HR administration.

• Consistent implementation of HR policies and procedures.

• Timely resolution of employee relations matters.

• Compliance with labour legislation and internal requirements.

• Effective support provided to operational and store management.

• Continuous improvement of HR processes.

Working Environment

This role operates within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and customer-focused environment across high-end fashion, retail and café operations.

The successful candidate must be comfortable working with diverse teams, managing multiple priorities and being actively involved in the day-to-day people requirements of the business.

This is an excellent opportunity for an HR Assistant, HR Coordinator or experienced HR Manager who is passionate about people, operational excellence and building a strong